Change Collages!

Inspired by the first grade concept Change, and the Eric Carle author study happening in the classroom, each first grader made two "Eric Carle Inspired" collages during art class. These collages were created with hand painted paper, made by the entire first grade community.  They were based on a change each student found important; thinking about what it looked like before and after the change occurred. After the collages were complete, they wrote about this change in the classroom. It was a lot of thoughtful and fun work! Read the descriptions...seriously. I am particularly fond of the pencil.

Frog Song and Fox Sightings

Taking a lovely walk around the pond last weekend, there were many frogs singing their song loudly on the lily pads. I was lucky enough to catch one in action!

And if you can believe it, I continue to see a neighborhood fox. I am super siked every time a sighting occurs. Sometimes this happens in our yard, or the neighbors yard, or sometimes it's crossing the street on our way home from work. Any which way I get, I am so excited and stare as long as the fox allows.  Usually the fox moves too fast to catch a picture, but this time it was just staring us down. I snuck in a quick shot before it was gone.

And if all that wasn't enough, this spring the fox had babies. Amazing.  Little fox running in the yard. A baby fox is actually called a Kit. O the wonderful things you learn (and see) when living in the woods!  If you look closely you can see one run by the shed in the back of our yard.

Baby Swans, Chicks and Butterflies, oh my!

...or should I say cygnets, were born this week at the bottom of our street! I am in love!

 

...and many chicks were hatched in the first grade classrooms!  o boy do I love chick season!

tweet tweet tweet.

...and the caterpillar's are creating their chrysalis as we speak!

I have been raising three of my own. Caterpillars that is. Honestly, it has been so fascinating to watch them grow. They started as a tiny spec you could hardly see.  Then slowly they got bigger and bigger, getting fuzzy, growing legs, and then..they started forming their chrysalis!  I can't wait for them to turn into butterflies so they can roam free in our yard!  This experience has inspired me to start a butterfly garden this weekend...insanely fun!

Earth Art!

During the opening and closing performances of the Seussical, the parents so kindly gave the teachers involved very beautiful and very large bouquets of flowers.  So so pretty.  I LOVE flowers. I noticed a few days ago how many were dying and dropping petals all over.  It became messy and a bit overwhelming.  Instead of throwing them away I decided I was going to make some kind of flower art piece.  I thought about it on our ride home from work yesterday, and had a vision of radiating circles.  And WOW..this was fun!  The colors, the smell, the textures..it was a lovely sensory experience.  I must do this with old flowers from now on! It was built on top of our new turquoise table. Even though it won't last, as most Earth Art can't, the pictures document..and will allow this experience to last forever!

2012 SUMMER CAMP

SUMMER CAMP on the SUN PORCH
Register Now for the finest Visual Arts camp this summer!
June 25-29  (Mon-Fri)   9:30am-1:30pm
July 9-13     (Mon-Fri)   9:30am-1:30pm
July 16-20   (Mon-Fri)   9:30am-1:30pm

Summer Camp on the Sun Porch offers quality art instruction to children ages 5-12 through an exploration of a rich variety of art techniques and processes. From the ancient art of Japanese brush painting to modern recycled wood sculpture, students will learn about influential artists and the materials and styles that made them famous. Inspired by the artists and materials introduced throughout the week, students will build artistic knowledge through creative, age appropriate learning experiences.

Sun Porch Studio’s art instructors are experienced professional Columbia University graduates. As dedicated full-time art educators in K-12 private schools, Eleana and Mary Jo are passionate about teaching and strive to create a comfortable, creative environment where children feel confident and eager to explore various art mediums and techniques. Both Eleana and Mary Jo have studied overseas at the world-renowned preschools of Reggio Emilia, Italy, and experienced first-hand how language, environment and access to tools can empower children to become life-long learners.
To successfully make each day a meaningful experience for young artists, students are organized into two age groups: ages 5-8 and 9-12. Young Explorers (ages 5-8) and Creativity Seekers (ages 9-12) engage in separate developmentally appropriate art activities during studio time and art history, and join together for morning welcome, lunch, athletics, and reflective activities at the end of the day.  Summer Camp on the Sun Porch will be a memorable experience for any child interested in the visual arts.
Below is a brief explanation of daily activities as well as an example schedule. View our Pinterest board for a sneak peak into our creative plans.
Art History: Weekly and daily activities are centered around art mediums, techniques and professional artists. Students discuss the life and style of artists and create works of art inspired by their style or art technique.
Nature Drawing: Each day all students engage in nature drawing to build strong observational drawing skills and to promote awareness of the natural beauty outdoors and how art and science often go hand in hand. Students may have the opportunity to visit local nature preserves or outdoor landmarks for on-location nature drawing/painting. Parents are welcome to visit students at work and enjoy the scenic art setting.
Athletics: Each day all ages take part in athletics to promote physical wellness, cooperation and coordination.
Studio Time: All ages engage in studio time everyday. Students will be immersed in a variety of art techniques and mediums such as drawing/painting, sculpture, collage, recycled art, printmaking and fiber arts.
Friday Art Exhibition: Each Friday, students work together to create an art display of their art creations. An Exhibition is held at 1pm for parents and friends to view the creativity and learning that transpired throughout the week.

                   




Below is an example schedule of an artful day on the Sun Porch:
Creativity Seekers Ages 9-12:

9:30 am	Morning welcome and daily nature drawing
9:50 am	Art history and exploratory art technique
10:50 am	snack and art games
11 am	Art studio time/art theme experience
12 pm	Walk to the beach, athletics
12:30 pm	Lunch/walk back to Sun Porch
1pm	Portfolio prep and daily reflective activity
1:30 pm	Dismissal

Young Explorers Ages 5-8:

9:30 am	Morning welcome and daily nature drawing
9:50 am	Art history, story and exploratory art
10:50 am	snack and art games
11 am	Art studio time/art theme experience
12 pm	Walk to the beach, athletics
12:30 pm	Lunch/walk back to Sun Porch
1pm	Functional crafts and reflective activity
1:30 pm	Dismissal

Summer Camp on the Sun Porch will be held at 18 Hillside Road, Stony Brook, NY 11790.
One Week Session: $250.00. Siblings receive %10 discount (All materials and snacks included. Students are responsible for a brown bag lunch.)
To register and for more information, email Mary Jo at sunporchartstudio@gmail.com or call 631.379.8068