20th Anniversary of Sept 11th: What is Appropriate for YOUNG Children?

Twenty years. Two decades. Time.Marches.On. for those of us who survived September 11th. Somehow, one day has stacked on top of the previous and blink your eyes it has been twenty years. We are the fortunate. There are dinner tables and conference room tables that have an empty chair. Sobering. Reality. 

What have you done with your twenty years? 

How do we acknowledge this monumental day with young children? What is appropriate? What is helpful? How do we begin a new school year, in the midst of a morphing pandemic, with new variants of reality -- when we are already exhausted beyond our human limits? 

There was an occasion where I once muttered needing a magic wand to overcome a gigantic challenge in front of hundreds and hundreds of participants and a magic wand appeared. Literally. Handed to me. There was much laugher. It gave me the courage to do the seemingly impossible in that moment. It was the resource I needed. I dug deep, took a deep breath and plowed forward. So we must find the right resource for the right situation. A magic wand of sorts. 

I have a resource for you to use with children for these days leading up to the eleventh of September, that can then be recycled for Veteran's Day with even more gusto. No kidding. You can download it today and be ready for the 10th, if your school is observing the day on Friday. Even if you download it that morning. It is that simple. It is a song. A simple 'zipper song' that rhymes and each of the four verses is only changed by one word. Simple. Resource. Patriotic. Downloadable.

It is patriotic. It is all about our flag. Our country. Being grateful. It is a communal experience that draws your classroom together. Singing. Simple. Songs. 

It is my heartfelt, simple song that I wrote on the national day of prayer and mourning and reflection, that Friday, following THAT Tuesday -- to sing with preschool children, in real time, back two decades ago. We recorded it professionally years later. 

I have gone on to turn the song into a picture book. A traditional hardback, picture book. With pages that turn and illustrations that I created from fabric. The book won a national award. BUT for the sake of expediency, let's focus on a digital downloadable song in Mp3 format, that you can teach in the morning and perform in the afternoon. That simple. 

The file includes the American Sign Language signs, so that your performance becomes 'visual' and inclusive. Again. Simple. But-oh-so-powerful. 

The song doesn't reference September 11th. It taps into Americana. The flag. Our colors. Gratitude. Simplicity. Child friendly. Early childhood CIVICS 101!!!

My book is now 10 years old and I have been fortunate to make school visits across the country from coast-to-coast and tour some of our European Army bases sharing this simple song. You can search in this cache of previous blog articles for additional visual responses to my picture book, from the wee littles to the sophisticated upper primary grades. 

I realize that time is of the essence. Here's the link to the digital download available at TpT. It includes 2 Mp3's: one of the song, as I'm performing it in a professional recording studio with back up singers and children's vocals +PLUS+ the second Mp3 is the instrumental version, if you want to perform it without my vocals.... or write your own verses! 

***If you are interested in ordering a copy of the physical book, I will send you the Mp3 file and resource material via Dropbox email, while you await the delivery/arrival of the book. That way, you can sing the song immediately. 

To order a copy of my book you would go to my website. It is so much easier though, and I can personalize the book, if you send me a private message on FB and we can handle all of the details there. 

One other instantaneous resource that I have to offer is my Pinterest board dedicated to all things patriotic. I have over 500 ideas already pinned there for you. Just click through for those additional resources. 

Whew! I haven't blogged in so long and appreciate my peers Kristen Poindexter at Kristen's Kindergarten and Jennifer Kadar at Simply Kinder for the kick. 

Kusama Contemporary Artist Study: POLKA DOT PALOOZA!

My very favorite thing about making an author school visit is seeing the children's art that is on display in the hallways. I recently returned to a central Ohio school where I have visited annually with the kindergarten students. SHAZAM!!!! I'm calling this project the perfect  ---Polka Dot Palooza! 

If you know anything about me personally? I LUV LUV LUV polka dots! There are oodles of polka dots in my 3 picture books. My house is filled with polka dots. I personally painted polka dots on to my author suitcase. I have painted polka dots onto my author outfits.   
I LUV POLKA DOTS! 

Airport: My carry on with hand painted polka dots! 

^^^It took me forever to paint the polka dots onto my suitcase, as the paint was absorbed by the cover fabric, but over time as I persisted and painted layer-over-layer, the paint won out! 

This fall I had GREAT fun stenciling all manner of polka dots onto a table in our dining room. One can never have enough polka dots. They look great with stripes and checker boards, too! I used a combination of stencils, polka dot 'daubers' and pencil erasers, too! 

Back to my author visit and seeing the Yayoi Kusama project created in Hilliard by the second graders. Am-A-ZING! 

It appears to my trained Art Teacher eye, that each student painted their own unique polka dot 'backdrop' and then painted a matching polka dot apron to wear for their individual photo shoot. How BRILLIANT is this? 

"Polka dots can't stay alone. When we obliterate nature and our bodies with polka dots, we become part of the unity of our environments." Yayoi Kusama

"With just one polka dot, nothing can be achieved. In the universe, there is the sun, the moon, the earth, and hundreds of millions of stars. All of us live in the unfathomable mystery and infinitude of the universe. Pursuing 'philosophy of the universe' through art under such circumstances has led me to what I call 'stereotypical repetition.' "Yayoi Kusama

"More and more, I think about the role of the arts, and as an artist, I think that it's important that I share the love and peace." Yayoi Kusama

***(I didn't have enough time to speak to the brilliant Mr. Art Teacher to get the specifics. There are never enough minutes in the day, but this is too inspirational not to share.) 

What an utterly amazing project to do while studying the life and contribution of a contemporary artist. You can see what success was created by these second graders. I think the 'concept' could be replicated by both older and younger students. 

Here's just a little glimpse into the fun I have with the kindergarten students in this school, during my author visit. Making this an annual visit, I am greeted by the 'older' students and it is such fun to hear their memories from visits years earlier. THEY REMEMBER! 

I have earlier RoundUPs of Art History 101, 102, and 103. 

LOTS of Ideas as seen on dozens of my previous author visits. 

{Just click the images below to go to each of the earlier blog articles.}

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! We have just received the news that the Wobble Seats that we distribute have been put on a permanently reduced price. The manufacture has been able to locate a company able to create them at a lesser cost and they are passing the savings on to you! 

***This is the perfect time to remind your administration that you would like to use (or expand) the flexible seating options in your classroom. Over the years we have seen schools use that last little drop of $$ in their budget as the year winds down on discretionary purchases such as Wobble Seats. 

Be the squeakie wheel. Remind your front office of your interest. 

I know that many of you are beginning to plan for your End-of-Year events. Some while ago I wrote this little poem and have since turned it into a song. Many of my teacher friends are using the song for their 'slide show' sound track. It is available at TpT as a digital download in Mp3 format. 

Click Picture for Link to TpT Digital Download 

If you need a little reminder about the worthiness of your work -- look no further. Below you'll find a little video of my song-via-poem, stitched together with love and poignant pictures from some of  my besties. Now just imagine it playing with photos from your school year triumphs! 

Two of my picture books-in-song, lend themselves to end of year performances. 

The digital download file for each includes everything that you need to have your students ready to perform for loving parents to conclude your year. 

[Click on the image to go directly to my TpT digital store]

Here's the direct link to digital "You're Wonderful" 

Here's the direct link to digital "Red, White and Blue" 

***This article below from several years ago, using grass seed as 'hair' continues to climb in my Top 10 list of articles. This is the perfect time to go take a look at all the inspiration and different ways you might use seeds, and especially grass seeds this spring! 

Click the picture to go to the earlier article and get additional inspiration for grass seeds. 

Let me conclude with an uplifting verse from scripture brought to life with 'polka dots!' 

These last couple of years have been filled with an array of on-going challenges. In juggling all of the balls, the one that got dropped was my blogging. My hope is to return once more to this format to inspire, support and encourage you. Ever onward.  

-- Debbie 

Veteran's Day Response: Song & Patriotic Process Art for Young Children

Veteran's Day is just around the corner!

Veteran's Day is an abstract concept for young children. How can you make it more concrete? To begin with: focus on our flag and patriotism. Have them create their own open-ended, process-driven 'fireworks' as a foundation experience. 

What does America mean to our little ones? 

Where do we live? What is the name of our country? What do we celebrate as a country? How do we celebrate? How do we protect our freedoms? How do we thank those who have served to protect our freedoms?

One of my absolute pleasures is to make school visits as an author-illustrator, music-lady. Sometimes my visit is a one-time special event. I'm even more fortunate when my visit to a school includes a return visit. Sometimes I get asked back repeatedly over time. My longest running annual visit belongs to St. Paul School in Westerville, Ohio. 

We have all lost track as to how many years I have visited the kindergarten classes. We think it could be the last 12 or thirteen years now. That's a lot of LUV and support from some of my favorite Kindergarten teachers! Take a peek and get a glimmer of my welcome last spring. 

These fireworks were created by the Kinder-kiddos of Mrs. Holly Rose. They were proudly hanging outside her door, in the school hallway last May in time for my arrival. Imagine my excitement over such an enthusiastic welcome! 

Her students have created this art in response to my newest picture book. 

My own patriotic response to September 11th, was to create a simple song for children to honor our country. It started as a little patriotic 'zipper' song -- with the very simple lyrics "Red, white and blue.... I love you." 

Over time my simple song grew just enough to be recorded at the studio and was included on my fourth CD. Ultimately we produced my song as a traditional picture book -- where the song's lyrics become the text of my newest picture book. 

Click on the book cover to go to my website

***Each of my three picture books are notorious for the "end matter" that I have included to support teachers use of my song in their classroom and especially for use as part of a performance. Each of my books includes a CD of the sung version of the song and an instrumental as well. There is a chart for sign language and also a chart for music notation. They can be ordered directly from me at my website: RainbowsWithinReach.com. 

Take a listen on YouTube if you're not familiar with my song. Watch as teachers and librarians learn the sign language in real time -- at one of my conference workshop presentations. 

If you don't have time to order the book, or maybe you just want to get started RIGHT AWAY, then you can purchase the digital download version of the song in a zipped file through Teachers Pay Teachers. In the file you will receive two Mp3s of the song (sung & instrumental versions) as well as both the chart for sign language and that of music notation. I have lowered the price of the file right now! 

Click graphic for link to TpT digital download

But let's get back to the creation of the fireworks artwork. 

In a true synchronicity of great minds thinking alike, my daughter, Sarah, had the children-in-her-care create very similar fireworks this past summer. She took photos in real-time and I think they will be a terrific step-by-step tutorial for you to replicate the experience for the children/students in your own life.

1. Gather up cardboard tubes ahead of time. (Internal rolls from paper towels, toilet paper, or those purchased specifically for crafting.)

2. Cut into the edge of the cardboard tubes in a variety of styles. {See the examples below for possibilities.}

Think of this as a very simple print-making experience.  

• Let the children experiment! 
• Let them explore! 
• Let them design! 
• Let them plan!
• Let them giggle! 
• Let them construct!
• Let them arrange!
• Let them focus!  
• Let them imagine!
• Let them direct! 
• Let them choose!
• Let them concentrate!  
• Let them initiate! 
• Let them remember! 
• Let them experience! 
• Let them get messy!
• Let them enjoy!   
• Let them delight!!!

Open-ended art is wonderful because EVERYONE is RIGHT!

Every creation is unique. Every piece is different. Every effort is valued. Every project is an original! Children can recognize their own art on display, because it is different than everyone else's!!! 

The child at work below is only two years old and is experiencing excitement as he creates his own fireworks. This type of project can be as simple or sophisticated as each child's age and experience dictates. 

***Sometimes with young children, you need to monitor their work so that it doesn't get 'flooded' with paint (in this example.) There are children that can just keep going and going and going and going only to realize that suddenly their beautiful effort is one big brown mound of matted material. Keep a watchful eye and bring closure to the project before the flood. 

Here's  a glimpse of an earlier one of my author visits to St. Paul School and the patriotic 'marble painted' fireworks that were created for my visit on that occasion. This is another possibility for an open-ended, kinetic experiment in Art to respond to the concluding fireworks of my picture book!  

The all time LARGEST marble-painted, patriotic quilt award goes to Carie's Kindergarten class in Illinois! This is a mammoth cooperative effort -- all to celebrate America, and all things "Red, White and Blue!" 

Carie is now a Kindergarten teacher, but immediately after 9/11 she served for nine years of active duty in the US Army, including a year stationed in Iraq. She is a Veteran. She is to be celebrated on Veteran's Day. She gets what patriotism means. She wanted to be certain that her kinder kids understand about what America has always stood for around the world. {Click back here to see other specifics about this incredible project.} 

These types of colossal, open-ended art projects are all in response to a very simple lyric. Being the inspiration for such efforts is my most (humble) pride-filled contribution to the lives of children. 

I hope that you can use my song over the weeks ahead, to create a novel experience for the children you love.

Digital Version at TeachersPayTeachers

Meanwhile. We continue to accept Purchase Orders over at WobbleSeat.com where we distribute the ORIGINAL alternative seating that moves! The stools are now available in anti-microbial plastic! (That means no germs linger on their surface.) PLUS they are manufactured here in the USA! Talk about patriotic! 

That's what they look like in use right there in Westerville! These are pictured across the hall from the fireworks display, in Kelly Grote's Kinder-room. After consideration, she has both 14" wobbles and others that are only 12" tall. Having both sizes available accommodates all heights of her students, especially helpful at the beginning of the year -- when there are indeed some 'shorties' in the room. 

Kinder depiction of Miss Debbie during author visit!

If you are interested in your own author visit, I would be thrilled to talk! 

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.