Dear Families,
We began the week exploring clay and the way it dissolves in water into a muddy paint. We began the year with this kind of tactile, elemental discovery, so it seems fitting that our year is also ending with the most basic, gooshy art materials of the world. We looked at ancient art on cave walls and saw that humans thousands of years ago also used earth, water and hands to leave an imprint on the world.
Muddy hand prints.
We were inspired by beautiful lilacs one day and each child looked carefully, smelled deeply and attempted to create a lilac palette with red, white, blue and green for heart shaped leaves. “It looks like the real flowers!” “We made pink!” “Mine is like the inside of the teeny flower!”
Lilacs!
We also spent time creating gifts of art for beloved departing teachers and those who have devoted time to our class’s well-being this year.
“It’s clouds in the sky!”
Collaborating on a special gift.
Thank you to Jenny and Derek for a lovely final lunch bunch. The children helped cut fruit and we had breakfast in the afternoon – eggs, juice and pancakes fresh from their griddle.
Lunch bunch!
It is wonderful to have time in nature and enjoy our beautiful campus. The children request visits to special places they have become familiar with: Grandfather Tree, the waterfall, the pond, the stream under the bushes and the pine grove in our playground.
Playing in the pine grove.
Walking with Georgia and Ruby.
Red Eft.
Froggie!
On a sad note, our three remaining fish passed away on Friday. After cleaning their tank, the heater malfunctioned. 🙁 We talked about it in our meeting and placed flowers in the stream to honor and say good-bye to our fish friends.
We have a busy week ahead, celebrating crazy hat day on Tuesday, fun and field day Wednesday, an ice cream party on Friday and just generally relaxing together and enjoying the last days of school. On Friday I would like everyone to contribute some sort of topping for our ice cream – sprinkles, fruit, nuts, whipped cream, etc, etc..
Thank you all!
Sarah
