Each year at Big Thought, staff members draw a name out of a hat and decorate that coworker's cube. This fun activity allows us all a chance to surprise our fellow employees with our creativity. Here are pics of some of this year's excellent decorations. Happy Holidays to one and all!
Friday, December 18, 2009
Get Involved
Looking for things to do this holiday season? Try giving back to your favorite nonprofits! Donate, Volunteer, get Hired - the possibilities are endless. These links will take you to places where you can do those things for us, but be sure to check out our 70+ arts & cultural partners, too. Every nonprofit is in need of help for the holidays and we truly appreciate the generosity and support of our community!
Friday, December 11, 2009
Photo Friday!
In honor of the second DaVerse Lounge event - happening at the Backbeat Cafe in Dallas TONIGHT! - here are some fantastic pics taken by Delilah from Besitos Photography. Looking for something to do this Friday evening? Come down to Backbeat (at 300 N. Akard Street in Dallas) at 7:30 pm to see some incredible kids express themselves through spoken word. As always, the students will be accompanied by the band Melody Memory, and Will Richey from Journeyman Ink will be hosting. See you there!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Get to Know: Library Live!
Library Live! has been a part of our program lineup for 16 years. This free monthly pre-literacy program takes place in every Dallas Public Library branch, where Big Thought artists present interactive, educational and culture-based literacy activities for children and their families through music, dance, storytelling and visual art.
This year, Library Live! is sponsored by Target, a corporation known for its generosity and dedication to community giving. The program is overseen by Ann Symns, Big Thought's Program Operations Manager. Each month, Ann books different artists for each of the 26 branches of the Dallas Public Library. Just in the past month, preschoolers in Dallas have had the chance to make a song with musician Doc Gibbs, practice yoga with Lynn Moon, learn about nursery rhymes with Dorayne Breedlove and much more.
Library Live! is one of our most important programs because it is meant for children at a critical developmental age - and their parents and caregivers. The techniques taught in each program are replicable by parents, so the learning continues long after the families have left the library. Thanks to the generosity of Target and the hard work of our Big Thought artists and staff like Ann, we are able to offer a pre-literacy program to the children of Dallas that will help them develop the critical skills they need to succeed in life.
This year, Library Live! is sponsored by Target, a corporation known for its generosity and dedication to community giving. The program is overseen by Ann Symns, Big Thought's Program Operations Manager. Each month, Ann books different artists for each of the 26 branches of the Dallas Public Library. Just in the past month, preschoolers in Dallas have had the chance to make a song with musician Doc Gibbs, practice yoga with Lynn Moon, learn about nursery rhymes with Dorayne Breedlove and much more.
Library Live! is one of our most important programs because it is meant for children at a critical developmental age - and their parents and caregivers. The techniques taught in each program are replicable by parents, so the learning continues long after the families have left the library. Thanks to the generosity of Target and the hard work of our Big Thought artists and staff like Ann, we are able to offer a pre-literacy program to the children of Dallas that will help them develop the critical skills they need to succeed in life.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Photo Friday!
Photo Friday returns! Here are some more FANTASTIC canvases included in the Barneys holiday window art installation. These are pieces painted by the phenomenal after-school students at Long Middle School in Dallas. Which one is your favorite?
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Have a Witty Holiday!
Please extend a hearty "Welcome Back" to our After-School guest-blogger, Judy Danielson! Judy's kiddos have been hard at work getting ready for the holidays at Mills Elementary. Here's a sneak peek at what they've been up to this month:
Last week was another week of adventure and learning in Thriving Minds After-School Program at Mills Elementary. On Monday, fourth and fifth graders worked on their team building skills. All of the students have been writing their own short plays and are doing an outstanding job. Kindergarten and first grade made turkeys from oranges and felt pieces. Second and third grade had Mad Science on Wednesday and learned about optical illusions. The children have been earning tickets for good behavior, following directions, being a good leader, being kind, etc. On Friday we had our Reward Store, where my office turns into a Chuck E. Cheese-like store where the children can exchange their tickets for prizes ranging from candy to pencils to stickers to Hot Cheetos! For some, it's the only time they have their own "money" to spend and the decision-making process can be brutal. It is a great incentive and in a roundabout kind of way, a math lesson to figure out how many prizes you can get for your tickets.
On Saturday evening, I gathered some friends and we headed off to Barneys New York at NorthPark Center to see the "Have a Witty Holiday" window art. Our afterschool students at Mills participated in a project with Barneys to provide art for their Holiday Windows. Under the direction of artist and instructor Junanne Peck, the children painted canvases of the funniest person in their lives, or the person who makes them laugh. The visual presentation of the children's paintings is outstanding. The kids all did such good work and Barneys has done a fabulous job displaying their work.
I am so proud of my kids, and people were stopping to look in the windows! How cool is that? Of course, like any proud Mother Hen, I let people know that my afterschool kids created the paintings. Most of the salespeople in Barneys now know me and all about Thriving Minds After-School, too. I encourage all of you to go to Barneys and see the windows. I know you will be touched. I can't wait to share all the pictures I took with my kids and their families!
Judy Danielson
Community Site Manager, Mills Elementary
Thriving Minds After-School
*Editor's note: The Barneys window displays of the children's art from Mills, Tatum Elementary and Long Middle School will be up throughout the holiday season. Stop and take a look while you're doing your Christmas shopping - it's quite a sight to see!
Last week was another week of adventure and learning in Thriving Minds After-School Program at Mills Elementary. On Monday, fourth and fifth graders worked on their team building skills. All of the students have been writing their own short plays and are doing an outstanding job. Kindergarten and first grade made turkeys from oranges and felt pieces. Second and third grade had Mad Science on Wednesday and learned about optical illusions. The children have been earning tickets for good behavior, following directions, being a good leader, being kind, etc. On Friday we had our Reward Store, where my office turns into a Chuck E. Cheese-like store where the children can exchange their tickets for prizes ranging from candy to pencils to stickers to Hot Cheetos! For some, it's the only time they have their own "money" to spend and the decision-making process can be brutal. It is a great incentive and in a roundabout kind of way, a math lesson to figure out how many prizes you can get for your tickets.
I am so proud of my kids, and people were stopping to look in the windows! How cool is that? Of course, like any proud Mother Hen, I let people know that my afterschool kids created the paintings. Most of the salespeople in Barneys now know me and all about Thriving Minds After-School, too. I encourage all of you to go to Barneys and see the windows. I know you will be touched. I can't wait to share all the pictures I took with my kids and their families!
Judy Danielson
Community Site Manager, Mills Elementary
Thriving Minds After-School
*Editor's note: The Barneys window displays of the children's art from Mills, Tatum Elementary and Long Middle School will be up throughout the holiday season. Stop and take a look while you're doing your Christmas shopping - it's quite a sight to see!
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