Ms. Caramel's Class

Happy New Year everyone!

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you a happy and healthy 2009. I am looking forward to this term as I have heard many good things about the Cedar Grove carnival jump up and Easter Bonnet parade. Both of these events are wonderful outlets for creativity and imagination and I have lots of fun things planned for the children this term.  I am also looking forward to working with the classes and the class reps and parents to get their various carnival portrayals ready for the jump up. I would like to suggest that we try to reuse some of the christmas concert costumes (eg. painting on the angel dresses) and have the children work on at least one part of their costume in the art room, this way they become involved and even more excited about the competition.

I hear that the easter bonnet parade has become very competitive, and while parental involvement is a good thing, I would like to make a suggestion that this year we have the kids make their OWN bonnets using only recycled materials in Art class. I'd like to give this competition back to the children..they are all amazing artists and this is a perfect opportunity to let them shine. I would also like to get away from the store bought plastic eggs and flowers and trimmings. With the way the world economy is going we all have to learn to get back to basics and use our imagination, innovation and the resources we have going to waste. I would like all the kids to bring in a cap or bonnet to decorate (the Art and Craft store in the mall usually has simple bonnets for $10, or we can make them out of cardboard etc.) It will be interesting to see what they come up with on their own..they never fail to amaze me. 

I am hoping that the kids can start 'recycle boxes' at home and bring in  the materials they collect for use in art projects. You can check here for a list of items that would be useful: http://www.freewebs.com/mscaramelsclass/artclassgoesgreen.htm We would really like to go into recycling in a big way. The more supplies we have, the more we can do.

I have been doing a lot of research on the net and linking with various art teachers around the globe for ideas on ways to expand and enhance our art program. There is a wealth of information available to us though the wonder of the world wide web, and I feel these outward linkages are so necessary and can only serve to widen our vision.  Our class has already been highlighted on one website:

http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/artroom/elementary/elementary2.html#international

In keeping with our outward expansion, I am doing a project with the children of Grades 1-5 on National Costumes. They can check out this website for ideas on their project : http://costumes.lovetoknow.com/National_Costumes_of_the_World or do a Google search for thier particular country.

As always I look forward to your comments and suggestions. I was happy to be able to meet some of you at the class meetings this week and do hope you will feel free to drop in and see what we are up to.

Have a great week!

sharon