I regularly incorporate a variety of art activities with Prep students (Foundation/Reception/first year of primary school) to explore and reinforce the use of primary colours. This particular project not only revisited primary colours but also focused on the elements of line and shape, while introducing students to basic sewing techniques using hessian (burlap). I chose … Continue reading Sewing on Hessian~ Prep-Yr 1
To fit in with a classroom topic of Community, in the Art room we looked at the physical community made up of streets, houses, schools, shops and other services. Materials: Grey strips of cover paper (for streets) A3 cover paper for background (white or coloured) Coloured squares and triangles (pre-cut -for houses etc.) Small figure … Continue reading Me in My Community ~ Prep
A perfect activity for the beginning of the year with Prep/Foundation students: it allows you to get to know the children while helping them feel comfortable with a familiar theme. Some preparation is required: gluing floss sticks onto paper to form a house shape. This can be done after the students draw their family members, … Continue reading Family in my house~ Prep
Also very suitable for Yr 1-2! Collage using papers made with push / pull forces - Science link The Prep students engaged in some activities involving using FORCES of push and pull to make various painted papers. They rotated around three tables and made three different papers. One activity was working with a partner with … Continue reading Flowers in a Vase Collage~Prep
Preps looked at some close up flower artworks by Georgia O'Keefe, discussing shapes and colours and the use of space. Students practised drawing various flower shapes in their scrap book and then chose the design for their artwork. On a square of cartridge paper, they used a paint stick to draw the flower making sure … Continue reading Flowers and Bees ~ Prep
Much of Spanish artist, Joan Miro's later work is wonderful inspiration for young children because of it's child and dream like simplicity and abstract nature. Many of his works at this time were quite surreal and imaginative that used shapes, symbols and a limited colour palette. He often used primary colours too. We looked at … Continue reading Miro Primary Colour Portraits~Prep
Two books by Todd Parr: "It's OK to be Different" and "Be Who You Are" (Todd Parr website) are fabulous to explore the theme of diversity with young children. The illustrations are simple and bright, and lend themselves to this activity where Prep students choose different coloured faces, hair style and accessory to make a … Continue reading Todd Parr inspired portraits~Prep
Preps have been learning about 'diversity' and that differences should not only be respected but celebrated! We shared the book "The Mixed Up Chameleon" by Eric Carle where the chameleon wanted to be like other animals but after becoming like each one and getting mixed up, decided it was actually great being himself after all. … Continue reading Colour Change Chameleons~ Prep
The theme of 'change' is a perennial one in primary school, and for Prep students, caterpillars to butterflies along with Eric Carle's 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' is a wonderful inspiration for art lessons. Last year's Preps made painted paper caterpillar & butterfly collages which were amazing. This year in the classroom they were looking more … Continue reading Hungry Caterpillars & Beautiful butterflies ~ Prep art lesson
Eric Carle's children's books and illustrations are a delight to read to children and also a wonderful inspiration so many art projects- who doesn't love painted paper collages? The Prep students (first year at Primary school) were working on a theme of "Growth and Change" and the story "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" fits in beautifully. … Continue reading Hungry Caterpillars ~ Eric Carle inspired. Prep collage art lesson
