Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Monday, December 5, 2011
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Secondary Colors
Over the past two weeks, we added color mixing with play dough and with water. This week we are mixing primary yellow and blue. Both mixing works are incredibly appealing to the children. The water mixing gives an immediate WOW! while the play dough mixing gives a more gentle awakening of the process. Today we put out the secondary colors matching work and papers, and a few children selected this already.
Here is the vase that holds the mixed water from the color mixing work. The children have been so fascinated by filling it up with their mixed water!
Here is YMG working on the colored water mixing:
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Watercolor Introduction – Sample Activity #3
We introduced watercolor painting to the children this week! The process is fairly simple, and it encourages the children to paint slowly and take notice of the strokes and how they appear on the paper. After selecting the paint tray and choosing a table to work at, the child selects an “art mat” and then a piece of water color paper. We purchased real watercolor paper and cut each piece in half. The paintings are much more vibrant on this paper than on regular paper! We created a drying rack area made from three stackable wire shelves, that are low to the floor and easy for the children to use.
Here is the work as it appears on the shelf:
Here is YMB’s first try with the watercolor tray:
MG was extremely eager to paint and was the first to receive a lesson. Many children gathered quietly around to watch her at work!
Part of the process of using the watercolor tray involves rinsing the brush between colors. Using the phrase “water, sponge, paint” has helped the children to remember the steps and the colors have not really gotten mixed at all this week!
Monday, October 10, 2011
Primary Colors – Art Sample #1 (Color Theory)
Today I introduced the color theory work for primary colors. It is such an eye-catching material and the children have been drawn to it! My favorite part of this work is the step in which I ask the child to “read” the names of the colors on the labels! Since the label is printed in the color it is identifying, the children are able to “read” it!
Here is the work as it appears on the shelf. The tray is in the front, the papers to color and take home are in a holder in back:
Here is RM after having matched the bottles of colored water and name labels:
Here is MG filling in the red circle on her paper:
Monday, September 19, 2011
Introduction to Using a Scissors – Art Sample #2 (cutting)
Today I introduced the first cutting activity, snipping paper. We have a series of short, thin strips of paper with lines printed on them as cutting guides. After the child is shown how to hold the scissors and open/close it, we snip the first paper that has thick, straight lines on it. We provided little bags to keep the snips in to take home.
Here is the work as it appears on the shelf: