Showing posts with label Art Instruction for The Very Young. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Art Instruction for The Very Young. Show all posts

Saturday, May 11, 2013

introducing preschoolers to play dough

The Seven Playdough Activities That Develop Learning Are: 
  1. A playdough treasure hunt helps little ones identify surface differences and is a sensory activity developing coordination that encourages inspection and observation.
  2. Practice cutting playdough with scissors in order to develop small motor skills and eye-hand coordination.
  3. Building with playdough, the most obvious of learning activities, teaches spacial relationships and self-confidence.
  4. Cutting shapes and recognizing colors prepares them for reading.
  5. Calling out shapes, numbers and words for your child to sculpt, helps them practice what they have learned.
  6. Making playdough helps children to learn measurements, take direction, and cooperate in a group.
  7. Guessing scents helps them make sensory connections.
      All of the activities above not only support the development of art skills but also promote those skills connected to reading, math, and physical education. So much of what preschoolers and kindergarteners learn in art is directly connected to those learning skills needed to excel in different fields of study.
      This is true for older students as well, but, much more difficult for a few administrators and many politicians to accept. Art is the subject most frequently cut from public school curriculum when budgets are tight. It is seldom included in state examinations for this reason. Public schools want the ability to cut art out of their schools should the money become sparse. So, they refuse to include art in the student's testing. No tests, no need to keep art teachers employed . . . capeash?

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

murals painted by young students

      I took the following photographs of the student murals in the elementary school where I work. I am not yet sure about when the murals were painted. I work with kids here in an after school program and have yet to speak with someone who knows the original history of the murals. I thought my readers might be interested in them, however. These are so bright and cheerful. Perhaps some of you may be thinking about doing a similar project with your young students?










Monday, October 31, 2011

teaching textiles and sewing to young people

      Preschool and Kindergarten sewing activities that will improve eye-hand motor skills are a must. Below, I have listed the most common supplies that even a homeroom teacher may adapt for quiet time use with her small charges. Teachers should only supply large, plastic, round-tipped needles to children this young!
  • Lacing Cards
  • Stringing Giant Beads
  • Sew'n Sew (wooden sewing block)
  • Stringing cereal
Sewing activities for first through third graders may be similar to the above suggestions only slightly more complicated in nature.
  • Two-sided felt animals with pre-cut holes. Teachers can also craft projects like these using paper.
  • Stringing small beads
  • Stringing dried fruit or candy as a gift for a parent
  • Sewing decorative threads to pre-printed holiday cards
Sewing for fourth graders and up! Although there are many children younger than nine or ten who can sew, we suggest that teachers wait until fourth or fifth grade to introduce kids to sewing projects in the classroom. This is because sewing with sharp needles requires some mature accountability on the part of a student. Teachers need to be in charge of any artistic activities that involve this kind of risk taking. A sewing needle can seem harmless enough, but, there are many health risks involved when open wounds are probable, even when the wound is the size of a pin prick. So proceed with caution and write a note home or send an e-mail to your student's parents explaining that their child will be expected to conduct themselves appropriately with sewing materials in your classroom.

What should be included in a young student's first sewing kit?
  • A needle threader - Small fingers and inexperienced eyes can not always keep a needle threaded properly so, keeping a needle threader on hand is a very good idea.
  • A pincushion is sometimes included in a fancy little sewing basket. But, no matter what type of kit your student chooses, he or she should have a small pincushion included in it. Many teachers choose to assign a pincushion first before all other projects are considered. This is a traditional introductory lesson for any person learning to sew.
  • I prefer tiny scissors to a seam riper for children. A seam riper in a beginning sewing class or workshop for young children, is an accident waiting to happen!
  • A small variety of threads - Threads come in very small quantities at sewing shops. It is easy to find tiny spools of thread even in the grocery store. Black, white, navy, red, yellow, pink and pale blue cotton thread are all quite common in these small packs.
  • Sampling of buttons - Students will use odd buttons for decorative purposes or for practice in a beginning sewing class.
  • Her own needles - Students should never share their needles with each other under any conditions what-so-ever! Make this a class rule. The teacher may keep extra needles at her own desk for those students who forget their own. Students should not return the needle to the teacher after using it. In order to prevent the transfer of illness this rule must be reinforced in the classroom.
  • A white piece of chalk is needed for marking fabric. There are also fancy marking pens that older students may wish to purchase.
  • A small tape measure - This is a must even for little kids because it incorporates basic math skills into their sewing projects. Teachers may wish to print and cut these out to help save money on the kit supplies.
  • Band-aids are a must for a kit.
  • Antiseptic spray or an anti-biotic cream is also very important as well inside of any sewing kit. Those needle pricks will occur and they heal up fast with medicine on the spot.
  • A thimble
A simple plastic container with a lid may
be used by students learning to sew.
What should a sewing kit look like? A student's first sewing kit could be a simple basket, preferably with a lid or a small plastic container. Sometimes teachers prefer to purchase plastic containers all at once for a discount. This also guarantees that the kits will be of uniform size and appearance. Teachers may choose to stack kits neatly on a shelf during the school day. Some students are too forgetful to be trusted with bringing a sewing kit to class when it is needed. Boys can also be a bit self-conscious about packing a sewing kit into their backpacks as well. Personally, I prefer to give the task to the student of "scouting out" their own sewing kit. I believe that individuality and personal choice should be rewarded to a child's artistic pursuits whenever possible. Encourage the girl who wishes to purchase a small attractive basket or an unusual box for her first sewing kit. Have examples of many small kits on hand to show your students the possibilities. Make sure that several of these samples are not too feminine in appearance or very expensive to collect.
      Here is a linking list to several versions of sewing kits that parents may acquire for their children to use. These kits make wonderful birthday gifts for a young girls. I've also included a few links to historical versions of sewing kits as well.
      If you are a parent homeschooling your children and wish to teach sewing skills, you may consider gifting a child with a kit designed for sewing fishing lures. A bait and tackle box is an excellent alternative for a child who prefers this form of entertainment. Sewing skills need not be about clothing. This would also be an excellent winterum course for middle school students after Christmas break in a private school. These brief courses are usually taught for fun and faculty members are always on the look out for new ideas. Girls frequently gravitate to small needlework or quilting classes. However, for those students less inclined to sewing garments or fancy work, bait and tackle boxes have fun possibilities. These make great gifts for a dad if sons or daughters don't fish. If you intend to teach this type of course make sure that you acquire a good quantity of feathers and specialty products along with a basic manual before starting. There are actually films available that give instructions for crafting lures as well. Make sure that you have some "fish stories" and other fun activities to mix in with the threading or your student(s) may take a nap, well, it is fishing.

"Prickly Pins" is my new textile teaching blog

Popular Fiber Magazines:
Who publishes quality fiber resources:
Textile Suppliers for artists:
Textile Suppliers for teachers:
Great Pattern Resources Online:
Great Blogs for Sewing Ideas:

Sunday, May 29, 2011

edible playdough recipes

I do not encourage little ones to actually eat clay, this develops in them inappropriate habits. However, these recipes are used sometimes by pre-school teachers who have trouble with tiny children putting things into their mouths. If they consume a bit of these recipes, the ingredients are non-toxic and should not injure them.

Kool-Aid Playdough
1 cup flour
1/2 cup table salt
3 Tablespoons of oil
1 small package of Kool-aid
1 cup of boiling water

   Mix together in one bowl, 1 cup of flour, 1/2 cup of salt, 3 Tablespoons of oil and 1 small package of Kool-aid or any other sweetened powdered drink. Add 1 cup of boiling water to the mixture combine all of the ingredients together. Knead the dough mixture until it is formed into a soft ball.

Peanut Butter Playdoughs
1 cup of peanut butter
1 cup of corn syrup
1 1/2 cups of powdered milk
1/2 cup powdered sugar

Mix together the above ingredients. Children may mold this type of dough into shapes and add 'decorative' crackers, raisins, pretzels and baking chips to it. Do not bake it however.

2nd Peanut Butter Recipe
1 cup of peanut butter
1/2 cup dry powdered milk

Mix together the above ingredients. Children may mold this type of dough into shapes and add 'decorative' crackers, raisins, pretzels and baking chips to it. Do not bake it however.

More about edible art supply.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

homemade playdoughs and clays


Homemade Playdough
1 cup of flour
1/2 cup of table salt
1 cup of tap water
1 Tablespoon of oil
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
Food Coloring

Mix together all of the ingredients. Cook the mixture of medium heat until it forms a ball. Cool and knead the playdough to give it a smooth texture. Store homemade playdough in a plastic bag or a tightly covered plastic container.

Baker's Clay
4 cups of flour
1 cup of table salt
1 1/2 cups of cold water

Mix together the flour and salt in a large bowl. Add the water slowly and stir for a few minutes until a firm ball is formed in the bowl. Knead the dough on a wooden surface for five minutes. Shape the dough into any shape that you like and then put it onto a cookie sheet. Bake your masterpiece at 250 degress for 15-30 minutes until it has hardened.  Let the clay cool completely before painting it with acrylic paints. Varnish to seal; use polyurethane or shellac.

Cornstarch Playdough
1 cup of table salt
1 cup of cornstarch
1/2 cup of water
powdered tempera paint

Mix all of the dry ingredients together in a large bowl. Add the water to form a clay body.

Cornstarch Clay
1 cup cornstarch
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2/3 cup flour

Combine vegetable oil and cornstarch to make a syrupy mixture. Gradually add the flour until the clay is thick and doughy. Knead well and store the clay in an air tight container.

Thursday, December 23, 2010

the "elements of art" is kindergarten material

 

      Design elements can be found in the most obvious visual and tactile characteristics of any given person, place or thing. I have included in this article excellent books that may be read aloud in your classroom that will aid kindergarten students in the study of these seven principles. These exercises may then be repeated with more advanced art projects in 1rst and 2nd grade.
      Reading aloud to your classroom has many benefits. Introducing topics with a story will help young students to understand the important part of a lesson. This actually works with adults as well, but for now, we're talking about little folk. I prefer to read a book aloud in a kindergarten classroom because it helps to develop social skills. If students learn how to engage themselves with teachers in institutional environments at an early age, they will be more likely to repeat the same behaviors as they mature. Reading aloud gives me an opportunity to demonstrate and discuss with my students 'how' proper conduct is practiced as well as affording an excellent visual and verbal explanation for the concept I am teaching to them.

1. The Element of Space - "Space is the area provided for a particular purpose. It may have two dimensions (length and width), such as a floor, or it may have three dimensions (length, width, and height). Space includes the background, foreground and middle ground. Space refers to the distances or areas around, between or within components of a piece. There are two type of space: positive and negative space. Positive space refers to the space of a shape representing the subject matter. Negative space refers to the space around and between the subject matter."  
       Art teachers may demonstrate the concepts of space through the sharing of Ron Van Der Meers' pop-up book, "How Many, Spectacular Paper Sculptures." Other pop-up books may work just as well but I chose this one in particular because there are many geometric concepts in it that can also be discussed when you are teaching about the element of shape as well. Discuss with the students how space is represented and move your fingers in and out of the pop-ups while you are talking. 
      Another way to refer to space when speaking to children is to say that space describes "air." There is air that is outside and air that is inside. There is air in our lungs and air that is in balloons too! Air  like space are everywhere. Space describes the place where air is at.
 
2. The Element of Line - "Line is the basic element that refers to the continuous movement of a point along a surface, such as by a pencil or brush. The edges of shapes and forms also create lines. It is the basic component of a shape drawn on paper. Lines and curves are the basic building blocks of two dimensional shapes like a house's plan. Every line has length, thickness, and direction. There are curve, horizontal, vertical, diagonal, zigzag, wavy, parallel, dash, and dotted lines."

      The concept of line may be introduced through the classic children's book, "Harold and The Purple Crayon," by Crockett Johnson. There is an old film made of this children''s book. Visitors can watch it at teachertube to review the book before purchasing it. Young students will enjoy making all kinds of lines on their art projects but you can also demonstrate line by stringing yarn all over the classroom while you are talking or as they are watching the video. Then return to the art project and talk about what a line can do on paper.

3. The Element of Color - "Color is seen either by the way light reflects off a surface, or in colored light sources. Color and particularly contrasting color is also used to draw the attention to a particular part of the image. There are primary colors, secondary colors, and tertiary colors. Complementary colors are colors that are opposite to each other on the color wheel. Complementary colors are used to create contrast. Analogous colors are colors that are found side by side on the color wheel. These can be used to create color harmony. Monochromatic colors are tints and shades of one color. Warm colors are a group of colors that consist of reds, yellows, and oranges. Cool colors are group of colors that consist of purples, greens, and blues."
      Ellen Stoll Walsh wrote a charming little book called, "Mouse Paint." This book introduces color through the playful antics of three frightened mice! It's a must have for every elementary school art teacher. Have some mouse stamps or footprint stamps for students to use with finger paints after you read about color in this book.

4. The Element of Shape - "A shape is defined as an area that stands out from the space next to or around it due to a defined or implied boundary, or because of differences of value, color, or texture. Shapes can also show perspective by overlapping. They can be geometric or organic. Shapes in house decor and interior design can be used to add interest, style, theme to a design like a door. Shape in interior design depends on the function of the object like a kitchen cabinet door. Natural shapes forming patterns on wood or stone may help increase visual appeal in interior design. In a landscape, natural shapes, such as trees contrast with geometric such as houses."
      "It Looked Like Spilt Milk," by Charles G. Shaw, introduces the concept of shape wonderfully to small students. It also comes as a 'big book' which is very helpful to a classroom teacher when sharing a visual aid or story with a large group of students. Teachers may view "Miss Tracy" as she reads aloud this book on the youtube. Follow up with a paper collage project using blue and white papers. Students may wish to talk about the shapes they see in the clouds outside as they tear their own shapes for this project. 
      A more structured activity can be performed by printing out shapes of animals ahead of time on white typing paper. Instruct the students to tear the shape out along the lines' edge (contour). This type of manipulation develops eye-hand coordination. 
      It is important to remember that some art activities, such as the second one I mention above, are based primarily in methods. These are less creative but as long as a teacher clearly understands that creativity should be fostered as well and doesn't penalize it, then the methods projects will be seen as an important means to an end. It is only when art teachers insist upon the regulatory skills exceeding in value over creativity, that students, parents, and scholars appose their teaching practices.

5. The Element of Texture - "Texture is perceived surface quality. In art, there are two types of texture: tactile and implied. Tactile texture (real texture) is the way the surface of an object actually feels. Examples of this include sandpaper, cotton balls, tree bark, puppy fur, etc. Implied texture is the way the surface on an object looks like it feels. The texture may look rough, fizzy, gritty, but cannot actually be felt. This type of texture is used by artist when drawing or painting."

     There are many tactile books on the market, most of these are designed for infants. If I find an age appropriate one in the future, I will include it here. Have many objects to pass around the room that demonstrate different textures to the students. Let them hold these, feel them, and describe the textures to their peers. Then talk about how texture can be 'illustrated in a picture' but not always felt.

6. The Element of Form - "Form is any three dimensional object. Form can be measured, from top to bottom (height), side to side (width), and from back to front (depth). Form is also defined by light and dark. There are two types of form, geometric (man-made) and natural (organic form). Form may be created by the combining of two or more shapes. It may be enhanced by tone, texture and color. It can be illustrated or constructed."

      Corinne Demas Bliss writes the story of a little lost doll called, "The Littlest Matryoshka," that introduces a the more complex element of form. Have on hand a few examples of 'stackable toys' to show your young students. Show and explain that form is always 3 dimensional. It is different from shape because it describes a person place or thing as though it looks like you could actually move around it, inside of it, on top of it, etc...
      Another way to reinforce this concept is to have an example of a paper toy that has not been assembled. Talk with the students about how it has shapes of things on its' surface. Then, fold it properly in front of the class and talk about how the toy is now an example of form, because it has dimensions that look as though they can move through space. With this concept in mind, teachers can introduce certain ideas about how the elements relate to one another.

7. The Element of Value - "Value is an element of art that refers to the relationship between light and dark on a surface or object and also helps with Form. It gives objects depth and perception. Value is also referred to as tone."

      My favorite children's book to read that introduces the element of value is, "The Z Was Zapped," by Chris Van Allsburg. Value can be tricky to teach if you do not have clear examples of value placed next to examples of black and white prints. However, if your show these together, a young child will clearly see the difference between the two. 
      Value is usually taught to older students through gradiation projects. Although gradiation is too difficult a technique to teach to little ones, they can clearly be taught to recognize gradiation in pictures. Sometimes a visual example can speak volumes where words can not. I've included a visual below of my story selection and what it might look like if the 'values' of the image were removed.




(Definitions "" are from Wikipedia.org, the public domain encyclopedia)