On my second last day of prac I had planned a large art experience for the children, this time with eight children at a time. This experience was inspired by a book I read to them called 'Call Me Gorgeous', this book had very detailed illustrations of different animal parts that made up a funny looking creature at the end. Inspired by this I brought in a number of materials that the children could use to make a collage made up of many different elements. I brought in feathers, bubble wrap, foam, cardboard, match sticks and different kinds of cut up paper. I used lots of different coloured paint some in cups and some in trays, I provided sponges and rollers aswell for the paint.
Majority of the children in the class had a turn at this experience and were all very eager to while waiting their turn. The children didnt exactly make creatures like the ones seen within the book but they all used the many different materials provided and experimented with a number of different techniques. Beau really enjoyed using the sponges and rollers on his page he spent a long time at the art table. Archie also really enjoyed this experience like he does with all creative arts experiences! When I asked Archie what his artwork was of he responded by saying; "Well... It's a forest with lots of animals and things in it". Archie loves animals and magical things, he always uses his imagination when engaging in art as I have observed over the time I have spent with him. Archie's artworks are always very abstract and you wouldnt always be able to tell what it is of when you look at it, however what's important is that Archie knows what is artwork is off and thats all that matters to him.
Alessandro and Caileb spent the most time at the art table and even created another artwork when they had finished. Alessandro's artwork was very interesting and transformative, his work is very layered which shows he really took onboard the idea of collage. Alessandro kept adding materials to his artwork then painting over them. This made a very interested affect and he was very proud of this as he kept showing Monique (teacher) what he had done. The bubble wrap was a very effective material, some of the children used it as a print while others stuck in on their page and painted over it, both looked very good.
Overall I can say that this art experience engaged the most children. My supervisor Monique was very happy with the children's works and let me stick them up on the wall.
Reggio Emilia
Taking on a Reggio Emilia approach I decided to stick the artworks up on a white wall as I beleive colour takes the viewers eye away from the colours and detail in the art. I made sure the children's names were written at the top corner of the page so the audience can see clearly which child made each artwork. I also attempted to take on the Reggio Emilia approach when teaching the children by asking them open ended questions while doing their artworks and encouraging them to investigate their ideas and express themselves through their artworks. This experience also encouraged the children's hundred languages through painting and collage, as they were given an opportunity to express themselves and make meaning through the language of the arts.
A very successful large group activity. Good idea to display such vibrant colours on a white/cream wall - it really makes the artworks stand out. I like how you carefully consider each element of the art experience from set up to materials to space to display. Instead of asking 'what is it?' you can ask 'can you tell me about your artwork?" this is a more open-ended question which usually elicits more dialogue around the artwork. Sometimes the artworks transform as the children make them so there is no one definitive answer as to what it is (as with much Abstract art by professional artists). I know this was the end of prac but if you had stayed you could have analysed the artworks and the children's talk by asking yourself "What does this tell me?" In this way you could have extended their learning with new activities based on their current knowledge. For instance if Alessandro understood the concept of layering his artwork you could have shown him works by professional artists who use this technique and encouraged him to explore it further and with other materials/media. For instance look at how Brazilian artist Azevedos uses the concept of layering with sculpture http://www.jazjaz.net/2011/04/brazilian-artist-andr-azevedos-latest-artworks.html Congratulations Emmaly on creating some excellent arts experiences for and WITH your children.
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