Welcome to the Children’s School Family!  We look forward to getting to know everyone and to working closely to explore new possibilities for enhancing each child’s educational experiences.  From research in cognitive psychology, we know that learning is most effective 1) when it connects to prior experience, 2) when the concepts and skills are taught explicitly, 3) when connections between concepts are emphasized, and 4) when learners practice applying concepts in many diverse contexts.  For these reasons, we are beginning to introduce some of the central concepts for our Art & Artists unit, using specific vocabulary, as opportunities arise.  We invite you to join us in this process by beginning to notice the art around you and make connections with the following introductory concepts.  Consider a wide variety of art forms, including painting, drawing, print-making, collage, sculpture, ceramics, weaving, photography, etc. All art is composed of essential elements, the simplest of which are lines, colors, shapes, and textures.  These elements can be combined in an infinite number of ways to represent a particular subject, create an intentional design, express an emotion, provoke thought, etc.

We encourage each child to view herself as an artist, and we will be talking about children’s creations using the same vocabulary that we use when discussing the work of renowned artists.  At home, you can encourage creation by providing a range of intriguing materials, basic instruction regarding safe use and storage, and little direction beyond that.  There are also many opportunities to explore art in the community.  My recent favorite is Phipps Conservatory’s exhibit of Chihuly glass sculptures throughout the gardens.  This exhibit would be excellent for sharing with children because the pieces are big and bold, yet are displayed in ways that create a huge scavenger hunt throughout the indoor and outdoor conservatory spaces.  Families will have a chance to identify straight, curved, curled, and pointed lines, colors spanning the rainbow, shapes of all sorts, and even glass that is interestingly textured.  I’ve included a few of the photos from my recent visit below and encourage you to share yours with us.  I look forward to talking with you about your art experiences, and about any other ways that we can strengthen the children’s learning through effective home-school connections.