Wednesday, August 6, 2008

and I bet/ and you exploded into my heart





All the talk of art yesterday made me realize that it was time for a new art lesson for master Finn. I have been making a list of all the places I want to take the boys. I want to be the first to show them things. I want to cover their eyes next year and then say, "open" and the Eiffel Tower will be there. I want to show them the London Bridge and the Grand Canyon and point with my finger to the ocean for Blaise like I did with Finn. I want to see the wonder fly across their eyes. I think this is one of the true joys of parenthood- the unlocking of the world's treasures.

Anyhoo, we talked about art and I remembered a lesson plan we did with the after school program over at Sawyer Recreation Center. Each year we studied different artists and the lesson plans were always unique and engaging. When we studied Michelangelo we made our own fresco's on the bottom of art room tables. We would set the kids up with paper taped on the underside of the tables and give them supplies. We would pass around images of the Sistine Chapel and then we would have them lie under the table as we told the story of Michelangelo and the Sistine Chapel. We asked them to think about painting the same painting for four years! The kids were then asked to create their own masterpiece under the table. It was always a great lesson as paint would drip in their eyes and they would equally complain and praise the lesson. It was always a favorite.

Today Finn and Blaise and I did a small scale Sistine Chapel art lesson. Just as suspected Finnian loved it but said his arms ached after about two fresco's. He was shocked when I told him about the four years it took Michelangelo to create the Sistine chapel art. He made that funny perfect circle with his mouth. I wonder what four years means inside of his head?
T.S.Eliot wrote
Have known the evenings, mornings, afternoons,
I have measured out my life with coffee spoons

What about you Finn?
crayons?
fruit snacks?
kisses from mama?




Get me delivered to yr email xo

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love this idea! And I love the title (one of my very favorite songs - EVER).

Jean Martha said...

Finn has a very creative easel. Get him an astronaut pen and he'll be in heaven!

Thanks for the kirsty.com love on my gypsy caravan post!!!

Diane Mandy said...

What a GREAT idea! Thank you for sharing!

Petit Elefant said...

Mwah! Thanks for the Sk*rt addition.

zakkalife said...

What a clever art lesson. Simple ideas are the best.

Anonymous said...

we just might have to try that.

Joslyn said...

i love this amy...so much... i want you to be my girlie's art teacher.

And this...

"I think this is one of the true joys of parenthood- the unlocking of the world's treasures."

Yes!
xo

please sir said...

Sounds lovely - I think it is great to expose children to art - what great experiences!

Anonymous said...

I'm with Joslyn! That could be your calling!!

The passion that oozes out of you is infectious.

Ry Pepper said...

This is such a great project idea. It's really fantastic. I might end up under my table later today. :)

Alix said...

I adore this. I'm suddenly having ideas of all the other places you could stick paper and let them draw...perhaps on the inside of a car for long journeys...

Jennifer said...

Oh how I LOVE this idea!

Stumbling this post!

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