Trees in Winter: Conifers

Post Contributed by Ally Bernstein, Teaching Assistant

Theo hard at work

With winter holidays drawing near and deciduous trees empty of leaves, an afternoon dedicated to conifers was completely fitting. Ms. Bernstein taught a lesson on the ever-alluring evergreen trees, beginning with a discussion of the science behind the needles. We discussed why conifers, which often grow in acidic soil, expend more energy and nutrients to make needle-shaped leaves that don't fall in the winter. Students participated in a role-play activity to demonstrate this adaptation, as well as the process through which a tree sheds its leaves.

Joseph and Emily as a tree shedding its leaves

For our project, we used cuttings from conifers such as eastern pines and cedars to create rubbings and/or stamps. Ms. Bernstein demonstrated how to make the rubbings with crayons and how to construct stamps using foam and cardboard. Some students took the stamping a step further, and attached the actual needles straight to the cardboard for experimental stamping!

Ms. Bernstein with exemplars

Throughout the process, Beye Discovery students made wonderful use of repetition, shape, and color to create subdued pieces that were evocative of their source material while also taking on a new life.

Emily chose pastel hues to make a fanciful artwork

Emily's artwork, in progress

Joseph's rubbings echo the look of trees within a landscape

Ethan makes a rubbing

Joey creates a swirling rainbow conifer circle

Emily's completed artwork

Students who constructed foam stamps created artworks that were bold and crisp, in direct contrast to the mostly subdued rubbings.

Emory stamps with "needles" made from foam

Dexter cuts foam for stamping

Jordon's colorful rubbing

Gingerbread Houses: Gifts for Pre-Schoolers in Head Start Program

Hi Families!

Beye Discovery students were invited for the 2nd year in a row to create one-of-a-kind holiday gifts for pre-school participants in the Head Start Program. Last year, we made spherical ornaments with folded paper circles. This year, our students made very personalized gingerbread house ornaments, each with a special touch. 

Joey

To begin, we looked at images of gingerbread house styles and discussed what made gingerbread houses look so yummy and appealing. The candy factor is big, and so is color: gum drops, peppermints, and candy canes easily come to mind. We also considered motifs of the winter season such as drifting snow, wreaths, holiday lights, snowflakes & evergreen trees.

Lucy

Everyone started the project with a yogurt cup, a rectangular strip of ginger colored paper, and a paper roof shape.  Then the students selected from a variety of supplies including sequins, colorful collage papers, colored pencils & white paint to decorate their gingerbread house and roof.

Each gingerbread house is completely unique and we were touched by the amount of care and thoughtfulness given by each child as they made their gift. Students took pride in their work and it is our hope that the recipients of these beautiful gifts could sense the warmth and joy the children experienced in their making : ) 

Jessica

Theo

Joel

Emory

Norah

 

Dexter

Lucy

Joel: "Happy House" wishes for all the Head Start children!

"Giving Thanks" Cards, The Neighborhood Giving Project

Post Contributed by Jocelyne Adkins, Program Director

For the 3rd consecutive year, Beye Discovery has participated in The Neighborhood Giving Project's "Giving Thanks" letter writing campaign. Although we make cards, the sentiment is still the same: children are eager to acknowledge and give thanks to those who work during the Thanksgiving holiday, often away from their own families. Students in our Monday and Wednesday classes made the cards last week and they were delivered by the students today.

Heidi

Heidi

 
We began by asking students to consider who in our community would need to work during the Thanksgiving holiday. They compiled a long list that included doctors and all those who work in hospitals, animal hospitals, police and fire personnel, grocery store employees, the CTA, military personnel, airline employees, etc. We then chose 4 categories to focus on, as this year we planned a walking field trip to deliver our thank you cards in person. Our recipients included The Carlson Animal Hospital, Dominick's, The Oak Park Fire Department, and The Oak Park Veteran's Center (although this organization moved to S. Harlem Ave., so these cards were delivered separately).

Carson

 

Students made some very heartfelt and detailed cards, using collage and colored pencils. A few students included a pop-up feature to their cards and another card included a short comic. They enjoyed delivering the cards and are eager to do so again next year!

Theo

At the fire station, children were given an impromptu tour and were able to sit inside a firetruck! They also met all the firefighters on shift, including the captain and the station office manager, who keeps the entire department running smoothly. Before departing, students also received a red fire helmet! An additional bonus as our walk was coming to an end, was the ability to hand-deliver one of the cards to a police officer. She was very surprised and quite pleased to be recognized by the children : )

Xantal

We extend a huge thank you to all the children who participated in The Neighborhood Giving Project's "Giving Thanks" letter writing campaign (there were over 600 participants)!!! Each and every child added a bit of cheer to a number of community workers' days due to their thoughtfulness and appreciation.

Dexter

Jessica

Jessica

Yinka

Yinka

Ginger

Ginger

Ethan

Ethan

Cassie

Cassie

Cassie

Ginger

Emory

Emory

Anika

Anika

Peyton

Joey

Joseph

Elijah

Ben and Joseph

Ben

Ben

Ben

Lucy

Lucy

For additional information about The Neighborhood Giving Project's annual "Giving Thanks" Letter Writing Campaign, please visit the following link:

TNGP Project Description:
http://www.neighborhoodgivingproject.org/past-projects.php

TNGP Photo Gallery:
http://www.neighborhoodgivingproject.org/gallery.php