Brainstorming: The Crucial First Step!

It’s the start of a new semester, and that means students are working towards their capstone projects for the spring semester. 

Their capstone project revolves around the multifaceted concept of the window as a tangible, functional object and as a symbolic representation of children’s perception and comprehension of reality.

Maria introduced brainstorming as the indispensable first step in their research process. She crafted a large “window” made of cardboard and white paper and invited students to draw or write everything that came to mind when thinking about a window. 

A fourth grader drew the view from her bedroom window – cats, other people’s apartments, and when it is dark, she sees her own reflection in the window. 

Two fifth graders worked together to make a detailed storyboard about the end of the world. 

One third grader sees “the Tik Tok guy” from his bedroom window (along with a candy store, a cat store, and “the big man”)!

Another third grader used the brainstorming window to create a large maze that almost filled up the entire space. 

It was a joy to watch students interpret the world around them and learn that brainstorming is a crucial – and fun! – part of the creative process. 

Maria's work at Hudson Guild is supported by the Emergency Arts Education Fund, which provides free arts education to NYC school communities whose art programs have been decimated by recent budget cuts.

Children’s Museum of the Arts’ three Residents Artists are currently implementing ambitious arts curriculum at each of our partner sites throughout New York City: Hudson Guild in Chelsea, Sid Miller Academy in Crown Heights, and Children’s Workshop School in the East Village. Come spring, our residents will showcase their students' work through exhibitions and installations across the city. Learn how you can support the work of our residents here.