Spring Has Sprung!

 

 

Well almost anyways. Our calendar says spring begins on March 20^th. Thankfully we have started to feel some “spring” in the air. (Sorry to those who are still dealing with snow and freezing weather!) It has been cold in the mornings, but warmer in the afternoon. We have even seen some crocuses beginning to bloom. YAY!

 Our students are also feeling the “spring” in the air and enjoying longer outside play time. They have also been a little crazy inside too! Fortunately, we have been keeping spring excitement somewhat contained by investigating signs of the season of spring through nature walks, books and activities.  We hope some of our ideas will help bring spring to your classroom too!

We also want to share pictures of Ireland in the Spring. Ms. G is our awesome photographer who has the gift of capturing the beauty of Europe. 

 

 

 

 

 

Books:

Love how the kids moved my books down to accommodate their own masterpieces!

 

  

 

Activities: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                             

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Celebrating Youth Art Month!

Yes, Paris is the city of love for romantic reasons, but we love the city for it’s art and buildings! Paris is a cultural mecca for all people, big and small, and at one time, we were able to go on study trips to Paris. Yes! Taking a bus load of elementary school children to Paris! Unfortunately those days are past, but, our guest blogger this week is a former art teacher who taught during those days and sponsored several trips to Paris with students. She was and is an awesome art teacher who is passionate about art education in the schools, and rightly so.

Ms. C in her van Gogh outfit while teaching about his life before heading to the Musee de Orsay to view the impressionist's exhibits.

PARIS, I thought as an elementary art teacher, was a dream. It did materialize with elementary art students at BES!! Some regard art education as a frill while the creative activities are of great importance to child development.  The benefits of art include enhancing motor skills (the use of scissors develops the dexterity for writing), developing language (talking about works of art including those of their own), encouraging inventiveness and promoting cultural awareness.  Studies have also shown that there is a connection between the arts and improved academic performance. The fine arts also provide non-academic benefits including promoting self esteem, aesthetic awareness and motivation.  Art is a major language of childhood and is extremely important to their development and helps them become more imaginative and responsible adults.

 

                    Student posing for class to draw.

            The buses were named after famous artists

 

                  Student in front of the Eifel Tower

                  Classes in front of the Eifel Tower

Pictures by Ms. G – another art teacher bestie! (Wow, I’m sooooo lucky to have not one but two Art teachers who are in my top 5 favorite!!!!)

A free picture slideshow by Smilebox

Art work by Ms. G’s art classes

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