Arbor Day Celebration!

Post Contributed by Jocelyne Adkins, Program Director

Hi Families,

This Arbor Day, we decided to celebrate by collecting the tiny branches that fall from the trees to make "tree sculptures". There is a particular tree* a couple blocks from the school that has thin delicate red-hued branches beneath it year round, and sure enough, this lovely tree provided a number of the fallen branches for our tree sculpture activity today.

 *my goal is to identify the species, but it is currently leafless and I'm unfamiliar with the bark : (

Daysha, middle school assistant, with Leila, Jessica, Caroline and Anika

Ms. Berstein with Joey, Shlok, Cassie, Dexter, Yeoeun, Chan, and Jadon

When we returned to the classroom, we asked the students to create a sculptural base for the branch that could support it. We discussed methods to accomplish this, including coiling forms and using a larger piece of clay that has a unique designed shape (rather than a plain pedestal). We also supplied small colorful crafting stones, multi-colored string, and tiny clear "beads". Texture could be an important feature as well.

Yeoeun

The children far surpassed our expectations and I wish I had more photographs of the completed sculptures. They are so full of life, implied movement, and visual interest. Living creatures from squirrels to snakes to butterflies make their appearance in a handful of the sculptures. The photos while helpful, fall short of conveying the beauty the students created today. Kudos to all of the children for their focused and dedicated work !

Shlok

Emory, wrapping a long coil along the base of his branch

Jadon

Yeoeun (if you look closely, you can see a butterfly between her hands and a chrysalis in the branch

Emory

Dexter (he has made 2 playful squirrels in the branches)

Isaac, with a figure hugging the tree branch

Joey tied pieces of colorful string to drape from the branches, inspiring his classmates to do the same

Shlok (a snake is slithering from the base up one of the supporting branches)

Chan

Jessica

Jordan

Dexter with a tiny basket suspended from the branch to collect nuts

All done!

Chan