Beginning Explorations

Preschool 3's

In the preschool 3's class, the children are beginning to explore color using paint.  The study began with mixing red and yellow paint in a jar.  As the children watched the transformation occur, they wondered what it would look like on paper and how the paint would feel on their hands.  Was it a cool temperature?  Did it feel squishy or gooey?  Was it sticky?  The children loved making new discoveries with the paint as they transferred it to
a paper surface. We wondered what movements or engagement they'd have with the color.  We observed children mashing, swirling, smoothening, and scratching the color.   As the children interact with color in different ways, the energy level in the atelier is high, full of excitement and joy!


Preschool 4's

As the children continue on their journey, new discoveries are made everyday and little treasures are found throughout their weekly walks.  The children returned one day with a ripe papaya and began to use their senses to explore this wonderful fruit.  They looked at the shape, smelled it, felt the skin, listened to the sounds it made as they shook it and as it was cut open.  Lastly, they were able to taste this delicious fruit.  From this experience, the children began observational drawing only using a pencil at first.  The children also mixed paint to match the papaya's tone at the easel.  Later, the children were reintroduced to craypas as another tool to use for their drawing.  We will continue doing observational drawings as the children return with more treasures.


Kindergarten

The kindergarten students are exploring the different centers within the atelier: metal insets, drawing, beading, painting, blocks, light table, and collage.  As the children use this time to create and imagine, we will also be doing self-portrait drawings.  This process allows the children to look at themselves, to see the differences and similarities in each other, and to have a greater appreciation for who they are.  Each drawing will be posted in the gallery in the upcoming weeks.  

Posted on September 3, 2008 12:05 PM | Permalink