On the campus of ULL (University of Louisiana at Lafayette) there is a beautiful museum, The Hilliard. Saturday they held a drop in art activity for kids 4 and up. I showed up with Leo, 4, and Stella, 2, and they were the only children there. They had the full attention of the artist instructor.
I was amazed by the focus of both kids on this activity. From the flyers on the table, I realized it was meant to be a quilting activity. There were shapes cut out of various papers. However, Leo immediately grabbed the scissors and started cutting the shapes to his liking and building a 3 dimensional motorcycle. I glued it down for him on the white “quilt piece,” and he continued to add to it a winner’s banner and a man riding (notice the skinny yellow strip sitting on the motorcycle.)
Stella was happy enough to glue and glue and glue. The artist taught her how to put the glue on the back and turn the paper over and press it down. We were also able to freely roam the current art exhibits. It was a great way to spend a rainy cold Saturday morning.
Today, at Ethical ELA Open Write, Stefanie Boutelier is teaching us how to use technology in poetry with a wonderful prompt and model poem “A Pile of Good Things”. You should follow the link and see what it’s all about. Here is my pile:
Reflections on the Teche 
I love the idea of a pile of good things. Thank you for sharing! Also, the line ‘growing old in long time’ is so special.
How fun – enjoying an activity at an art museum. You are providing a great foundation for your grandkids! So glad you added the photos! I like the shape of your poem, how it grows as it gets longer.
Oh, Margaret, there are so many beautiful images in your poem: “picking blackberries from a canoe,” “gathering family” and “growing old in long love” are a few I’m in love with today. Leo’s motorcycle is a masterpiece.
I love that you popped in for some art with your grandkids and I love your ‘pile of good things.’
[…] resist a list? I am responding with my own list of underrated joys. This is a similar exercise to My Pile Of Good Things, but why […]