Spring is here, albeit brief reminders that we live in New England, and the sun and warmth are still very sporadic! In the morning, we still have fire in the wood stove, but by afternoon, we are outdoors for 30 minutes or so, playing among the rocks, forsythia huts, the fairy (fire) circle, and the beech grove.

We are using our number lines in math to solve number sentences in addition and subtraction. Friends work in pairs to solve problems, check their work, and make progress. We are working on focus—being able to sit for 20 to 30 minutes and work on various tasks, and not be distracted by other friends and their words/work. It is a challenge, but needs to be learned!

We have started our story about Japan that we will perform for Ruth on Friday, April 3^rd, at our next visit. (It is a collective story that friends each contribute to, and it incorporates some of the aspects of Japan we have learned.) Today we also began assembly of our Emperor and Empress puppets (I suspect some of them will be villagers for the puppet show, as not everyone can be the BIG cheeses!), adding color to their faces, and collars so they can be attached to their kimonos.

We have been singing and signing together each day. Ask your friends about the songs, “Heart of the World,” “Valley of Vegetables,” and “My Teacher’s got a Skunk on her Head.” (The first is by Sarah Pirtle, the latter two by Laurie Berkner.) We are getting ready for a show/concert at Elmer’s on Saturday, May 30^th. (Mark your calendars and invite your friends and relatives!)

Our reading of Gaia Girls by Lee Welles continues. Friends are learning about the factory farming of pigs, its impact on the environment, and how the earth is the recipient of all of our collective blunders. The story has some very poetic and magical aspects (The main character, Elizabeth, can travel through the root systems of trees, has been transported to a fairy circle filled with concentric circles of violets and buttercups, and converses with Gaia, who has transformed herself into a talking otter.), and friends are learning to listen to the song of the trees and the babbling snow runoff.

April is National Poetry Month, and we’ll be playing more rhyming games with small words, and working on our Peace Travelers Alphabet Book.

As many of you know already The Children's Art Museum is undergoing some
transition. Due to financial stress we have decided to let our physical
space go (as much as we do love it)

We will continue to run/sponsor all kinds of family friendly Arts events
in the Hilltowns and our Blog Studiocam will stay current (just as soon as
the transition is over)

As we are downsizing we have lots of excess Art and craft supplies and
Children's book for Sale. The sale is a fundraiser to help us catch up
with some overdue expenses. If you have any good quality toys, games,
books and art supplies that you would like to donate to the sale please
contact me.

I am also looking for some volunteers the day of the sale to help keep
things organized. If you are interested please contact me.

Thanks in advance......

-Tony(a) Lemos (and everyone one else who is invilved with CAM)

The Children’s Art Museum
Buckland Side/Shelburne Falls, MA
(same building as the trolley museum)

Art &Craft Supply
& Children’s Book Sale

Sat May  17  9:30am-1:00pm

For more info 413.625.2030

This event is a fundraising event to help us transition tour next stage of
being. If you have quality art supplies or children’s books that you would
like to donate please email me

MONDAY 10AM-NOON

PUPPETS AND STORY TELLING

A morning of Simple Puppets and Storytelling. $8

All ages welcome (under 7 years must bring an adult)

***Call to register 413 625 2030 and check in about the weather***

MONDAY 2-4PM

CREATE AND MAKE A SOFTIE CREATURE $12

All ages welcome (under 7 years must bring an adult)

***Call to register 413 625 2030 and check in about the weather***

WEDNESDAY 10-12PM

ART AND CULTURE: Paper Dolls Around the World. Come and Make paper dolls while exploring colors and textiles from around the world. $10

All ages welcome (under 7 years must bring an adult)

***Call to register 413 625 2030 and check in about the weather***

Here are a few photos from todays class creating Sand Mandalas and Prayer Flags.Here is a list of some of the books we read (thanks Erica!)

• All The Way to Lhasa: A Tale from Tibet (By Barbara Helen Berger)
  
• Our Journey from Tibet (by Laurie Dolphin)
  
• Secret of the Snow Leopard (By Tenzing Norbu Lama)
• Tibet Through the Red Box (By Peter Sis)
• The Mountains of Tibet (By Mordicai Gerstein)
• Tibetan Tales for Little Buddhas (By Rose & Tenzin) 
  

 

Exploring Tibetan Culture with Sand Mandalas

NEW DATE ANDTIME

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 3RD

10AM

SEE YOU THERE!! 

This coming Monday , MLK Day we are going to have a special crafting session at CAM (It will kick off our Monday afternoon series but youattend as a one off class)

Monday Jan 21, 2008

2-4pm

$10 per family

(All ages welcome)

Birds for Peace

We will make a beautiful bird “Peace” garland for post holiday home-decorating. We will also create a beautiful bird scene applique that can be sewn onto a child’s item of clothing. (Don’t forget to bring an item of clothing to embellish……it can be a wool sweater (felted is fine) or as weatshirt, a dress. Ideally something thicker than a cotton t-shirt butif that is what you have we’ll make it work)

No sewing skill is necessary.

If you have a sewing kit bring it.

If you have fabric/ felt scraps, we’ll use them!

“LOVE IS THE KEY TO THE PROBLEMS OF THE WORLD” MLK

I thought I would share some of the activities we have been up to recently in our homeschool coop. My daughter and  I recently read the book “Me on the Map” by Jane Sweeney. A very simple and sweet book that encourages the cartographer in everyone! A great introduction to the world and maps. Thus this lesson plan was created. First we read the book………..It was a hit! Next I gave the group a list that looked something like this

•  A airport
• A dump
• A train track/station
• A residential street
• A CSA
• A soccer field
• A horse farm
• A pond 
• A hospital
• A school
• A church

A concert at CAM Canto for Kids with Laurie Davidson and Tom CarrollSun Feb 10th,  3pm $1o per family 

Performing traditional and original songs in English and Spanish, Canto for Kids engages young children and their parents in an interactive program that is both fun and educational. The program encourages participation through catchy melodies, simple phrases, and movement.  Come sing along and have fun!