Art and Orff at Smock

We decided to take a mid-term art break one afternoon this week. After lunch, we got bundled up and headed up to Smock Cafe. On our way there, we stopped off at Ko Fruit Market with our list of fruit we would need this week (since we forgot to order our Good Food Box!). Each child was allowed to pick a fruit of their choice and together they paid for it, took their change, brought me the receipt and carefully packed it up for travel. The kids made quite an impression on the shopkeeper who was patient and kind to them while her customers waited as the smallest among us wrestled a large watermelon onto the counter.

We arrived at Smock just in time for an Orff class we had scheduled with Monica from the Pearson School of Music. Some of our children had experience with Eurythmics but Orff was new to all of us. It is described as a method of teaching children music, movement, drama and speech and with its emphasis on engaging the physical, cognitive and imaginative aspects of the child all at once, it seemed a good fit with Montessori. We were more than impressed. The children were totally engrossed in the class, putting stories to song, playing instruments, singing and whirling around the room to the strains of Monica’s incredible cello playing.

Afterwards, the children were hosted in the Smock Wonder Workshop by Ted, who facilitated sock puppet, crown and jewellery making. Amandine was there to add her considerable artistic touch to the proceedings and Sara surprised us with a lovely platter of fruit. When it came time for pick up, no one wanted to leave.

Check it out:

Smock Cafe on Roncesvalles http://www.smockcafe.com/

Pearson School of Music http://www.pearsonmusic.ca/about.html

Amandine in the Garden http://www.amandineinthegarden.com/amandine_in_the_garden/accueil_bis.html