Hello Teachers,

My name is MarLyn McKinley. I am your Visual Arts Mentor.

If I have been assigned to come to your class this year, we will start with a first visit – the objective of which will be to plan your scenery, make assignments for paint day, and talk about supplies. I will need approximately 45 minutes to discuss all of this with you and your class.

It would be helpful for each of you teachers to be gathering your cardboard. Most generally you will need something equivalent to two refrigerator/freezer boxes. Other pieces may be needed for caves, time machines, etc. On occasion a third refrigerator box is needed if your story takes place equally in thee different places. For Example: ocean, outerspace or forest.

Anything to do with the actual paint day we will establish and talk about on this first visit. The only other visit I make is the actual Paint Day. I am involved with your class two days only.

You may e-mail me at any time to ask questions. We can accomplish a lot in this way.

For you teachers that are doing art on your own, remember these three things:

1. Organization and planning are key to a successful paint day. (Review the art section in your manuals or online at https://operabychildren.org/training/manual.html)

2. Get plenty of help for paint day – no less than 3, but preferably 5 or more adults. (Parents, relatives, neighbors or anybody willing and able.) Assign each helper an area to watch over.

3. Don’t stress. Let go, and let the kids do their thing with a little guidance. We are not trying to achieve perfection in an adult’s eyes. The perfection is in seeing what the children can do and the joy in their eyes when it is approved and celebrated.

MarLyn McKinley
mckinley131@comcast.net