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MANSFIELD

For Qualters Middle School student Ashley Goverman, sitting at a desk with a worksheet isn't the most interesting way to learn math.

But sprawled on the floor of an artist's studio figuring out with fellow classmates how to read an architectural draft and transferring a design for the backdrop of a scene from "Annie," that's fun, said the 13-year-old.

So is a science lesson in which students determine the degree of flammability of theatrical and stage materials, and a social studies lesson about the Depression where students learn by plugging themselves, literally, into pictures and political posters via a computer.

The lessons are all part of a first-time effort by Qualters drama teacher Jessica Strunin to teach concepts needed by students for MCAS in a way that's artistic and "cool." She has been joined in the endeavor by Qualters math teacher Jennifer Belanger and artist Laura McPherson, whose Providence studio the 16 high honors students used to create the Warbucks' Mansion backdrop over the course of five days.

The project combines theater, art, math, science, history, English and technology along with working with local artists to form a large project, one that will be on display during the Qualters' production of "Annie" on Dec. 15 and 16.

In addition to the backdrop, the seventh- and eighth-grade students are putting together a slide show to accompany the overture to "Annie." To do that, Strunin said, students conducted research on the 1920s and 1930s and the Depression, the period in which the show is set. They are now taking pictures of themselves and, working on laptops purchased through the PTO, using PhotoShop to insert themselves into that time period. They also painted a "green" wall as a background for the photos.

"They have to remember not to smile and take off the jewelry," Strunin pointed out.

"I've been working on the drop and on the posters," said Zach Banks, 13. "It's been interesting."

"It's fun to see everything come along," added Christopher Resh, also 13.

On a recent day, he and Banks were gathered at the laptops. Resh is particularly interested in developing the slide show.

"It's using everything I've learned. There's the sense of accomplishment," he said.

The course includes a $75 fee that helps cover the cost of the studio and supplies. The school system is paying for bus transportation to Providence. Other teachers are also accommodating the students by incorporating the project into other studies. For example, the French teacher is having students make a presentation on their project in French, Strunin said. Teachers and students also worked together to ensure they were up to date on the classwork the days they were at the studio.

Students will be required to submit a portfolio, including research about the time period, which they will be graded on, she said. Goverman is one of two students in the course who also has a role in "Annie."

"I'm in the play, but this is a different view of it," she said, taking a quick break from painting a potted palm on the backdrop. "It's so much fun. It's a great experience."

The project changed 12-year-old Colleen Copley's concept of learning.

"I was hesitant to do this because I thought we would be doing this sitting down," she said, paint can in hand. "I didn't know how we would incorporate it into different subjects."

Now, well into the project, she says "it's a great way to do math, science and social studies. It's really cool."

Students are also creating posters, including a 1933 New Yorker magazine cover, as part of the set.

For the Warbucks Mansion backdrop, students used the Pythagorean theorem to create a grid on which to work, which Belanger called "impressive."

"Working it to the exact thousandths...I was very proud," she said.

Belanger said it also brought a new perspective to her teaching: "To see them really get into the history of the era and the mood of it - as a math teacher, that doesn't usually occur."

"It has been amazing how much we can pull into it, and the students were self-motivated," she said.

Strunin posted daily updates on the students' progress on her Web site. She said she hopes this can be an annual offering. In the meantime, the students will be returning to Qualters to finish up and hang the backdrop.

SUSAN LaHOUD can be reached at 508-236-0398 or at slahoud@thesunchronicle.com.