LVCC School-Age Artwork To Be Displayed at Allentown Art Museum

The after-school participants from LVCC at Lincoln School in Emmaus pose with Artist Jill Odegaard
and their woven rug, which will be on display at the Allentown Art Museum. 

LVCC families will have the opportunity to view their children's artwork at the Allentown Art Museum this summer. Nearly 100 children, ages five through 12, participated in Woven Welcome, a community-based art project conducted by the Allentown Art Museum. Woven Welcome utilizes weaving as a way to connect individuals and groups through the creative process. The program is the brainchild of local artist and Cedar Crest College Art Department Chair, Jill Odegaard. 

Museum representatives brought mobile looms to LVCC's after-school programs at Muhlenberg, Lincoln and Shafer Elementary Schools, as well as Nazareth Area Intermediate School.

The children learned the art of weaving rugs while working in teams, which required communication and problem solving skills. They quickly caught on to the pattern of looming over and under the warp.

Each weft thread represents individuals weaving through our day-to-day lives, and the many roles we play. As more material is added, a "community" soon forms.

Beginning June 3rd, the colorful rug segments will be connected and then unveiled as part of larger exhibit at the Allentown Art Museum throughout the summer. LVCC's rugs will be tagged for easier identification. Admission to the Museum is free on Thursdays from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Sundays from noon until 4:00 p.m.

The after-school participants from LVCC at Nazareth Intermediate proudly show off their finished rug.

The woven rug made by LVCC at Muhlenberg School students will be among the many displayed.

Building Core Skills Through Gymnastics

To foster physical and emotional development, school-age children attending LVCC at Muhlenberg received gymnastics instruction. For four weeks, the Parkettes brought their nationally-known gymnastics routine to the after-school program.

The students experienced the importance of physical fitness, including strength, balance, flexibility and coordination. They gained physical benefits and confidence while tumbling and jumping. As the children became more familiar with the flips and cartwheels, their self-esteem grew. The trampoline was the most popular activity.

View Photo Album of Parkettes Gymnasium

Robotics Rule!

During the holiday break, LVCC at Truman School discovered the fun of making and commanding robots. Mr. Hans from Computer Explorers led the instruction. Using LEGO® kits and lap-top computers, the children worked hands-on in small teams to build simple machines. The technology-focused project introduced engineering and programming to children, ages 5-12.

Experimenting with Elephant Toothpaste

Science can be foamy fun! Just ask LVCC at Nazareth Area Intermediate School. While experimenting (under adult supervision) with concentrated hydrogen peroxide, dish detergent and dry yeast, the kids discovered "Elephant Toothpaste." 

Food coloring was added to give the "toothpaste" a cool color. The yeast caused the chemical reaction, acting as a catalyst, to release the extra oxygen gas. And finally, the soap created all the foam.

Fourth and fifth graders, Olivia and Abbi, demonstrate the process.

 

A Lesson in Feeding Those Less Fortunate

The Nazareth Area Food Bank will receive a substantial amount of food to distribute for the holidays thanks to the children enrolled at LVCC at Shafer School and LVCC at Nazareth Area Intermediate School.

The students began collecting canned and boxed items on October 22nd. The goal was to collect 100 items between both locations by December 21st. The children exceeded their goal a whole month earlier than anticipated with a total of 130 food items.

One young boy brought in 16 boxes of cereal. When asked what prompted him to bring in so much food, he answered, "I told my dad we needed 16 more boxes of food to reach our goal. He said he would should get 30." What a great dad and what a thoughtful child!

The teachers and students kept track of the food collected with a progress chart. As the children brought in items, they filled in lines adding up the numbers on the chart.

"We didn't want to make this a contest," commented Ms. Candy, LVCC teacher. "We wanted the kids to give from the heart."

As a thank you for reaching the goal without any reward expectations, the LVCC teachers will throw a surprise pizza party for the Nazareth children in December.