CAMPFIRE STORIES

For our Spring "Campfire Stories" project, students gathered around a pretend campfire (made of sticks, stones, and orange crepe paper) to tell each other stories, most notably, a collaborative tale created by each person contributing a part in sequence. Each student then illustrated his or her section, and we combined them all to make a book. At Chevy Chase, the kids came up with a mystery about a vampire on another planet that involves a candy factory and, well - I won't give away the twist that happens midway through - you'll have to read it for yourself!

This picture was taken after the circle had broken up and we'd moved the fire hastily into the shade, but you get the idea!

This photo provided by Reuben from the Oyster-Adams Campfire Stories class

CAMPIN' OUT

I was asked to lead a craft session at a camping-themed birthday party for an 8 year old girl last week and, inspired by our Campfire Stories project, decided to go with having the girls make mini, portable campfires using sticks, stones, crepe paper, feathers, gold ribbon and pretend marshmallows on sticks for roasting. Each one got its own little flickering, electric candle, too, which makes the fires feel genuinely cozy and glowy in the dark. Here are some pictures from the quick test fire I made.  I'm working on a list of summer projects for kids, and I think this little campfire will be included. So fun for pretend camping - outdoors or in! The birthday party itself was completely adorable, and entailed s'mores, a fire pit, a big tent, sleeping bags, lanterns, and a hike through the woods.

Tragically, I have no clear photos of the moment when my cat grabbed the marshmallow stick in her mouth, making it hover over the flames. She refused to repeat this stunt, proving that you get what you pay for when you work with unpaid models. Typical.

STORY FORT

Last Spring, we told campfire stories, and this Spring, we're story fortin': using story spinner wheels, the Art Brains kids are working together to weave random spins into elaborate stories while huddled together in bed sheet forts. This has been nothing but bigtime fun so far, and I wish I had audio recordings of the kids talking and getting psyched about new ideas for our tales. The latter have thus far included classes living in giant underwater castles in swimming pools in the middle of the desert, flying sharks, magic booby-trapped gardens, and lots more.