(G2,G3) The beauty of roots (The Tree Project)

For this part of the Tree Project we looked at photos of roots and discussed how some roots can

 grow as deep as the tree is high. We took photos of roots in our nature trail and observed how the majority of the roots were relatively closer to the surface.

Student photo

Based on our photos of roots we created our own colorful root composition.

Student photo

We use both pastels and water colors to completer our artwork.

Cross section of a trees' roots.

Roots of a rain forest tree.

Student photo

Student photo

Student photo

Student photo

(Pr-K) Creating art with Paper Mache Pulp

My Pre-Kindergarten students kept asking me to do a Paper Mache project for a while.

I decided it was their turn to experience the magic of Paper Mache. 

The inspiration for this project came from the book "The Sun is My Favorite Star" by Frank Asch.

The students decided to create rainbows and trees based on the story.

We tore the copy paper into tiny pieces and put them in a large bowl.

We covered the paper with warm water and let it soak for half an hour.

We squeezed the excess water and separated the paper pulp into several bowls. 

We added two tablespoons of glue in each bowl.

Our paper pulp was done when we could no longer see lumps. 

Our favorite part was adding the water colors to the mixture.

Student comment: "My hands feel sticky". 

Student comment: "I made a fat rainbow".

We learned how to create a variety of greens for our trees. 

Student comment: "I like my darkest green". 

Student comment: "The sun makes my tree green".

In the middle of our lesson, we spied a little squirrel demonstrating his acrobatic abilities.

We stopped what we were doing and took a picture of our little acrobat. 

Student comment: "I do not think I can do this". 

Student comment: "Pink is my favorite color".

Student comment: "My sun looks like the sunflowers in our garden".

(KG) Learning how to make Paper Pulp

For these projects we decided to make paper pulp using newspaper, water and glue.

We soaked the scraps of paper for two hours. This made the paper very soggy, which helped it to blend well.

We knew our paper pulp was ready to use, when we could not see individual pieces of paper.

We drained the remaining water and added the glue. 

 

Making a flower using our paper pulp.

Learning how to make paper pulp.

We had fun watching the paper dissolving in our hands.

Adding colorful clay pieces to our paper pulp flower.

The younger students used paper pulp to outline the shape of the fish.

We used colorful paper to complete our project.

Wrestling to get the paper in our hands.

Making a sunflower with our pulp paper.

Student comment: : " The paper pulp feels hard today".

Student comment: " The googly eye is not paper".

Student comment: "I don't think I want to color the paper pulp".

Someone was thinking of food.

Beautiful paper pulp flower.

(Pr-K) The art of collage. A project based on the book: "The Tiny Seed" by Eric Carle)

One of our favorite authors is Eric Carle.

In the story the seeds are getting in trouble, while our little friend manages to escape.

It is a wonderful book about the cycle of all plants as our tiny friend becomes a giant sunflower,

which then produces more seeds in its turn.

We read the story and examined the illustrations.
We discussed Eric Carle's method of collage.

Eric Carle.
The author and illustrator.

This seed gets too close to the sun.
Using a variety of paper to create our sun.

Student comment: "My giant seed was not smart and died".

The dessert prevents the seed from growing.

Creating a collage by using a variety of textures. 

Looking at Eric Carle's illustrations and creating our own.

The ocean is not a place for a seed to grow.
We used fabric flowers for the lighter blue.

This bird is not hungry anymore.

Student comment: "The bird can not see our little seed, because

it is behind him".

This seed becomes the meal of the mouse.

Student comment: "Our little seed is very smart".

Working on foot painting.

The things we do for art!

The little seedling did not make it.

This student enjoyed having his foot painted.

He forgot to complain about the color pink.

Adding the details to complete our illustrations.

This hand is about to cut the flower.

Our friends working on the petals of our surveying flower.

The little seed is now a magnificent giant flower.

Our flower is five feet tall.