First Grade ALL DAY ART DAY! by Jenny

Inspired by the BNS 3rd grade Art Mix-Up Day, I planned a day of art for our class. We suspended our regular schedule and had four hour-long art sessions all day. Students rotated through the four activities taught by guest teachers, Rose (Cy’s mom) Stan (Jenny’s neighbor and local musician) and Annette (Jenny’s BF from college).

Stan’s clay workshop was the messiest, but also the most hands on and the most written about afterwards.

Annette’s leaf rubbings were also multi-step, turned out beautifully and are so seasonal! These are hanging in Arbo’s hallway now.

Rose’s printing activity was the most kid-friendly and her red, white and black prints are outside of our classroom.

My mosaic activity was the most colorful, but was also the most challenging.

Some children were frustrated by the difficulty in controlling the tiny paper squares, but the results are striking. These are also hanging outside of the classroom.

The most intriguing aspect of the day, was how engaged all of the students were, even at the end of the day. Students rose to each challenge and worked with focus and enthusiasm.

What did I learn? I learned that it is crucial that we have art in our school day, often, if not daily. I learned that my students are very talented artistically. I learned that they can focus and attend to tasks when motivated, when the challenge is just right-not overwhelming. And, I am reminded that working in small groups is something teachers ought to be able to do more often. Thanks to all of the parent volunteers who helped out and many, many thanks to our guest teachers Rose, Stan and Annette, for coming up, coming in, bringing supplies and teaching all day long, to and make this great day possible!

-Jenny