Wrap-up Party

***Next week's session is going to require a bit more planning on mom's part so please read this as soon as possible!***

What a fun year we have had together!

Time for our wrap up of all the artists we have studied. Our next meeting will be focused on reviewing what we have learned and making a timeline so that the children can see how these artists influenced each other. This would be a great time to invite Dad or Grandma to see what your little ones have been up to.

The children will be given time to "present" their favorite piece of work to the group, so please allow them time at home to go through their creations. This does not need to be something that they made at Sketch - it can be any piece of art that they are proud of. (*I have a timid child, so I understand that this may be very intimidating to some children - this is not a requirement and children will not be pressured to do anything they are uncomfortable with.)

For this session you will need to bring:

• A SNACK to share (no need to stress - Oreos or apples count!)
• Your child's favorite ARTWORK
• One timeline for each child - I highly suggest that you print this on cardstock
• One copy of artist figures for each child (regular weight paper, color printing would be nice)
• One copy of artists' works for each child (regular weight paper, color printing would be nice)
• Tape
• Crayons
• Glue stick
• Scissors

See you Tuesday, May 10th at 6:30PM!

Monet Extension Activities

It is easy to get fully absorbed in the beautiful paintings by Monet. Thankfully, there are many online exhibits to lead you through his works. InterMonet will walk you through many collections. While you are at the site, don't miss Monet's brief autobiography; fascinating reading.

You may also want to look for Katie Meets the Impressionists by James Mayhew at your local library. This book beautifully draws children into the works of Monet and other impressionists through the fun tale of a little girl who quite literally climbs into the artists' work to gather flowers for her grandmother.

Monet's fascination with painting the same subject repeatedly makes his work fun to analyze. Take a look at the many variations of his Haystack series. Can your child determine what season and time of day it is based on the colors and shadows?

Monet's work is so beloved that you can easily spot reproductions in your daily life. Keep your eyes open and you will find more than just prints in the craft supply store. His paintings are often reproduced on umbrellas, tote bags, and more.

Try making a Monet inspired sponge painting using the instructions at KinderArt. Take your paints outside to get the best natural light for your subject, or try copying one of Monet's famous works.

There are lots of great coloring pages of Monet's work. Take a look at these:

Picnic

Parasol

Garden (lots of detail in this one)

We have used lots of different art supplies during the course of the year. Try doing the same coloring page in pastels, paints, and crayons. Compare your results. Which is your favorite? Which looks most like the work of Monet?

I am looking forward to seeing all of you at our art show next month where we will get to put all of these great artist in order while we create our timeline. Don't forget to bring in your favorite artwork to share.

April - Monet

This month we creating cards for soldiers serving far from home.

Parents, if your children are anything like mine, they like to be warned ahead of time when a routine changes. We are going to be doing things a big differently this week. This is the one time that I will ask the children if they would like to donate their original work to our community service project. The kids will be allowed to create several cards. They may choose to keep one, all, or none of their works. This is completely voluntary. We will still take photos of their work and any children who wish to take their original art home can write their message to the soldiers on blank cards that I will provide and I will add the photos of their artwork later.

Also, if your child struggles with handwriting but wants to write their own message, you may want to work with them ahead of time. They can bring in an index card or two with a simple message ("Come home soon" or "Thank you" would do nicely) and their signature to paste into their card.

We will be studying

Claude Monet

(pronounced moe-NAY)

French

1840-1926

In preparation for class on Tuesday, please print the image below and place it where your child will see it often.

On the Bank of the Seine, 1868, Art Institute of Chicago

For a printable image, click here.

You will need to bring the following supplies:

• One paper plate or paint pallet per person
• One 9x12 sheet of light construction paper per person
• Four or more cotton swabs per person
• Paper towels
• Baby wipes
• Tempera paint in red, yellow, and blue
• Paintbrush
• Crayons
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Optional: Index card(s) with pre-written message to a soldier

See you on April 12th at 6:30!

Library Bookmarks

Homer Extension Activities

Isn't it is amazing to think that such a talented artist lived right here in New England?

Winslow Homer's life was truly fascinating. Check your local library to see if you can borrow a copy of Winslow Homer: An American Original - it is an old but fun movie. My husband even enjoyed this one.

Sit with your child and look through several of Homer's works. Some are rather thought provoking. The Gulf Stream, which we discussed in class, shows a man in great danger. You may want to discuss Psalm 56:3-4 "When I am afraid I will trust in you. In God whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid."Remember our discussion of contrast? Take a look at these two works by Homer. They are very similar. Do you think that the use of contrast made a difference between Sailing the Catboat and Breezing Up? - How many other differences can you find?

Looking for a hands-on project? Try learning to draw like the school children of Winslow Homer's time. Or take on his favorite medium, watercolors! Don't forget to use your crayons this month. Crayola always has great ideas at their site.

The National Gallery of Art has created a fun printable document with lots of games and info about Winslow Homer. Get it at: www.nga.gov/kids/homerscoop.pdf

Did you know that Winslow Homer was buried only about an hour from here? If you happen to be near Cambridge this month, take a quick look at his gravesite in Mount Auburn Cemetery. (While you are there you might be interested in seeing the burial sites for Nathaniel Bowditch, Oliver Wendell Holmes, and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, among others.)

Don't forget to stop by your library this month to see your artwork on the new bookmarks that they will be giving away!

March - Homer

This month's featured artist is:

Winslow Homer

(pronounced HOE-mer)

1836-1901

American

In preparation for class please print Homer's work entitled Breezing Up (1876, National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.) and place it in a location where your child will see it often.

Click here for a printable version.

We are going to be studying color value during this class. Please choose to either bring shades of blue OR shades of gray paper as described in the supply list below. It would be best if you did not mix the two colors.

For the next class you will need:

Out of Light Gray (or light blue) construction paper

- One 9"x12" sheet

- One 4.5"x6" sheet

Out of Black (or dark blue) construction paper

- One 5"x9" sheet

- One 7"x9" sheet

Out of White construction paper

- one 6"x9" sheet

Black (or dark blue) Crayon - One per person

Glue (white or glue-stick)

Scissors - One per person

See you on March 8th at 6:30!

Gift Boxes for Town Employees

The artwork that the children created is ready to decorate the tops of the boxes that you will deliver to local town employees. You can choose to either print your own artwork and attach it to the box yourself, or if it is more convenient, you may pick up the artwork at New Hope Christian Fellowship.

Click here for a printable version - you may need to re-size the image to fit your box.

Suggestions for gift boxes:

Homemade

Get your child involved and bake up some of your favorite sweets. Cookies and cakes are always appreciated. Rice-krispie treats have an easy recipe that kids can make in the microwave without much adult assistance. *Note: it is much easier to share if treats are wrapped in individual serving sizes.

Thanks a million

Let the employees know just how much you appreciate their service by allowing your child to truly be a “kid in a candy store” when they pick out candies to fill their box. Be sure to including treats like Hundred Grand candy bars, chocolate coins, and candies wrapped in gold foil such as Worther’s Originals.

Healthy

Treat boxes don’t necessarily mean junk food. Healthy treats are appreciated too. Take your child with you to the produce section and allow them to choose their favorite fruits, and nuts. Add a few granola bars and a handwritten note of thanks.

There are lots of places to choose from for delivery sites. Consider visiting your town dump, the library, fire station, police, town offices, the department of transportation (they keep your roads plowed), or any other public office.

Enjoy!