Mixed media arts and crafts class kicks off summer of learning

In just the second full week of summer break, learning has ramped back up at the Warwick Valley Central School District, as both the Extended School Year and Summer Enrichment programs kicked off on Monday! 

We will be checking on both of those programs throughout the summer, as well as the Wildcats Sports Summer Camps and the Warwick Police Department Junior Police Academy, both of which begin next week. 

Our first visit of the summer was to the technology wing of Warwick Valley Middle School, where facilitator Emma Smith is leading elementary-age students in her first of six week-long Summer Enrichment sessions called Arts & Crafts: Mixed Media. In her class, Ms. Smith has students explore their imaginations through hands-on projects designed to build their cognitive, fine-motor, social-emotional, and self-expression skills.   

Ms. Smith’s curriculum for the class has been thoughtfully designed to feature crafts that explore multiple media over the course of five days, including paint and ink, thread and beads, clay, canvas, and many colorful recycled materials. Each day, students create multiple projects inspired by specific topics (animals, the environment, astronomy, music, etc.) that challenge them to create their own pieces by applying the foundational art techniques they learn. The crafts are also paired with read-alouds or fun fact sheets that connect each activity to broader learning. 

Ms. Smith, who holds a master’s degree in developmental psychology and whose strong commitment to art education has led her to facilitate numerous group art and craft programs, created her class around the concept of “educational crafting.” The approach has been shown to enhance students' attention spans, resilience, and their ability to transfer knowledge from one type of activity to another. Through purposeful, guided crafting, students not only make art but also develop important skills that hold significant future value, such as following instructions, problem-solving, sequencing steps, and reflecting on their own processes and creative choices.   

By combining creative exploration with focused instruction, the class helps students develop abilities that support both academic and personal growth. And, after creating their pieces, children also use their projects in interactive games and activities, deepening their engagement and understanding.

Stay tuned for more from Ms. Amith's class in July and August! And you can use this link to learn even more about the district's yearly Summer Enrichment Program.

Below: A student in Arts & Crafts: Mixed Media class poses with classroom mascot for the day, Gizzard the Lizard.