"Frozen" Creative Curriculum Guide

This month, our big idea is Frozen. If you live in a place where there’s a winter wonderland right out your door, lucky you! Just bundle up and get outside as much as you can to observe the changes in nature, enjoy some big body play, and even find creative uses for snow and ice. If you live in a warm place, that’s ok, too! There is so much to observe and explore within this theme that doesn’t require winter weather. Substitute snow with ice from the freezer, or make snow from flour and oil. We suggest many materials this month that give the feeling of snow and ice that will spark imaginative play, like reflective mirrors, tin foil, icy gems, white playdough, and fluffy white cotton balls. It doesn’t have to be complicated, expensive, or challenging to facilitate open ended, child-centered art and play experiences.

Our curriculum is inclusive and honors each child’s individuality and way of thinking and working. Consider each guide like a beautiful magazine where creativity meets education. They are more than a collection of art ideas, they are the KEY to a cohesive, child-centered, manageable creative practice for your family at home, or to integrate with your homeschool or classroom curriculum.

Our Whole Child Guide is our original 26-page guide and includes:

• An introduction to the month's theme, or “Big Idea”

• 20 invitations (one for each weekday of the month), 10 art and 10 play, that can be cut into cards and kept in a box as a resource to build upon

• A master supply list that leans heavily on recycled and natural materials and easy-to-find, inexpensive art supplies

• 4 daily weekly rituals for mindfulness, connection, and physical and emotional development to help frame the weeks

• A rich, teacher-approved picture book list with an emphasis on diversity, inclusion, earth stewardship, and kindness

• 8 creative snack ideas that complement the theme

• 4 ways to extend the big idea through project-based learning skills such as research, reflection, documentation, and connecting with others

• A list of life skills learned through the month’s creative invitations

• Curricular connections within the guide’s creative offerings in math, literacy, science and social studies

• An artist spotlight featuring living and working artists

• 2 more in-depth projects for weekends or longer term classroom projects

• A master one-page calendar of the month ahead that you can print and post on the art room wall for easy reference