Amazing Discussion with Ms. Stephen's Class

The children has just finished exploring how shapes come together to make new designs. This was the first lessons in our quilting unit and were just about to wrap up for the day.

Usually right before we line up we do a 'gallery walk' and I give them a question to focus on as they look at each other's work. The question this time was to find one person's work that inspired them. A work that had in it an aspect of which they'd like to try out themselves if they were to do this activity again. Children raised their hands and several kids named of others' work and explained their reasons for liking their specific techniques.

I then asked, "Are there here any rights or wrongs?, if someones work did not get mentioned does that mean they did something wrong?". This question opened up a discussion about choice. It followed into a discussion of how in art, just like in music, people have different preferences. It also stemmed into a discussion about how artists and human beings in general, when confronted with others' ideas and works are often inspired to try out others' techniques. Yet, was this copying? We came to an agreement that just because one might try out a specific art technique used by another does not mean the work will at all resemble the original work. In fact, the mere fact that these 2 people are different would ensure the uniqueness of the results.

The kids felt pretty good knowing that inside them was this unique self that would always ensure a unique imprint on all their work no matter what technique they copied. The Arts is not about preparing kids to be artists (as some people who see art as somewhat peripheral might think). The Arts is about creating a learning environment where kids are given the chance to find, search, value and trust their inner voice and genuine personal choices.

To hear an amazing podcast about The Critical Role of the Arts Throughout a Whole Child Education click here.

Videos of Shorebirds- How our funds from calendar sales will make a difference

Here is a video showing how The International Bird Rescue Research Center helps seabirds affected by the Gulf Spill.

To view more videos form IBRRC go to their YouTube Channel.

The Calendars are ordered & A math contest and FREE giveaway to the winner!!

I ordered the 50 calendars this morning!!

Here is a math problem for the kids and a giveaway to the winner. The FIRST Murch family that e-mails me with the correct answer gets a free 16"x20"painting canvas and a brand new flat brush. My e-mail is Miriam.Cutelis@yahoo.com and you must identify in the e-mail the Murch child's full name, grade and teacher. The answer must be written in a full sentence. All math work MUST be done primarily by the child.

Math problem (drum roll please)

Ms. Cutelis got a great deal on the wall calendars for $10 each calendar from Shutterfly.com. She charged each person $18 for each calendar. Tax was $30 total for the entire order and shipping was free. The leftover money will go to International Bird Rescue Research Center as part of our fundraiser. How much money will we donate to the International Bird Rescue Research Center ?

Murch Afterschool Kindergarten Arts and Craft Series is FULL

Murch Kindergarten Arts and Crafts Series

SORRY, THE CLASS IS FULL.

For the kids who are in the class, please remember to send in a snack with your child. Before they begin art making, they will have their snack.

I have sent the invite and information about this afterschool opportunity to Kindergarten class teachers two days ago. Yet, in case you did not get the information, please keep reading.

This is an arts and crafts program for kids in Kindergarten at Murch led by Ms. Cutelis and Ms.Hettipola We only have 15 spaces remaining for this 10-week class and the time for the class isFridays 3:30-4:30pm starting November 5th, 2010. If your child is in Murch Extended Day or the after school language program please indicate that on the form I will send you once you sign up online. Children who are NOT in Extended day MUST be picked up at 4:30 sharp in the main school building lobby. You can reach me by cell at 516-225-3403 anytime after the class if there will be any delays. The FEE for the class is for supplies only and it's $3/day for 10 weeks, adding up to a one-time fee of $30. The fee is payable in cash or check made out to Miriam Cutelis due on the first day of class. Children who sign up online must turn in the materials fee to Ms. Cutelis OR Ms. Hettipola before starting class. Cash or check are accepted. Make the check out to Miriam Cutelis. All supplies will be ordered through School Specialty Online. If your child will be absent and is signed up for the 10-week class let us by e-mailing me at Miriam.Cutelis@yahoo.com.

SMALL Recycled items NOW needed in the art room

Dear wonderful Murch parents,

4th graders have been working hard creating self-standing 6" tall Westward Expansion paper-mache and wire figurines. They are now almost ready to dress their paper mache figurines and will be needing lots of interesting small items to make their people come alive. Below is a visual list of items we may need. If not on this list and ever in doubt, bring it in anyway. I assure you, we WILL use it!

I also want to take this opportunity to thank all the parents who take the time to collect and drop off items in the art room. Every time I see one of those donation bags it just warms my heart. Murch parents are the best. We have been using the origami papers that were donated for our quilt practice with the 2nd graders. The tubes, bowls, caps and toys have been swallowed up by the kindergartners' tall, tall balanced structure sculptures. The children by far prefer the recycled materials for they are often very varied and they are then able to further individualize their work.

capsbuttonsbroken toy pieces

buttonsbread tabsbroken jewelry partssmall gift boxes

LAST DAY TO order 2011 Shorebirds Calendar TOMORROW

Tomorrow, Friday November 5th at 4pm, is the last day to order your 2011 calendars. If you order online you have until midnight tomorrow. Click HERE to go to info and order page. These would make great gifts for family and friends for the holidays. Once the order is placed there will not be an opportunity to order another batch, this is it.....remember it goes to help a good cause and they are beautiful.

Creating Varied Cones In Preparation for Totem Poles

As a skill building activity in preparation to making our paper sculpture totem poles, children used regular copy paper to create varied cones. They were given the basics of creating a cone and then asked to tweak the formula in various ways and explore how their cones were then different.

These cone making skills will be helpful when making their totem poles. A cone could be used to make their animal eyes, ears, nozzle or beaks. Next week, children will explore various ways to manipulate paper to create fur, feathers or scales. All these skills will help children in the end create a highly skilled animal totem sculpture.

QUILT practice-2nd Grade

First, I'd like to thank the Murch parents. Without these beautiful origami paper donations from the parents, this project would not look as vibrant.

Children in 2nd grade are studying how similar shapes can be used to create designs. For this they are studying and taking a closer look at quilts. Each table was given one a different shape to work with.

For sharing, children use the rolling wall to hang their work. To be able to see their work on a wall alongside other's work is a very valuable experience. It allows them to be inspired by others' work and think of way they could improve on their own work in the future. We all benefit from experiencing work from other artists.
This artist chose to use their squares sideways and then accented their squares with smaller squares.
This artist focused on making a symmetrical design.
This artist noticed that her diamond shapes create a flower shape when glued next to one another in a circle.
Children make personal choices about their work in art. There isn't a 'right' or 'wrong' answer.

Resources for parents who might want to explore quilting at home.

for more basics of quilting videos go here--> click me.

Creating TALL, TALL sculptures with Kindergarten

Children in kindergarten are working on creating sculptures with balance in mind. The goal of this class was to build as high as possible using recycled items donated by Murch parents. They loved this project. Next week kids will be painting their tall, tall sculptures.

Children were asked to think of what they needed to be able to build taller. They soon realized that a larger base allowed for a more stable and taller structure. You too can do this project at home. All you need are recycled items and glue, lots of glue.

2nd Grade and 1/2 Grade's Side Facing Portrait Book (Lipshie)

2nd Grade and the 1/2 combo class have been working on drawing side-facing portraits (profiles). They began by drawing each other's profiles. Click here to see these practice drawings. These books can be found in your child's class. For the book each child had to illustrate (using profiles) an activity they enjoy doing with someone else.

5th Grade Wesrward Expansion Update (step 1)

In 5th grade children are making small paper mache figurines of key figurines in the Westward Expansion. Here are the initial wire sculptures before they are paper mache-ed.

Here are the kids mache-ing their figures.