Search results matching tags 'preschool' and 'art'

Re-Creating The Masters: Famous Works Interpreted By Little Hands

Anonymous — Tue, 07 May 2013 09:00:00 GMT

Hello again from Ayn at little illuminations!

In our Pre-K classroom, most of our art is process focused. Occasionally, though, we do a product focused project like this one. During NAEYC's "Week of The Young Child" this year, our school had special activities that were planned (not by me) for each day. One of the suggested ideas was for our class to re-create famous works for an art show. Each day, I introduced the kids to either a famous work or art style. We talked about how they thought the artist had gone about completing the work and what materials or mediums they might have used. Later each day, students were invited to join me in art center to "re-create" the piece we studied.

Pointillism

We first observed Georges Seurat's "Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte" and several other examples of pointillism. We talked about each painting was made of dots of color that formed the shapes in the paintings. The children then experimented with q-tips making pictures of their own.

Splatter Art (Jackson ***)

We examined a variety of Jackson ***'s works. We talked about different ways he might have made the splatters. The group decided to use toothbrushes to make the splatters on their papers.

Van Gogh's "Starry Night"

We took a long look at Van Gogh's "Starry Night". We talked about the lines in the paintings and the dark colors he used. I asked the children what colors they would need to re-create it. There were other colors available, but most of the students used black, blue, yellow and white.

Picasso's "Hand With Bouquet"

One of my favorite works is Picasso's "Hand With Bouquet". I love the simple lines and bright colors. I've done this particular painting with students before and usually get some lovely paintings. I think the bright colors and the simplicity appeals to them in a special way. We talked about how we would go about re-creating it. The children decided to use Sharpies to draw the hands and paint to make the flowers. A few of the kids traced their hands, others drew hands free form and still others skipped the hands altogether. I think they all came out quite lovely.

Each grouping was on display for our parents to enjoy for the week. We've gotten quite a few compliments. And although I am certainly not an art teacher, I think the children learned a few new techniques and learned a little about some famous works of art.

I'd love to hear how you've explored art with young children---feel free to share in the comments!

Stop by and visit me anytime at littleilluminations.blogspot.com or visit the little illuminations fanpage on facebook! And be sure to check out PreK+K Sharing EEE!

Sounds of The Birds and the Bees!

Anonymous — Wed, 01 May 2013 10:00:00 GMT

THE MONTH OF MAY! WELCOME!!!

It's time to turn another page on your calendar. Debbie Clement of RainbowsWithinReach here. Queen of this collaborative effort. Happy monarch of sharing: rainbows, polka dots and learning new things. I'm so excited about today's article. It's FILLED with sights and sounds and inspiration and joy and color and ideas and giggles and fun and snippets and projects and spring!

I've learned about SoundCloud in the last 24 hours. For the first time in my seventeen career as the 'music lady' and five years as a blogger, I can now share a little taste test of my ditties. I have also learned how to link a photo to another article! This is a LOT! I'm learning! I'm growing!
Oh happy spring-time!!!

This is the official beginning of the genuine, no-kidding race down the homestretch. The finish line is in sight for traditional classroom teachers. Have you begun your countdown? How many more Mondays do you have on your calendar?

Let's get started with some of those May flowers that we've anticipated from all of the April showers!

The clever spring bulletin board photos above are from Amber Osterman's "Kindergarten Rocks" hallway. I was able to make a serendipitous visit to her elementary in Osseo, WI on Monday. We met over the weekend at the 35th Annual ECE conference at UW-Stout. The blooms below were created in their art room.

Last week I was in Dixon, IL with our very own Carie Ramirez and photographed these next beauties! They are part of my Art History 101 article published over the weekend. The concentric circles are reminiscent of the work of Kandinsky.

BIRDIES. BABY BIRDIES. LITTLE BABY BIRDIES.

Spring is the season of new life. What greater delight is there than watching a nest being built, eggs being laid, and baby birdies emerging. Look at this project. Primary colors! Media in three dimensions. Bingo!

Now. Look what I have learned!

Embed a sound-clip of my own "Little Birdie" sing-a-long.

Listen along to a snippet.

You'll hear just how simple it is.

I use it with finger puppets.

"Busy, Buzzy Bumblebees"

YES! I also have a very simple little dittie all about bumblebees. It's called "Busy Bumblebee." You can take this one on a test drive, too. There are a total of four verses with a whole lot of alliteration!

"LADYBUG, LADYBUG"

Since the theme this month is 'Songs-of-Flight' take a look at all of these little red ladybug projects! Do you think that that ladybugs bring luck? They always make me smile. There are all sorts of possibilities when it comes to ladybugs!

Preschool Ladybugs on the Bulletin Board for Spring

Now for the final snippet of the month, my "Ladybug" dittie.

You'll notice the simplicity of my songs.

These three all have predictability in the lyrics.

Plenty of repetition.

Oodles of rhyme.

Perfect for Prek+K!

BIG NEWS!! All three of my little winged 'songs-in-flight' have now been converted into Mp3s and then placed into a happy bundle of togetherness and inserted into a zipped file.

The zipped file has then been uploaded under our very own cyber shopping, umbrella-of-excellence, at the EARLY EDUCATION EMPORIUM. Look for this image for your purchase and instant download. There is a simple lyric sheet included. Whooohoooo! Progress!

***Now let me see how else I can be a resource for you during this merry month of May! This is the part of the article where I practice embedding a photograph that links directly to another article from 'my' blog. So if you see something that looks interesting, just click on the picture and enjoy! Amy Ahola taught me just yesterday!

-- Debbie --

I'm now at 119,542 followers!

Click this link to go there directly!

As 'queen' of "PreK+K Sharing" Debbie Clement writes the first article here every month. She writes from her perspective of inter- disciplinary interest: quilting together ALL of the arts of music, movement, story-telling and the visual Arts as well.

Debbie has written and recorded over 100 original songs for children onto 6 CDs that she has under her RainbowsWithinReach banner. An additional 3 CDs have been designed for Zaner-Bloser and Redleaf Publishing.

She travels the country sharing her original zest. The photo at left was taken a couple of weeks ago in Dixon, IL. The quilt was created under the direction of Carie-the-kindergarten teacher (who contributes articles here on the 17th of the month) in response to Debbie's first picture book "You're Wonderful." Click on the photo to see another 14 quilts created in her building!!

Debbie is a Pinterest Princess and invites you to join 119,500+ followers of her curated boards. She has also been deemed at 'expert' in the Early Childhood channel at Sulia. Never been there? Give it a try!

All Things MUD Books + Art Projects

Anonymous — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 10:00:00 GMT

APRIL SHOWERS BRING “MUD!”

It is that time of the year when I watch the plants poke their little heads through the damp, cold, muddy earth. Every child should have the chance to see this spring event. They should be able to predict:

what will happen as the flowers grow

what color will they be
what kind of flower is it (daisy, tulip, etc.)
how does it smells.

Invite children to make a flower garden using a pop bottle, paper plate and paint. Invite the children to pick their colors and then give me brushes and paint to make the stems, leaves, and soil for their flowers. They can add any touches like the sun, butterflies, birds, rain or whatever their imaginations can conjure up.

As April showers fill our world with mud it is great fun to get mud from a familiar area for the children and invite them to finger paint with the mud.Talk about how the mud feels, smells and who lives in the mud. This is always an opportunity to talk to the children about WORMS

PLANTING

When a project like MUD, turns the conversation to another topic such as worms, seize the moment and find a good book.

Enjoy the beauty of spring as each day brings more color and experiences outdoors. Visit me *** www.storytellin.com, Facebook and check out PrekandKsharing EEE!

Mary Jo Huff

Author, Storyteller, Puppeteer

www.storytellin.com

Spring is Here! Spring Art Projects!!

Anonymous — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 11:57:00 GMT

WELCOME TO APRIL!!!

"April showers bring.............."
How do you finish that sentence?
Here's one possibility.

"April Showers bring...... mud!"

Spring-time Umbrellas with Painted Dots

Spring Rain Writing in Kindergarten

BRING ON THE SUNSHINE!
This idea always brings a smile. You can't go wrong with footprints and a paper plate!

Let's break out some blossom-inspiration in plenty of time to fill those spring bulletin boards. Let's get started with these painted handprint beauties. Handprints are another all-time easy-peasy project for the bulletin board.

Looking for a fine-motor scissor skill strengthening idea? How's this for your classroom? Snip those edges on a circle. Totally developmentally appropriate. LUV the details of the seeds, don't you?

I LUV LUV LUV this 'open-ended' process-work for spring. Look at all of the variations in this one class. Lots of different color choices for petals and then let the children create their own masterpieces!

I'm also a very big fan of the collaborative Art process. This one was a major big installation up in the hallways of a MI school that I visited. Making school visits and sharing the sights along the way is so much fun!

"Friendship Flower" Collaboration of Preschool Painted Handprints

Butterflies are a 'staple' when it comes to children's art. The folded paper 'blottos' above are a no-fail idea and yet completely unique. These next 'Eric Carle-like' creations were breath-taking in their simplicity. They were on display in Indiana and created under the loving eye of the school's art teacher.

Spring time fun: "The Birds and the Bees"
Let's get started with birdie eggs in a nest. Any open-ended art project that features a paper plate as a base, is one that can easily be replicated by others. These bases were painted first. Shredded bits were glued in place for the 'nesting' materials. Then everyone's favorite media material was added for the subject representation: eggs = PomPOMS!

Eggs-in-a-Nest Project: Bulletin Board for Spring

Spring-time bulletin board in Preschool

This next one is one of my all-time favorite ideas! I created this exercise in a VPK classroom in FL last year..... just in time for Earth Day. If you want to see just exactly how we put it together, you can go over to my blog to see the whole experience unfold. I'm still wild about the final picture, that evolved completely naturally. Once the kiddos were all moving in to inspect the final project, I made a point to get every student's hand in the final photo.

Pool Noodle
Tissue paper and scissors
Glue sticks
Camera + Hands = Priceless!

As you wind down your school year here in this hemisphere and wind-up your year on the other side of the globe, I have two thoughts on adding to your classroom experience from my 'catalog' of work. The first is my digital product for a fun reinforcement of the lifecycle of frogs using my song, "Pollywog" as the 4 verse vehicle to study metamorphosis.

"Pollywog" in Mp3 Format with Fine Motor Support Work

And finally..... so many classrooms in Preschool and Kindergarten alike will conclude their school year with some sort of PROGRAM -- either a Mother's Day presentation, an end of the year event, or a School 'graduation' ceremony-of-sorts. One of my songs, "You're Wonderful" is the perfect choice for such an event. The digital zipped file includes a chart for the sign language -- which makes a performance just that much more memorable. Here's a glimpse at just such an event.

Our Early Education Emporium -- the collaborative store of all of our authors and our friends just concluded our first 'quarter' yesterday!!! There are payments being calculated for our contributors as I type! Thank you readers for trusting us and adding to your resources from our cohorts! We gain additional momentum there every week. By all means, if you have 'product' to share with the early childhood world, please join us..... if you like shopping in your jammies with the authors you've come to know here -- we welcome you to visit our cyber store!
We've spent the weekend with family, friends and our Rockie-Mountain grand-wonders. I've been chasing my wonders -- thru sand and surf. I need some time to add a little more and get this 'article' wrapped up.

-- Debbie --

That's the Mr-Hubby-Clement-brains behind the EEE and our wonders!

A "Reggio-Approach" in Early Childhood

Anonymous — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 11:00:00 GMT

REGGIO.

Reggio Emilia, Italy.

---------------------------------

Hundred Languages of Children.

Welcome to an overview of a "Reggio" approach to ECE.

Let me preface today's article of visual insight with a little background. My degree is in Fine Arts and Art Education. I've spent over 30 years devoted to my passion of integrating the Arts into education. I now travel the country (and the world) sharing with educators and students just how that can be accomplished through weaving together music, dancing, story-telling, movement, writing. laughter and picture books as a foundation. A foundation with a 'hundred languages.' I have had the great good fortune of spending a couple of weeks in Italy. It was the opportunity of a lifetime to specifically tour across the province of Reggio Emilia, visiting, touring and performing in schools for the children there. It's a delight to share from this perspective.

A quick check of Wikipedia can give you an overview of the Reggio Approach. It is a philosophy that emerged after WW2 in response to the critical needs felt by parents on behalf of their children. Parents and teachers together. Teachers and parents together. Respecting the child. Arts. Documentation. Environment. Long-term projects. Arts. REGGIO!

From my personal scrapbook: that's the two story foyer of one of the new early childhood buildings in Reggio Emilia. A child's drawing has been ENLARGED by professional artists across the two story entrance to set a tone of child-friendly welcome as you join this new space. If you look closely in the large photo above, just below the large heart, to the right is the original child's drawing taped to the wall for comparison. What JOY!!!

Let me say that it has always been my understanding that it is the 'environment' that plays such a significant role in Reggio. Environment and Arts. These basics are one differentiation from a 'typical,' even outstanding US educational classroom. This environment itself is considered the 'third teacher.' The classroom is designed as something of a 'studio.'

In Italy there are often working artists involved in the program who have their actual studio space within the school setting. Arts are integrated at every opportunity. Children are not excluded from the 'professional' arts process, but available to it. Observing it in action. Integrated into it. Surrounded by it. Inspired by it and offering inspiration, too! The presentation of supplies, art supplies in particular, makes you feel like you are in an artist's studio. The materials are invitational in their organization. Beauty. Color. Light. Shadows. Holistic. Plants. Life. Sensory. Respect. Integrated.

Atelier and Psicomotricita

The majority of photos today are from my recent Author-Illustrator school visit to the Childhood League Center in Columbus, OH. This is a private school devoted to serving young children with special needs. It is also the setting for the first ten years of my professional career. It is a site that has prioritized sending staff to Reggio Emilia, Italy to observe their approach to educating young children in action. The ultimate field trip.

BEHOLD THE RESULTS: MATERIALS

Yes. My own blog is entitled, "Rainbows Within Reach." The photos above are indeed rainbows that are truly within-the-reach of students. Aren't they glorious in their simplicity? In their organization? In their presentation? Don't you feel like something special is about to happen with these spectrum of 'mark-makers' at your disposal? There is an implied understanding that you will use these implements, these tools and then you will return them to their rightful spot. Color theory at work. KUDOS.

Now take a look at a writing center set up in a corner of the cafeteria area of the building. Look how glorious are the materials surrounding the paper and pens. Shells. Nature. Glitter. Clipboards ready-to-go. Inspiration and implementation -- all in one spot. Please, let me participate! My eyes are so delighted with this desk-top. Let me show you what I think.

DOCUMENTATION (Photographs)
Documentation is an ENORMOUS component of a Reggio program. Documentation is to benefit everyone. Documentation is for the teacher's reference of the learning process. Documentation is for the parents who weren't able to participate in the process initially. Documentation is for the children to reflect upon the process. Documentation is for visitors to observe the process in absentia.

The children can observe themselves in action in the photos and then be prompted to conversation about the activity. Remember. Reflect. {Many of the students in this particular program have language delays. Seeing themselves at work is a great motivator to conversation. Reggio works across the spectrum of children and their needs from the most typical-of-typicals to the most profoundly in need.} Documentation plays its own role in the process.

My photograph above is of three photos that are hanging on display in the school's hallway, documenting the children at work, immersed in their painting at the easel process. The hallways of the Center are a genuine Art Gallery of sorts. As important as examples of the finished product, happily on display below, is the shared celebration of the act of the process underway.

In addition to seeing so many photos of friends-at-work in the public spaces of the building, there are also numerous 'explanations' of what is happening, what is expected, what materials were used, what resource was used as the original prompt and inspiration. Documentation is everywhere. The parents are invited into the process even in their absence.

Next up you'll see the completed 'project' that emerged from much process work.

Marshmallows used as painting implements.

Marshmallow paint brushes!

Blue paint.

Collaboration.

Paint.

Cut.

Glue.

Display.

[*I LUV LUV LUV that there are some actual marshmallows as part of the final installation.]

Hanging right next to the completed collaboration above, is the documentation below.

The teachers have created a four photo collage of children-at-work.

There is a hand-written paragraph of the work together.

BAZINGA!

Nature plays a big role in a Reggio approach. Natural materials are on hand at every juncture. How about a homework assignment that ask the family to go outside and gather some natural materials together and to send the gathered outcome back to school. THEN? The students spend time categorizing the collections. The natural materials themselves become a display initially and then will be used to augment projects, explorations and work.

A Reggio setting is often distinguishable by its prominent use of living plants within the classroom. A 'home-like' environment is a model. Beauty. Design. Nature.

One of my favorite things about Reggio approach is how often children are encouraged to think and investigate in three dimensions. Sculpture from a very early age. Blocks and building are central to Reggio, but other materials can also go three dimensional. Enjoy these marshmallow sculptures. I'm wild about the integration of so many materials in these explorations. Toothpicks. Pipe cleaners. Sequins. Straws.

There is no one right answer. Explore. Investigate. Build. Document.

Every quality children's program is filled with books. Every quality program has teachers 'extending' the picture book through direction of student response. I'm a big fan of seeing this 'display' that houses the picture book prompt right in the midst of the student's responses. The artist used fabric for illustrations. The students use fabric in their response. Delightful.

Now let's leave the public hallway, art gallery and enter a classroom space. This group of children have been heavy-duty into creating their own rain forest in their room. Hanging from the ceiling are a forest of coffee filter trees in full leaf. Notice the integration of genuine branches. Hanging behind the trees is a waterfall created from shiny Mylar that reflects the light across the room and through the artful leaves.

These hanging layers of jungle can be navigated and explored, winding ever closer to the waterfall -- which is closest to the classroom window.

Look at how the Mylar bounces the classroom's artful colors through the 'falling water.' An ever-changing science experiment unfolding right before your eyes. What happens tomorrow when the sun comes out? On a rainy day? How does this waterfall change the classroom space?

Subdividing the classroom space is a portable wall that has become part of the ever expanding Rain Forest. The torn paper leaves are supplied by young fingers developing fine motor skills to grasp paper. Other students are able to cut out appropriate photos from magazines of exotic locales and creatures beyond the asphalt outer-belt of their typical childhood experience. The collage continue to expand as the project is explored over time.

To continue on the exploration theme, the binoculars are supplied to examine the Rain Forest as it continues to expand, inviting conversation along the way. Binoculars and magnifying glasses are such a pleasure in investigate further. Search for details.

The 'extra' Mylar has found a home in the sensory table, with Rain Forest surprises mixed in the shiny, crinkly material. Oh what fun to go excavating! Fingers on the move. Lots of sensory input. Lots of enthusiasm!

Across the hall from the Rain Forest, is another classroom of its own unique design and individual flair. A "castle" with exotic tapers? Fairy land perhaps? A place for all sorts of imagination to be nurtured.

This next photo is one taken in Ohio. The open-ended "process" work is augmented with photographs of the painting being created. How brilliant is this documentation? The photographs merge with the paint in a delightful array of process and energy. Now scroll on down beyond this rich magenta. The "landscape" process photo beyond, I took in Italy!!!!

In the Italian landscape (complete with curtains) below, you can see the very same 'concept' of merging photographs of process within the finished outcome. If you look VERY closely at the photos, you'll see that the artists in this instance are toddlers. They have done handprint paintings of blue paint on the white length of 'table paper.' On a separate piece of white paper they have engaged in paint-upon-feet!!! The adults in the equation have cut and merged the two fun pieces into the finished landscape.

I'm betting that my buddies will let me stop-in, guitar-in-hand, and take another slew of photos for your inspiration. LUV LUV LUV sharing with you such amazing, simple ideas!

Italy. Ohio. Toddlers. Preschoolers with special needs. See how we can learn from each other.
Reggio.

Documentation within an Open-Ended Mural by Italian Toddlers

Back over at my blog I have a TON more photos of my all too short Reggio tour. They are all chronicled in this link.

If you can only take the time to read one quick 'article' -- I'm confident you'd be interested in the photos that document the Italian "Laboratory of the Senses."

It's Never too Early to StART!

CREATIVITY

-- Debbie --

Debbie Clement is the polka-dotted music-lady, writing this morning from Nashville, TN. Momentarily making a school visit to inner-city children to spread the joy of music, singing and writing. She's written over 100 original songs for children. Slowly but surely she's turning them into Mp3's for instant download. Come visit our collaborative, super-cyber-store: the EARLY EDUCATION EMPORIUM -- where we all share our resources under one big umbrella. Yes. Debbie took that photo in ITALY, on the Mediterranean, the morning after she toured Reggio. Memories!

Valentine's Day in PreK + K

Anonymous — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 11:00:00 GMT

Welcome to February!

Welcome to a whole lot of celebrating!

For the shortest month in the year --

there's a lot of opportunity to turn this teeny month into an amazing party.

Before we 'look' at all things February,
let me just share an incredible milestone we've just reached together!!

Yes. Faithful readers and brand-new friends alike(!!) Together we have done an amazing thing here at this Sharing Collaborative. In under fifteen months, without a whole lot of gimmicks and hoopla, we have built a dynamic source of original content -- to benefit you and the children in your lives. We are gaining traction and readership with every passing month. Earlier this week we surpassed the incredible milestone of one million page views. OH HAPPY DAY!

You're finding us and you're coming back and spending time here combing through the previous articles. We've just installed some slick gizmo-html so that as you hover over any picture in the blog you will see the opportunity to 'pin' the image over to Pinterest. Think of every pin that you create as a good-will gesture to our Early Childhood community and building better bridges between PreK+K! as editor-in-chief, I know that every author here appreciates your pin, tweet, + and more! Thank you for your continued trust and support. Your comments are another helpful way of directing our authors to topics near and dear to your heart. THANK YOU!!!!

It has now been one month since we launched our collaborative 'cyber-mall' known as the

EARLY EDUCATION EMPORIUM

and its a thrill to tell you that we have our first happy shoppers! We've had authors shipping their traditional 'hard-goods' to eager recipients and we've had even more peers enabled to download materials instantaneously from the EEE 'cloud' of immediate gratification digital files! YEAH team. This time last month we had 4 individual EEEs ready for shopping, today I'm happy to report that we have 23 shops up and operational. Click right here to go shopping in your jammies. Will you be our 24th shop keeper? The more the merrier! We want to be the 'go-to' spot for resources for this significant stage of development. Come on over!

Now let's get the February Party(ies) started!!
Sweet, SWEET VALENTINE'S DAY

I know that bulletin board displays are the bane of some teacher's existence. I wanted to share this example of a "A School Filled with Love." There are all sorts of possibilities with that headline and creating fish with your peeps. This particular display is filled with glitter galore. Where do you fall on the glitter continuum?

Just last week I saw this bulletin board display-of-hearts in Ohio, that will continue to grow as the month unfolds. The teachers sent home the pre-cut construction paper hearts to the parents, with the instructions to write an 'act-of-kindness' on the heart that the parent observed at home and then send it back to school. What a great home to school project!

At my own blog, RainbowsWithinReach, I have an earlier RoundUP of all sorts of ideas to reinforce the skills of kindness -- in the classroom and at home. Click here to go see those earlier thoughts and some amazing visuals. Several ideas revolve around the idea of 'bucket filling.' Our world can always use some more kindness! There are some great bulletin boards and a decorate door worthy of your time.

Kindness, Bucket Filling, Emotional Intelligence

It amazes me that the #2 read article here of all time, is one I wrote on Process vs. Product in the art experience for children exactly a year ago. Several reader's comments applauded my taking on a controversial subject? [What's the controversy?]

That initial article then evolved into subsequent articles on the need for children to "do their own work" when it comes to art (and school and life.) There were folks blowing-the-whistle that they have seen teachers and coworkers 'fix' children's art. Here's an incredible project that combines the open-ended nature of marble-run painting, for the snowglobe back-drop, with the delightful snowmen 'product' outcome. KUDOS!

Note-to-self. Insert this collage of images into the original article.

These perky penguin products below were also created by children with special needs -- for whom gluing is a big time effort. I am just thrilled that the teachers have allowed each piece to be the actual work of the student. YEAH!!!! Unique and individual. That's the whole point, right? Both the snow-globes and these penguins are winter Florida projects. You can't even tell, can you?

Now, some very Valentiney work. Here's an awesome bulletin board idea that our own MaryJo Huff shared here last year. When you click back you will also be treated to a simple DIY puppet creation -- she is the puppet queen.

The old Art-teacher in me looks forward to the monthly insight of our Art teachers.

Follow this link to see the instructions for how our own Laura of 'Painted Paper' had her students create these ubber AMAZING Valentines captured below. She is very specific in how she directed these masterpieces. The finished collaboration is simply glorious.

Let's go now to the 'process' of weaving a heart and creating a dream catcher.

These sculptures below were created by kindergarten students in Florida and given to me as parting gifts at the conclusion of my day in their midst making one of my Author/Illustrator visits.

They are simply breath-taking.

Texture. Color. Effort. Fine motor.

To see the process involved and the fingers in action, click over to my blog here.

As you may have guessed:

Pipe cleaners + Yarn + Energy = PRICELESS!

While we're on 'hearts' here's a few more from my travels.

Symmetry!

Blotto. Folds.

Easy.

Math.

I know that we're theoretically on the 'early/young' chapter here,

but these next print-making beauties were just too lovely too leave on the cutting room floor.

Speaking of Feb. articles worthy of a second glance around here.....

I was JUST with Barbara of Character Counts, in Friendswood, Texas last week.

Our time together was the culmination of over a year of dreaming and scheming.

Not even a head-on collision by a drunk-driver could keep her away from our time together.

Go back here to read her 'kindness' article from last year.

The woman has a heart as big as her adopted Texas.

Our Carolyn of here and Wise Owl Factory created quite the happy FREEBIE for Valentines that combined Penguins and oh-so-cute hearts. Did you get it last year?

It's not too late to click back and download.

With schools starting at every possible point on the calendar, I'm sure some of you have already had your big festivities for your 100 Day Party. Others are no doubt just around the corner. Take a look at this 100th Day Party Drum! This would be an awesome addition to the big day and an incredible tool to lead the parade!

Here's the link over to my recent RoundUP of all things 100 Day!

So what do you know about the "Project Based Learning" Approach?

Is it the way that your program unfolds?

I am always tickled to learn the latest acronyms and see how I 'fit-in' to the soup.

[Click here for the origination of PBL at Buck Institute, or an overview by Edutopia on PBL or Wikipedia here for the gathering thoughts there.]

Since the inception of our collaborative blog the word I've heard over + over is:

RIGOR!

The question in my mind, is how to you aspire to rigor --

in a developmentally appropriate manner?

Also making an appearance in February is President's Day.

I present you with this AMaZInG Kinder PBL project that was spear-headed by my picture book, "Red, White and Blue."

You seriously want to click back to my blog to see all that they did to connect their project to the 'real world' for their kinders and their community. Their model could easily be fine-tuned for an older or younger audience.

I continue at my blog, marching along on my on-going series of Fine Motor Friday.

Recent RoundUPS have been Installment #42 on all things "Snowflake."

And a week earlier Installment #41 focused on all things "Penguin"

(including some clever penguin piggy-back rhyme-songs.)

As I sit here typing on February-eve, in Ohio, the snow is mounting up outside.

These ought to come in handy.

It's time to sign off until next month!

Have fun with all of your celebrating.

-- Debbie --

Painting with snow ... and other snowy fun!

Anonymous — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 12:00:00 GMT

By Laura Eldredge

If you are lucky enough to live somewhere with winter weather – you can bring the outdoor in for a little snow day fun! Painting with (and ON) snow is a fun way to let children explore concepts of color mixing and the scientific properties of snow.

First, we scooped up a small bucket of clean snow and brought it inside (if you scoop your snow before you are ready to use it, then you'll need to keep it in the freezer until you are ready). We put snow into small bowls for children to use while watercolor painting.

Instead of using cups of water -- children wet their paint brushes with the snow. We discussed what snow is made from (water) - and how as the snow gets warmer inside it will start to melt (properties of matter). Using the snow instead of water keeps the brushes from getting TOO wet, and makes the watercolor pictures more vibrant, as well.

Inevitably, as the children cleaned and wet their brushes on the snow, the snow started to turn colorful. So we explored some color mixing in the process. In the end, many children enjoyed painting the snow more than their pictures! So we brought out some bowls and scooped some snow for children to paint on individually.

Other SNOWY activities and art projects

If you search on “snow” in our website (using our Idea Search Tool) … you’ll find a lot of additional fun snowy activities (many requiring materials OTHER THAN snow!).

Such as "Tactile table pretend snow" -- using salt, sugar and glitter!

Or "Snow Paint" -- using water, salt, flour, paintbrush and imagination!

And "Snow Dough" -- salt, flour, vegetable oil, water and clear glitter!

PreK + K sharing SNOWY DAY roundup!

Want more snow-filled, fun and educational ideas? Here are a couple of other wintery posts from our preK + K sharing blog:

More snowy activities in preschool

Montessori-Inspired Winter Math Activities

Winter Activities

Wintertime Fun!

And more ideas can be found on PINTEREST!

Laura Eldredge is a teacher and curriculum coordinator at a NAEYC accredited early childhood program in Connecticut. She also co-founded the website The SEEDS Network, as a way to provide early childhood professionals with ideas and resources that support them in their quest to provide quality care and education to our youngest learners. She blogs at www.theseedsblog.com.

Being Thankful + First Anniversary of our Collaboration

Anonymous — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 09:00:00 GMT

TURKEY TIME!!!

NOVEMBER!?! How is that possible?

You haven't even packed away the pumpkins and I'm ready to herald in the turkeys!

In addition to this being the first of the month......

today is the first anniversary of our collaborative blog!

So much to celebrate. So much to be thankful for.....

I thought in honor of our first trip around the sun together, I'd gather up a gaggle of turkeys to help inspire some creative energy on your part.

Take a look at this WONDERFUL example of some open-ended 'process' type art gathered into a clever Thanksgiving bulletin board in preschool.

Preschool Thanksgiving Turkey Feather Art on the Bulletin Board

Many thanks to our 'regular' contributors who are writing an article for your benefit here every month. Without their hard work and dedication there would be no collaboration. Cyber hugs all around. I'm so grateful for your extending your busy lives to include your sharing with us every month!

Many thanks to our on-going 'guest' authors who have added to the width and breadth of our gathering by contributing once or some others who write every now and again -- or a few who write even more frequently.

You know who you are! We're so happy to have you aboard.

Paper Plate Turkeys in Preschool

We have our "TOP TEN" articles as calculated by Google over there in our left sidebar for your easy reference, but that is just a minimal sprinkling of all that has been offered here over the past 12 months.

I invite you to dig around here at your leisure.

There are so many brilliant offerings tucked into every month!

Open-Ended Art Work on Turkey Feathers for the Thanksgiving Bulletin Board in Preschool

We've really grown in our first year and we have exciting plans on the launching pad for our continued expansion in the year ahead.

If its November, that means that NAEYC can't be too far away.

Are you planning on being in Atlanta?

Any number of our contributors have workshops and presentations for your support..... and we are so eager to meet you!

Connie Dow and I will be presenting on Friday afternoon at 3:00:

on "Moving is Learning."

Our Mimi will have her annual Friday evening presentation at 6:30 -- always a crowd pleaser! I will join her on stage for a presentation of my classic song in sign language, "You're Wonderful."

Kindergarten Turkey Art Project for Thanksgiving

The big news on the horizon is the launch of our very own EEE!!!!

I'm not at liberty to tell you what that stands for just yet, but I promise that it's exciting and just around the corner!

Stay tuned and come get the details at my NAEYC booth #1910.

We hope to have it all polished and ready to share this month.

I hope that you have time this month to take a deep breath and count your blessings.

Each and every follower, regular reader and comment writer brightens this place, building an ever stronger collaboration in the process.

Kindergarten Turkey MATH Project for Thanksgiving

Find a quiet moment this month and make a list of all that you have to be grateful for and spell it out for the world to see.

Count your blessings. Number them.

Appreciate and be filled with gratitude.

Preschool Thanksgiving Bulletin Board of Blessings and Gratitude

I just had a whole RoundUP of Gratitude, Kindness and Emotional Intelligence ideas over at my blog. Many of the ideas I've gathered would lend themselves to a thanksgiving exploration. Click over to my blog to see those images.

Kindness in the Classroom: Gratitude and Emotional Intelligence at RainbowsWithinReach

OK. I just had to put those two of my favorite open-ended projects together for you to compare and contrast. So here comes that reminder for your viewing and pinning pleasure!

BTW: ALL of these photos are from my various Author/Illustrator, Music-Lady school visits. I work extra hard these days to capture as many 'sights' from my own observations as I can to share with you -- the wider world.

Now that it's officially November, I want to make you aware that my nationally award winning picture book "Red, White and Blue" would be the perfect addition to your observance of Veteran's Day.

I have just put the traditional hardback children's picture book with CD insert on sale over at Teachers pay Teachers thru the coming weekend. If you hurry it could still be delivered in time for your use in the classroom.

Illustrations from "Red, White and Blue" by Debbie Clement: made from fabric as small quilts

I have also put the digital zipped file version on sale -- which includes two Mp3 versions of the song: one a sung version and the second is an instrumental for your karaoke Kindergarten performances. You have more time at your disposal for that instant-download.

-- Debbie --

I would be so excited to meet you in person next week in Atlanta. Come introduce yourself and give me a hug!

Come find us at NAEYC: I'll be in booth #1910 in the Exhibit Hall

Debbie Clement, Editor-in-Residence here is usually blogging over at RainbowsWithinReach sharing of her various travels and projects. She's the composer of over 100 original songs for children housed on nine albums. She also is the nationally award winning author/illustrator of three picture books based on her songs which are included in the back of each book as a CD inset.

Her newest effort is the launching of a little cyber-shop over at Teachers pay Teachers where her songs are becoming available in digital download Mp3 zip files.

Her favorite social network is Pinterest. Where she has catalogued nearly 20,000 pins in categories for the PreK+K Crowd. Come join her over 77,000 followers to keep up to date on all things visual!

Fears, Anxiety + Monsters in Childhood

Anonymous — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 09:00:00 GMT

Welcome to October! Welcome to Fall!!
Beware: Creepy, Crawlie, Spooky Times Ahead!
The month of costumes, pretend, make believe and dress up has arrived.

Debbie Clement Meets her Fanclub in Costume

For many children the idea of dressing in costume and becoming a princess or ninja for a day [or even a ninja-princess, as the case may be] is the highlight of childhood. Becoming the alter-ego, of pirate or witch in-full-regalia, is the all consuming focus for the entire month of October in the lives of some children. Oh happy day. Delight and joy. October is here! Let the parade of festivities begin.

For others the month of October spotlights a little life of oh-so-big angst, anxiety and fear. Children are wired differently. Some children have very little tolerance for the unpredictable, for changes in schedule, for seperation from parents, for putting their hands in the goo and grit that others adore. Some children come unglued during fire drills as soon as the alarm sounds, while a same aged peer seems to absolutely adore all of the commotion and activity. For some the whole notion of costumed characters is the very basis for tears and meltdowns.

I have witnessed first hand more than a few encounters where a professional clown leaves one preschooler cowering behind their teacher, skrieking as the clown gives even a gentle peek in their general direction. At the same moment another child leaps into that clown's arms, knocking this character over with their unbrideled excitement and delight.

We as professionals have the responsibility of working with that entire range of children's personalities and tolerance from day one. How do we shore up the child expressing great anxiety? How do we encourage the baby steps necessary to move everyone toward growth, self-reliance and independence?

Eons ago, I had a wee daughter who suddenly began waking numerous times in the middle of the night horribly afraid of monsters. Night after night I offered assurance. Night after night I was without sleep. Until one night in my restless sleeplessness, I asked her where these monsters were. She was very specific. Up on the shelf between the teddy bears. In the closet between the shoes. Suddenly I had the idea to offer her 'monster spray' to act as the bug spray had worked that afternoon -- to repel the monsters away. IT WORKED! She slept through the night.

I had stumbled upon a tool that somehow 'worked' in her mind. So the next night we sprayed imaginary spray BEFORE bedtime. You can bet that the spraying away of all monsters became a dependable part of our bedtime routine for quite some time to come. Sleep is good.

Years later, upon seeing some happy monsters at a teacher supply store, while in Bryan OH giving a library sing-a-long, I was reminded of our family monster spray era. While driving home I wrote the little dittie that would go on to become my song "Monster Spray." I wanted it to walk that fine line of exciting and upbeat, but not frightening. I even chose to inclue the phrase 'irrational airy ones' in describing monsters. I wanted to offer another tool to teachers, librarians and parents in the arsenal of shoring up the little ones with fears and anxieties.

The bottle pictured above was a gift to me by a kindergarten girl in Upper Arlington. Her own parents had lovingly crafted this bottle of spray (label-on- water) for her to take to kindergarten -- presumably to slay those k-monsters that lurk in the long hallways. When I began my song, her teacher went running with glee to their room to retrieve the spray bottle. Little K-girl agreed that she no longer needed such a silly prop. She knew without a doubt that there were no monsters in kindergarten. The music lady could now use that silliness in her travels to the little kids. Honest-to-goodness! True story.

Of course there are some children who have very REAL and gen-u-ine reason for fear. We have young children who have suffered very real trauma in their early years. In the best of redeeming circumstances there will be a trained counselor with brilliant insight that can help address those tough issues and support that child in their expression and articulation of fear and ultimately healing, to over come them.

I concluded last week on my own blog with a mega-monster RoundUP of ideas from bloggers around the world. There are two dozen ideas to inspire your exploration of the "MONSTER theme" through art projects, construction-sculpture projects, play-doh creations, science experiments, UPcycling, math work, picture books, puppets -- everything, including the kitchen sink. The entire ten yards. You can click here to get to my article which will then direct you on to all of the other sites for the directions, recipes, tools and specific books used for inspiration. Whew. It was fun to put that together. It will be my pleasure to introduce you to other children bloggers.

In my efforts to grow with the times, I am now translating some of my favorite songs into the digital download format. I have just uploaded the Mp3 files for "Monster Spray" to Teachers Pay Teachers where it is available for your immediate purchase in digital download format. I have created several pdfs to further support the use of my song with young readers. The chorus lyrics are ready to print out for your pocket chart. I've also created a simple template for writing and drawing about those fears experienced, "once upon a time."

A week ago I had a roundUP of oodles of Fall Fun Projects for Little Hands. The article starts with all sorts of ideas for fall leaves and scarecrows and ends upwith Jack-o-Lanters and Black Bats.

Here's the link to my RoundUP of Behavior charts. Several from Kindergarten and a couple from Preschool.

-- Debbie --

SUNSHINE ART!

Anonymous — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 08:00:00 GMT

It's Enrique here and thanks for stopping by to check out my blog. I have the most wonderful relationships with so many great preschool and kinder classrooms. I'm so fortunate to have the opportunity to work with so many lovely teachers, children and parents and the thanks they show fuels in such an authentic way!

If you're been reading my blogs, you'll notice that I have been spending a lot of time with the Sunnyside Head Start preschool classrooms. It's a truly magical place, as are many of the centers in Tucson, Arizona.

Welcome to one of those classrooms...

THE SUNSHINE CLASSROOM!

As you can read below, back during the 2005 - 2006 school year, the children of this room chose their inspiration, their interest, there POV, if you will. Their perspective and how they saw things is what the teachers so cleverly allowed to be the motivational aspect for the entire year. The children chose...

THE SUN!

One of the really exciting things about this approach is that the:

TEACHERS ENGAGED THE CHILDREN using QUESTIONS.
TEACHERS VALIDATED ALL THE CHILD RESPONSES.
TEACHERS POSTED THE CHILD RESPONSES.

This approach says to the child, "your ideas matter." When we feel we matter, we all bring such wonderful energy to whatever situation we are involved with. Below you can read some of those responses. Enjoy!!!

Additionally, teachers engaged the children with the opportunity to

"represent what they knew about the sun" in artistic ways.

The children's knowledge of the sun grew over time from their prior knowledge and then building on that through discovery and dialogue. Below is one example of a child's perspective on:

WHAT THE SUN LOOKS LIKE
WHAT THE SUN FEELS LIKE
WHAT THE SUN DOES
HOW THE SUN MAKES THEM FEEL

Enjoy this lovely piece of process-based Art!

What could YOU do with YOUR CHILDREN? Perhaps you could try some of the following ideas which all build on critical thinking skills in loving ways by engaging the interest of the children.

TAKE THE CHILDREN OUTSIDE AND ASK THEM WHAT THEY SEE?
ASK THE CHILDREN WHY CERTAIN THINGS GROW?
ASK WHAT DO PLANTS NEED TO GROW?

Once you discover the interest of a group of children or an individual child, expand on that interest by:

ASKING THE CHILD WHAT THEY KNOW ABOUT THEIR INTEREST
ASK CHILDREN AND PARENTS TO SHARE WHAT THEY KNOW WITH EACH OTHER
AFTER CHILDREN HAVE SHARED WITH PARENTS, REVISIT WHAT THEY KNOW
FIND WAYS FOR CHILDREN TO REPRESENT WHAT THEY KNOW WITH ART

If you wanted to, you would carry a like this on over a period of time, which can lead to very meaningful learning. This also builds community by creating a sense of "who the class is." Here is a photo of the garden at Sunnyside Head Start. What a fantastic place for discovery to begin and continue!

I hope you've enjoyed this quick blog and that it's inspired you to look around at all you see and look for opportunities to connect your young ones to learning in ways which interest them deeply. When you see a young child entranced with something, remember that you have found their "magnet!" Once you've found this connection, it's up to all of us to find ways to use that in numerous ways to make learning a joyful experience! TEACH and GUIDE ON!!!

Many of these concepts and techniques can be found in my book "Living Like a Child."

Enrique