Forgotten but Found

Last spring the kids and I planted many things...herbs, lettuces, strawberries and sweet potatoes. While we enjoyed the spring fruits and veggies, our pot of sweet potatoes went unattended throughout the summer. How surprised we were when someone noticed one of the sweets pushing through the top layer of soil. The pot was heavy but the bounty huge...20 or so beautiful sweets...roasted  and eaten by all. 

Performing is Brave

I've always been a behind the scenes, stage crew sort of girl...I'm in awe of performers, finding it very brave to put a piece of your soul out for all to see...Aidan spends many a lunchtime playing guitar in my room making his performance of We're Going to be Friends by White Stripes all the more special to me. Bravo! 

Art in the Violin Shop

Earlier this week I visited with my friends Julianna Bucanan and her mom Elizabeth Vander Ver Shaak at Elizabeth's shop Mt. Airy Violins and Bows. It is a magical storefront/workshop and if you are in need of a string instrument rental or purchase, the place to go. It's been a long time since I visited the shop and I enjoyed my tour of the expanded 3 story space. One of my favorite discoveries was a personal connection...as I entered the 3rd floor rental room I saw the above portrait of Eluzabeth. This artwork was painted by Elizabeth's son Gabe when he was 9 or 10. It was part of an extensive PLS art project done in collaboration with Bryn Mawr College entitled Picturing Women. Elizabeth was Gabe's chosen hero. This project holds a special place in my heart and it's exciting to see that the portraits live on. 

Oh What a Difference an Hour Can Make

On Friday afternoons Jane and I work together, offering the 15 students in her Group the choice of cooking an afternoon treat or working on an art project. This week we focused on cookies...as some students mixed Snickerdoodle batter others sewed felt cookies topped with glued felt chips or sewn colored beads. This activity, designed as a warm-up for a more extensive sewing project was initially really hard for some of Our younger students. Threading needles, tying knots, sewing in and out with little stitches and no tangles is a lot to think about! Oh what a good job they did...I celebrate their focus, perseverance, their willingness to try even though it was hard and their collective joy as hard became easy...Oh what the difference an hour can make! 

Debby makes everything a little bit brighter...

Our friend Debby Pollak joined us for Kids' Care 22, as we worked in 5 Mixed-Up groups to create 7 foot collages inspired by Romare Beardan's Block series. Life is always a little brighter when Debby is with us...mother of 3 PLS alumni, long time art teacher and my partner for Saturday Art, Debby's creative energy, generosity and exuberance are Project Learn at its best. Keep your eyes open for our finished creations at this weeks Town Meeting and then on display at Woodmere Art Museum throughout the month of November. 

I'm and Artist

"I'm a painter", exclaimed one of my students today..."If only I had a mustache"

With a little imagination, it was a request that was easy to fulfill. 

It's Better than Broken

There's a bench in our school yard...it's missing the middle wooden slat...and to the adult brain, it is broken, waiting for repair. To a five year old, however, this bench is Better than Broken, it is the perfect place for a morning snack with a friend. 

Harvesting the Watermelon

We harvested a watermelon yesterday...it's been growing in the backyard garden since early May...lovingly watered and tended all summer by one of our co-oping families. Was it ripe? None of us were sure but the whole school was outside to find out. Prepared with 3 extra melons, just in case, we cut into our homegrown fruit, which to our delighted surprise was ripe and sweet. 

Little moments like this are a big part of why I love our school. 

Staff Meeting in the Art Room

It's kind of funny being the art teacher on the first day of school...while the Group teachers are busy meeting their kids and doing first day activities, the art room is empty of action. It came alive, however, in the afternoon as the teachers had a chance to paint, previewing a project Lisa, Rebecca and I have created for our Group Skills Days next Wednesday - Friday. Responding to written clues I  prepared from a mystery picture book, we used dark colors to paint "the circle of a sun", "five rectangles in a line", three puddle shapes", and "stars dancing across the page". As our paint dried I read the book, giving context to the details we had just painted. Finally we added color...filling in shapes and backgrounds...chatting, laughing and wondering why staff meeting isn't always held in the art room.

First Day of School

I realized my school day begins long before I step into the building...I walk to school, an important, meditative part of my whole experience and today, as I walked, you could feel the world filled with "First Day" energy. There was an anticipation, a flurry, bits of nervousness as summer routines moved into fall. As I walk my senses greet the world...the coolness of the morning air, the sound of the traffic circle, a silent wave as I spy an old student waiting for the train to take him downtown. Sometimes the tiniest things take my breath away...a feather camouflaged on the sidewalk was the secret find of the day...a good look charm for the first day of school.