Welcome to Atelier

Aloha and Welcome back to all new and returning students! 

For the past three weeks, the children and I have been getting to know each other.  The preschool teams and I felt this was the best way for all of us to get acquainted and to build a trusting relationship.  This is a key part of each child's learning process.  Once the children feel comfortable with a teacher, only then are they able to truly express themselves through their work and also in this case, the atelier.  Thank you all for allowing me to build this relationship.

Preschool 3's and 4's
In both the three- and four-year-old classrooms, easel painting has been available during morning Discovery Time.  The three-year-olds have been exploring with black and white paint: one week on white paper, the next week on black paper.  We are beginning with black and white so that the children can focus on the qualities of paint -- texture, movement on paper, thickness, etc. -- and on the variations in brush strokes depending on the size of the brush, the amount of paint applied to the brush, and the pressure applied to each brush stroke.  So much to learn about paint! Since the four-year-olds have had a full year of experience with paint, they began mixing their own colors to create a mini-palette.  They too have experienced color on white paper, then on black paper.  The four-year-old children have also enjoyed face painting, a natural progression from paper, as they explore their face as another surface, quite different from paper.



Kindergarten
The kindergarten children began with learning about the atelier or revisiting their understanding. We discussed the different centers that will be offered throughout the year and took a closer look at some of the tools used for drawing.  The children were also given a sketch book, which will be used throughout the year as a tool for them to express their thoughts on paper.  All the children experienced drawing larger scale pictures after placing butcher paper on the floor. What do you notice about the photos?  See the gallery for more pictures.

Posted on August 28, 2008 3:01 PM | Permalink