Third Grade Naturals

“Art is imbedded in nature and they who can extract it have it. “ ~ Albrecht Durer

March 22, 2024

Dear Families and Friends,

On their first day of Leaps of Imagination, third graders at South School were serious about making art. They were inspired by the complexity of feathers and pinecones. The texture of bark and the sparkle of mica. The remains of a hive and a surprise inside. With looks of determination, they opened their journals to draw. We could have heard a pin drop.

Observational drawing is a slow process. And kids commented on having the chance to take their time. ” We didn’t have to rush and be done in like two minutes.” “It felt like it took a lot of time.” “I was not expecting to draw this way.” “It was pretty challenging to include a lot of detail.” “My arm got tired after drawing all the circles.” “It was really hard. After doing it I thought it was really good.” “It was really, really hard. You had to draw the shape and then all the details.”

We know how kids value feedback. So we turned the classroom into a “gallery” for a brief pop-up show in our last half hour. Third graders walked from desk to desk to observe what their peers had accomplished. Choosing one journal in which to give specific comments, kids paused and took out their pencils. They wrote about what impressed them.

As we wrapped up the morning, children described their learnings. One boy had the courage to draw the same natural object, a gall, for a second time. He turned the page in his journal and began over again. “I didn’t like it until I saw my second drawing.” His classmates shared his feeling of pride and accomplishment – the result of more practice.

Everyone had risen to the challenge. “The stick was a little hard, but the bee’s nest was not as difficult,” one girl remarked. “It was really easy for me because I am an artist,” another student announced.

Each third grader had brought an individual perspective to this morning’s art making. Having initially agreed that kids use their imaginations more than adults do, they applauded their classmate who’d looked at a feather differently.

Next week we’ll be meeting with Miss Day’s and Miss Sears’ classes. Then Friday, kids from all three sections will partner up as story tellers and printmakers. Can we even imagine where they will go next?

With delight, Nancy, Susan, Dee, and Jocelyn