children of different ages working together

Ms. Tremblay, a wonderful teacher colleague and friend suggested we do this and I had NO IDEA it would be such a hit. 2nd graders are seen helping peek students trace their hands and their feet to make turkeys.

2nd Graders LOVED this experience so much. 

Love My Murch Parents!!

I just had to put out a huge thank you to Ms. Lisa (Lilly's mom) and Ms. Galen (Oliver's mom) again for going out and getting me various cans of spray paint for our stenciling class with 5th graders. I also want to send a huge thank you to all the parents who wrote me asking if I still needed spray paint. Wow!! I love my Murch parents. I do not take all your support for granted....not for a minute. Have a wonderful weekend!

What I do with all those egg cartons?

I must thank all the Murch parents who have been dropping off recycled 'supplies' for the art room. Here is a sample of what I do with the egg cartons. I cut them so there are 6 cups per palette. Then use black, white, red, blue, yellow and brown......

Keep them coming!!

I love my Murch Parents

I love my Murch Parents. I come to work everyday to find bags of recycled items waiting for me. They are like mini presents and they absolutely make the art program work at its best. below, dozens of yogurt cups. We use these for all sorts of projects. We use them for paint, for glue, for construction projects....and the list goes on.

Thank you all.....

I am also posting an updated list of recycled items I need for this semester right after this post.

Thank YOU REGINA!!

Regina Holliday deserves a BIG hug and thank you....she came in yesterday and in one hour helped me straighten out my classroom.....She is an organizing WIZZZ! Love you Regina! ....My room has not looked this neat in ages!! You are what makes a school a feel more like a 'community'!!!

Ordered New Shelves for the Art Room

Thanks to our amazingly organized and hardworking HSA, now I will have more floor space in the art room. I just ordered 2 double shelves from Ikea. I need them most to place drying large sculptures and tall gallon paint and glue containers. When they arrive I would love some help putting them together.....in exchange, I'll make you a batch of delicious banana muffins.....

Thank you HSA....

The HSA has recently bought the art room 3 display panels like the one you see above that will greatly enhance the way art is taught at Murch. Children will now be able to hang their 2D art when done and having visual access to every one's work will allow for more furtive discussions about process, specific skills they see utilized and learn from each other's observations and comments. The displays are very light and have wheels which means they could serve as temporary wall or art displays anywhere in the building. Thank you HSA!!

My next task in getting a state-of-the-art visual arts program in place at Murch is improving the dire storage situation in the room. As it's apparent to all parents who have come in to volunteer, the classroom is overwhelmed by too many needed supplies and too few placed to put them on. Please check back soon for more information on my progress in this area. In the meantime, of you have any extra shelf furniture or bookcase you no longer need, I'd love to have them....Aesthetics is not as important as sturdiness. I can always repaint them to freshen them up.....

Again, thanks HSA.....!!

Thank you parents!

I tell people over and over again about how amazing the parents are at Murch. I have been getting a steady set of 2-3 parents a day coming in to help daily in the art room. I am very grateful to these parents, and grandparents for coming in and rolling up their sleeves and risking getting dirty.....I just hope you all enjoy yourselves as much as I do. Your children too glow when they see you come through the doors and I feel it's most important for them to know that we all are just a big community and enjoy working together.

I also know there are parents out there who tell me they feel guilty not coming in to help mote. I am a working parent too and neither my husband or I have much time to go to see my son's class either. Which is why I think this blog and other forms of social technologies are so important in maintaining this community. It keeps you in the loop and a conversation starter with your child and you can always send in your recyclable contributions, which are just as important.......

Thanks again...my heart is warmed by your support and enthusiasm.

Thank You!!!

I LOVE my parents at Murch.

I come back from vacation....and in my art studio I find not one, not two, but various boxes and bags of recycled gifts such as containers, cardboard, art books...etc. Thank you for making my Monday a very special welcome back.....

A huge thank you!!!

A huge thank you to all parents who have been coming in to volunteer in the art room. Another huge thank you to Justine (K mom) for donating a huge plant for the art room. And a last thank you to all the parents who religiously bring me goodies throughout the week.......I very much appreciate every one of you!!!

Thank You for the Pillows/ Pillow Inserts

I must thank the parents that have been dropping off pillows and pillow inserts for our pillows project in 3rd grade! You too can drop off your donations any weekday before 9am or after 3:15pm. If you need a current list of donation/trash items needed, please click here.

A HUGE Thank You To All Families Who Have Brought donations

I am absolutely in love with my parents at Murch. I put out a list of items I need and the next day families are parading in the art room with bags and BAGS of goodies. Although I cannot thank you individually I wanted to send out a HUGE thank you to these families. Your support has a direct and positive impact on the art program.

On that note, here is my current list of trash to treasure items I need for the coming weeks...

* cardboard, any size

* meat trays

* Wooden pieces (for sculptures)

* flashlights that work

* tiles

* wooden boards

* yogurt cups

* old digital camera with charger (I am aiming to have enough for a class)

* old bedsheets (solid color)

* shiny paper of any kind

* old museum catalogs/postcards/calendars