(Pr-K) The Ink Monsters

For this projects our young students created ink monsters.
We read the book: "Where the Wild Things Are" by Maurice Sendak who wrote and illustrated the book.
The students loved the story and could not wait to create their own unique ink monsters. The students were free to add lines after their ink design was set to make their monster even scarier.
The students had the option to use straws to spread the ink, fold the paper in hald, or shake the paper in different directions making sure the ink would not escape from the paper.

This student took care to spread the ink by shaking the paper.

The Ooos and Ahhs as he watched his scary monster appearing on the paper.

He decided to outline the ink lines, and also added a horn and sharp teeth.

Student comment: "My dinosaur is a fast runner."

Student comment: "My girl monster is wearing pink lipstick." 

This is an example of folding the paper in half.

Student comment: "I made a scary bat, but she is nice because she has beautiful clothes." 

Student comment: "I made an alien monster with many legs and scary teeth."

Student comment: "My monster is sad because it is raining and he is lost."

Student comment: "My monster was not nice to his mother and he went to bed without eating his dinner."

Student comment: "My monster is dancing in the wild forest."

Student comment: "My monster is the king of the forest."

Student comment: "Everyone is afraid of my scary lizard."

Student comment: "Max ( the little boy in the book) is scared of my monster. He can fly on his head."  

Student comment: "My monster wants to go back home, because she missed her bedroom."

Student comment: " I am calling Max to come back to the wild forest."

Spreading the ink by using a straw.

I had a few students that attempted this technique.

Student comment: "Max turned into a monster and he stayed in the wild forest for ever."

Student comment: "I will ride on the back of my monster to go back home."

Student comment: "I am looking for Max; where are you Max? you have to go back home."

(Pr-K) Creating Mosaic Letters

What a better project for out first week back to school than to decorate the first letter of our names?

The students used letter stencils for this mosaic project.

We used pencil to trace our letter and later we used black sharpie.

We discussed how to  create a mosaic composition by overlapping small pieces of paper.

We used tempera paint and water colors for the background.

We discussed how brushstrokes are created from the movement of our brushes. 

We began to understand how to create two shades of the same color.

We have no fear of paint in our art room.

This student created a textured background by using a cotton ball dipped in paint.

We observed the difference in creating a textured background using cotton balls versus 

a background where we only used brushes.

Making an effort to glue our paper inside the lines. 

  

(Pr-K) Learning how to create a mono-print composition

Students learned how to create a mono-print composition.

We voted on the designs we wanted to use for our mono-print blocks.

The winner designs were: The big fish, the little fish, the wheel, the leaf and the apple.  

I drew the designs on Styrofoam sheets. 

The students used  the end of a small paint brush to "cut" into the design.

I showed them how to create deep grooves so that the paint would not sink in.

Preparing the background for the mono-print composition.

We applied acrylic paint to the foam. 

The students were instructed to avoid the grooving areas of the mono-print.  

Observing what happens to the images when more paint is required.  

Controlling the paint results in a successful mono-print.

Pressing hard with both our hands.

Voila! a successful  composition.