Notes from the (New) Art Room

Located on the same hall as the church offices, the art room is a happy place. The children like the new set-up. It is easier to get to our new room from all classrooms, and so nice that we can be closer to everything.

Our first class in October centered on a favorite book, Little Blue and Little Yellow, by Leo Lionni. The two friends, who are dots of color, hug each other and make another color. The children tried this out by making a blue play dough dot and a yellow play dough dot, and mixed them in a “hug”. This was a visual, tactile and physical experience. The children needed to use their hand and finger muscles to successfully fold, mix, and blend the play dough.

The second book we read was Little Hoot, by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. It was about a little owl who wants to go to bed early and not stay up late. Collaged owls made of patterned paper are on the bulletin board and hanging on the walls of the stair tower. The children used glue sticks to put their owls together out of pre-cut parts, choose eye colors, and drew in the eye “pupils”. This was a good introduction to composing a collage, and using a glue stick successfully!

Kindergarten students have started their Egyptian-inspired project, making a mini mummy model and a sarcophagus. Ask your kindergartner how we made the structure, or armature, for the mummy. A covering of plaster-imbued fabric will be put over this armature at our next class. I have given the kindergartners sketchbooks that they will add to throughout the year. It’s lovely to be with all of my old and new BH friends!

LG

Music Notes

The year has begun with lots of singing and dancing in music class. We are singing many seasonal songs, having just finished Halloween songs like “The Smallest Witch” and “Old Mother Witch.”

Now we are singing songs about falling leaves, songs for the harvest and Thanksgiving, and songs from American Indians. The children are already asking for the “Duck Dance,” a song from the Seminole Indians of Florida. This was a favorite song and dance last year!

We play instruments each week. We’ve played rhythm sticks, resonator bells, hand drum, and egg shakers so far this year. The children have met puppet friends the pig, the frog, and the witch. We like to sing along with them.

I am sure you are hearing some of our music class songs at home!

LB