1st Graders Journey through Four Seasons at the Metropolitan Museum

The First Grade braved frigid March winds and a crowded 6 train this morning to explore the cycle of the four seasons at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Three museum docents led small groups of our kids in closeup analysis and sketching of selected pieces. The children discovered seasonal themes in the plaster work of holly leaves, buds, blossoms, and pumpkins in a rarely-opened original room from the 18th-century Kirtlington Park manor (brought from the British Isles to the Met in 250 pieces). The children investigated the lush summer setting of a French Gobelins tapestry depicting the mythological story of Diana and Actaeon. (Check out the Met kids' activity guide, Weaving a Story at the Met.) One group also learned how Louis Comfort Tiffany created his famous Autumn Landscape stained-glass window. The kids thought Tiffany's confetti-glass technique was especially cool! After the freezing walk back to the subway, the kids are all agreed that they're ready for spring and to fnally say good-bye to scarves, gloves and wool hats! They'll be coming home this evening with Free Family Passes both to the Met and to the Cloisters (good for 10 people each), so look in those backpacks!