4th grade students visit the Birmingham Museum of Art

Fourth grade GATE students visited the Birmingham Museum of Art on Wednesday, April 15, 2015.  Students and parents were treated to docent led tours of some of the permanent works of art housed at the museum as part of the Color My World tour.

Many of the pieces of art we saw were from the 1400s!  WOW!  Students learned about line, texture, and color during the tour.

Students also visited the Contemporary Gallery to see modern sculptures, abstract pieces, and geometric art.

These students are seated in front of one of our favorite pieces, Lady Helen Vincent painted by John Singer Sargent.

At lunch students were served by the entertaining duo of Mr. Marvis and Mr. Tripp.  These gentlemen shared rules of etiquette with the students and even involved the students in demonstrations.  Everyone enjoyed our delicious lunch in the beautiful setting of the museum lobby.  Thanks to Krystal Cobb for organizing our fabulous meal!

Please enjoy this 1.5 minute slideshow of our trip to the BMA!

3rd grade GATE students visit the Birmingham Museum of Art

Third grade GATE students visited the Birmingham Museum of Art on April 8, 2015.  Students had studied works of art in the permanent collection at the museum prior to the trip.  While at the museum, students participated in the Color My World tour led by fantastic docents!  Students learned about line, texture, and color and were able to see IN PERSON several of the works of art we had studied!

Docents led students in an interactive, fun approach to see and "experience" the art through movement and music.

Andrew posed in front of one of our favorite pieces of art from the 1400s!  Doesn't he look so handsome?!

Levi had the opportunity to experience some of the hands on exhibits in the kids' area at the museum.  If any of our families have a chance to go back, this area is a MUST SEE for the kids!

Lukas found a mannequin made of beautiful supplies in the lobby of the museum.

Our students were entertained at lunch by Mr. Marvis who shared rules of etiquette, served a fabulous lunch, and made us laugh with his witty sense of humor!

This was a "bird's eye view" of our etiquette luncheon in the lobby of the museum.  Boys pulled out the chairs for the girls, napkins were in laps, and polite conversation was heard as we enjoyed our delicious lunch prepared by Mrs. Krystal, Mr. Marvis, and Mr. Tripp from Oscar's at the Museum!

Please enjoy this slideshow (1.5 minutes) of our 3rd grade field trip!

Birmingham Museum of Art - 3rd grade

Wow!  What a day! April 10th was the field trip to the Birmingham Museum of Art for 3rd grade GATE students.  I am so proud of each and every student!  Their behavior could not have been better, their manners at lunch were perfect, and they knew so much about the artwork because they have been listening in class!  These young ladies and young gentlemen really know how to impress their teacher!  Students and parent chaperones were divided into three groups to tour the museum.  Students were able to see some of the art we have studied in class.  A few of their favorites were Claude Monet, Madonna and Child, the Perseus painting, the Remington sculpture, "Three for Five", and Lady Helen Vincent.

Our etiquette luncheon was held at Oscar's in the Museum.  The tables were beautifully set with black cloths tablecloths and napkins.  Students had made place cards for themselves and their guests.  Our view from the restaurant overlooked the sculpture garden and the waterfalls between BMA and the BJCC.  Our lunch was delicious!  I think we are all ready to go back!   I was so proud to see students standing behind their chairs waiting on everyone to arrive, the young gentlemen pulling out chairs for the ladies, impeccable manners, polite conversation.....what a fantastic group of kids!  I think I will keep them again next year! :)

Thank you to the parents who attended the trip. You were all wonderful - so supportive and so much help!  Our bus driver, Mrs. Wood, was delightful and a safe driver.  All in all it was a wonderful day!  I am so thankful for these students!

Our 4th grade field trip is being rescheduled due to the weather....info coming soon!

Manners Matter!

G.A.T.E. students have been learning about ETIQUETTE in class!  Students have practiced setting a table, putting their napkins in their laps, pulling out chairs for the ladies, and all kinds of great manners! G.A.T.E. students will travel to the Birmingham Museum of Art on April 10th and 11th to tour the permanent art collection with the Color My World tour.  Docents will lead students through the galleries so that they can see first-hand the art they have been studying.  After our tour parents, grandparents, and students will dine in the museum restaurant, Oscar's at the Museum.  Students have made place cards for themselves and their guests which will be on the tables for our etiquette luncheon.  Students will "graduate" from our etiquette unit by using the great manners they have learned in class.  Enjoy a few photos of students setting the table in our "Table Setting Challenge!"  Check back soon for pictures of our field trip!