Back to School Carnival 2010-2011

The time has come.  The school year is once again upon us and all of us are ready (including the kids).  As we do each year, we will be kicking off with our annual Back to School Carnival.  Miss Penny, Miss Joanie and all the regular favorites will be on hand for art and song while the snow cones and popcorn abound.  This year is going to be phenomenal.  We are excited that you were able to join us and look forward to kicking things off right.  Come on out to 7803 Laurel Avenue from 3:30-5:30pm and bring your camera.  You don’t want to miss the opportunity to take a picture of the four-year-old face-painted spider-man, clutching half a cherry snow cone with a mouth full of laffy taffy attempting a spin-art masterpeice while dancing to Miss Joanie’s potty song and stuffing his pockets full of popcorn . . . because he may turn out to be yours.  Have Fun!

Creativity at Work…

My Blue Pony

Watercolors

My Own Rendition

Pop Art

Art Week Summer Camp

City At Sunset

The Famous Technique of Georges Seurat

Ms. Penny joined our classes Thursday and Friday afternoon to teach us about a french artist who used dots to create his paintings.  His name was Georges Seurat.  After we learned about his technique and examined one of his famous paintings, Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte, we tried our hand at our own creation using his unique painting technique.  Some of us even put it into practice at the art center all by ourselves…there were snowmen made out of dots and other great creations too!

Learning More About Picasso with Ms. Penny

2010 Summer Camp Registration Now Open!

Join us this summer for another great selection of camps for both preschool and toddlers.  Download our registration forms and choose from any or all of the eleven weeks this year.

Click Here for Our New 2010 Summer Camp Brochure and Registration.

Ms. Penny’s Preschool Art Class: Pablo Picasso

Ms. Penny taught us about Pablo Picasso today and his unique style of art!  We learned that he used many different shapes in his work and that the “people” in his artwork are made up of all of these different shapes.  After studying his work, The Three Musicians, and made our own rendition!

2009 Art Show

Our annual art has come and gone, but here are some pics to enjoy.  We really appreciate everyone joining us to celebrate all of the wonderful artwork the children had displayed.  They worked so hard and we LOVED seeing the kids take center state for the night!  We thank Ms. Penny for all of her hard work for the show AND with the children!

Native American Day

Dancing Moon and Running Deer came to visit us today to teach us all about the Southwest Native Americans.  We had the opportunity to pop the dry corn kernals off the cob and grind them on a matate.  A matate is the large stone on which the grain is placed. A mano is a smaller stone used to grind corn or other grains. It is rolled over the matate to break down the grains into a powder.  The powder is then used to cook many different things with.  We talked about all the different uses the native americans had for corn then we husked our own piece of cooked corn and enjoyed it as a snack.

Running Deer showed us all of the different types of tools and weapons that were used to hunt and provide food for the native american families.  We also got to see and feel a real deer fur and antlers along with a fox fur and skunk fur!  We explored and dressed up in native american jewelry and clothing and had a chance to make our very own piece of jewelry.  We learned that native americans would have used many different things to make their jewelry including shells, feathers, animal claws other things they would find in the area where they lived.

We learned that native americans did not have books like we do, they had “storytellers,” or people in their tribe that told stories to the young children.  These stories always had a lesson that the children could learn.  Dancing moon told us the story about “How Chipmunk Got His Stripes.”  It was an exciting story that taught us that we should not tease others or to brag about ourselves.  We will be reading other Native American Folk tales later in the week, including How Jackrabbit Got His Long Ears and Kissing Coyotes.  The preK children got to listen to a story on tape about another native american legend…The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush.

Artists Hard at Work…

Your child has been working super hard with Ms. Penny and Ms. Lori to prepare for the upcoming art show on November 13th.  Ms. Penny has been in class two to three days a week over the past few weeks to help the children create their masterpieces that will be on display.  As you look into those “artless” cubbies day after day, please remember that all the very special artwork that your child is doing with our fantastic Ms. Penny, is being kept at school for their special debut!  Mark Your Calendars!  The children have also been working VERY hard on a top secret holiday surprise for their families…you’ll have to wait for December to see that!  It will be worth the wait!

Every child is an Artist!