Artful Learning: CO Kindergarten Collaboration for "You're Wonderful"

My Author-Illustrator school visits are always the highlight of every month. I LUV each and every one of them: from north to south! This is year-twenty, for me visiting schools, so I've been part of some fairly amazing teacher-energy-and-enthusiasm on behalf of students, over the last couple of decades. 

My visit to Castle Rock, CO last week was in a category all unto itself! We have been plotting and scheming behind the scenes for nearly a year. Our plans really got focused over this past summer and it was such a thrill to see all of our brainstorming in effect. 

This is what a superlative effort looks like with 60 Kindergarten children, 2 K teachers, 8 parent volunteers and numerous staff and administrators onlooking and supporting our effort.  Our plans were to take the entire morning block of time from 8:45 to 11:20 for our artist residency. {This year due to budget cuts, Castle Rock has returned to a half-day program for their K-kiddos. The one section of p.m. kinders joined us in the morning.}

When I walked into the school library, I was greeted by these two photo backdrops. Seriously hard to contain my excitement at this point. Our goal was to photograph each student holding the iPad, with a typed sentiment about what makes them 'wonderful.' Joanne knew that the app "Big Words" would be perfect! 

Before I could click my heels, my hostess the incredible Joanne Emmons joined me! 

I've learned that I need to get a picture of 'us' before all of the fun starts to unfold. 

VOILA! 

My cyber-penpal becomes real! 

Having emailed numerous times over the summer to get our ducks in a row, 

and one lengthy/chatty phone call..... it seemed like we had known each other forever. 

When Joanne brought her 'teacher bag' and plunked it down with a thud, 

I knew we were kindred spirits! 

What are the odds?!?!?

Joanne and Meadow View Elementary

are now in their third year of participation in the 

ARTFUL LEARNING 

program.... a national approach to an arts infused curriculum, 

sponsored by the Leonard Bernstein Foundation.  

One of only twenty schools in this country to use this model, 

needless to say, 

I was thrilled to have my work integrated into Joanne's teaching over the past year.   

This floor to ceiling sized quilt was the product of last year's Kinders.

It served as our backdrop on Wednesday.

Each child made two duplicate squares on fabric: 

one was saved for the school's collaborative quilt above, 

the second was sewn into one of 6 lap quilts donated to an area nursing home. 

We had decided that we would launch our morning together,

with an hour 'formal' (dare I use that term) 

author/illustrator presentation. 

We sang. We danced. We signed. We laughed. 

This much I get to do repeatedly! 

I like to get my presentations started with my classic, 

"Glad I'm at School Today!" 

We compared my quilted fabric 'illustrations' 

to their representations in my picture book.

The student art project that Joanne and I designed together, 

was loosely based on my graphic designs. 

So we spoke briefly about how I chose bright colors - 

that made each other 'pop' when placed together.  

Our art time later in the morning would focus on this, 

my first picture book, 

"You're Wonderful." 

Yes. "You're Wonderful" and my other traditional picture books are available in my TeachersPayTeachers shop. 

There is also a digital download version of the song, instrumental and sign language.

I keep all of my 'surprises' in my polka-dotted suit case. 

Part of the fun, is always to introduce some 'novelty' to the program. 

Behold the rare: FLOOGLE WOOGLE BUGLE! 

One of my goals when working with children, 

is to have as many as possible join me on 'the stage.' 

As we conclude their participation, 

I always have my 'captains' take a bow 

and receive the applause from the audience. 

At the conclusion of our first hour together, 

the kinders went back to their room for a snack break. 

That fifteen minutes was just long enough for the mommy volunteer squad to jump into action. 

We had determined that the children would create their own graphic quilt square, 

while standing around the library tables. 

We allowed an hour for this to unfold.

Parent volunteers had already cut scads of scrap book paper into 2" squares. 

The paper Joanne chose was both vibrant and textured!

We wrangled the tables and then distributed the squares.  

She had also prepared a 'nine-patch' grid for each student ahead of time.

Glue sticks for the adhering process.

When all of the students returned to the library, 

the building tech woman had wired up the Osmo projector for a quick geometry demonstration. 

Joanne was able give a simple demonstration of how one square could be cut into two rectangles. 

She also demonstrated how a second square could be cut on the diagonal to create two triangles.

Let the geometry begin! 

Take a look at the set up around each table. 

The excitement is building! 

Next we got the grids distributed to each student. 

{We did remember to have each student write their name on the back of their square.}

And the 'puzzle-building' began immediately!

Many started by selected a corner square or two.

Once the scissors were distributed..... 

the fun really got underway! 

It was fascinating to see how each student approached their assignment! 

While the vast majority of students were focused on their quilt square creation, 

several students at a time were brought over to the photo backdrop station. 

There were adults to capture their 'wonderful' words and sentiment 

and then photograph each student. 

So now in addition to the Arts and Geometry, 

we are also involving a language Arts portion to our morning. 

Self-reflection.

Introspection. 

Affirmation. 

This next artist had a mom volunteer present. 

I was given direct permission to photograph and share her smile! 

BTW: She has a heritage of quilting in her bloodline. 

I swear I've seen something similar to her creation at Quilt National! 

My favorite part of AUTHENTIC art with children is their enthusiasm, their unique creations, the fact that every creation is genuine, is 'correct' and is full of energy. 

Every student KNOWS that their work is their own. It is independent. It is all as original as they are. They are so happy to be allowed to work with all of those 'loose parts.' There's so much play as they assemble their work.

Joanne being an over-achiever, 

had also devised a plan for the early-finishers! 

She had copied off an awesome giraffe profile to be colored 

and turned into a giraffe hat. 

At this point we had the photo-booth, 

the quilt squares 

and now the giraffe hats 

all underway at the same time. 

This morning was not a morning for the timid. 

Sixty children working in the same space creates quite a din. 

There's a mess. 

A happy mess, but a mess none-the-less. 

That's evidence that WORK is underway! 

Here's a sneak peak at the ultimate geometric 

COLLABORATIVE QUILT 

that will be built on the large 'table paper' used for the photo booth. 

I have been assured that I will get ample photos of the final construction. 

The photo booth photographs will be the 'border' 

around the bright, bold squares.

I can envision it in my mind. 

I promise to upload the final photos just as soon as I receive them.

LOOK LOOK LOOK LOOK LOOK LOOK LOOK LOOK

What a Herculean effort, by an amazing team! 

I hope that this installation remains on display for quite some time. It is quite an inspiration for what even the youngest children can accomplish together, during the first month of a new school year. 

Some of the children had barely turned five and are still learning the basics of scissors and glue sticks. 

"Together we're better!" 

When all of the quilt squares and photos were complete, 

(we had allowed an hour for that portion of the morning) 

we all gathered together for a final Author Q&A session. 

It takes a village to pull off something of this magnitude. 

Here's the Kinder-team in reflection mode, after dismissal. 

I have a crazy cool quilt blog RoundUP article from earlier years. 

If you liked this article, you definitely want to go back in time! 

There are dozens and dozens of earlier 'quilt' ideas.

Inspiration meets perspiration! 

I have written at length about 

AUTHENTIC ART 

previously. 

This particular article is a terrific overview of my thoughts.