What a fun last day of camp! Today's focus was on architecture and engineering! Day 4: *Together Time* This morning we began camp by discussing the topic of construction. We asked ourselves a series of questions: "What tools are used in construction?" "What kind of buildings or structures do we know? "Who participates in construction?" "Which materials are used in construction?" *Our Structures* Miss Tory passed around wooden square blocks to use as a foundation for our build

Another great day at the studio! Painting, beading, tying, observing,and learning all day! Day 3: *Together Time* We began our day our usual way with coming together as a group. We reviewed the day before and added comments and ideas to our book. Sketching plants that we noticed earlier while on our nature walk! Families will able to see our book during our mini art showcase! *Prism Catchers* Today we explored light and rainbows. We learned about prisms from our friend who ta

Today was stellar! We couldn't wait to have more fun with our campers! Day 1: *Together Time* This summer we attended the University of Tennessee's Early Learning Institute Conference. The conference centered around the ideology of taking children outdoors to experience nature. It was especially centered on the research of Claire Warden and her Floorbook Approach. A class's Floorbook, or in our case a camp's Floorbook, is a tool for documentation in which both the teacher and

It's Monday which means the start of a new camp! We were so excited for our friends to arrive at our studio! This week we will explore a variety of sciences and scientists! Day 1: *Together Time* We spent our beginning moments coming together. After introducing ourselves we discussed different kinds of scientists and what they study. Our friends could either draw or write their responses - or have one of us write it for them. We collected our ideas from our brainstorming sess

Today may have been the last day of camp - but we went out with a MESS!!! Gross Motor Body Painting is my favorite style of painting and I couldn't wait to share it with my new friends. Our campers and their families arrived to a mini showcase of our group projects from this week! Day 4: *Gross Motor Body Painting* As the campers arrived they could participate in a group painting activity to get their toes ready for some action! We HAD to take a photo of all of our messy face

HAPPY SOLSTICE!!! Today we celebrated the BIGGEST, BRIGHTEST day of the year by creating wings and walking in a parade! Day 3: *Giving Ourselves Wings* We couldn't wait for our campers to arrive and see our invitation! We gathered together in a circle to discuss which animals we see in summer. Then we thought about which of those animals have wings! Creation Begins! We like to get comfy when we paint! We could glue rhinestones, feathers, flowers, and miscellaneous paper shape

Another gorgeous day for us to explore in the sunshine! Continuing with the campers' interests we organized a fun-filled day for all! Day 2: *The Slug!* While setting up a ramp invitation outside I found a slug on a tunnel. Thankfully, around that same time our campers began arriving because I knew they would love to see it too! As we observed the slug's movements on the tunnel we came to the decision that we should try moving the slug so we could see it up close and sketch i

A new week - a new camp! Today kicked off our Think BIG Art Camp! During this week our main focus will be making a BIG mess! This afternoon we will focus on painting using tools other than brushes! I can't wait to get our hands dirty! Day 1: *Studio Exploration* For some of our campers, today was their first time in our studio space. The group was quite curious! Chalkboard illustrations on the porch! Messy hands are some of my favorite things!!! :-) *Glitter Paint Bombs* Bath

Our last day together has arrived! Today was filled with finishing our projects and completing our week of pebble meditation. Day 5: *Sun Print Tapestry Embroidery* The campers excelled at using real needles to create their own embroidery designs. *Pebble Pouch Necklaces* We added necklace strings to our painted pebble meditation pouches so that we can carry them with us wherever we go! *Habitat Construction Completion* Finishing our habitats required us to be focused! Some c

What an absolutely positively terrific Thursday! Day 4: *Mindful Morning* After some Bunny Breathing we walked our dogs. :-) Yoga zombies slowly rolling up from their forward folds. There was a competition to see who could be the slowest zombie. *Clay Creature Painting* The campers concentrated on getting their characters just right! *Nature Shadows* Using some of the materials we had collected during our nature walks, we printed and stamped with leaves on our spray watercolo