Spring is in the air! Upon returning from spring break, The Purple Unicorns revisited many fun activities and embarked on new and exciting explorations, which included still-life drawing and painting, creating insects, and observing snails.
Still Life – Drawing and Painting
A table was set up with a brown vase filled with pink tulips, white construction paper, pencils, and watercolors. Inviting the children to draw.
During a class discussion, a vase with tulips was introduced to our Purple Unicorns. We talked about the colors of the tulips as well the shape of the vase and tulips. Our Unicorns were excited to share what they noticed. (pink, green, and brown were among the colors they noticed) Following our discussion on the rug, our Unicorns were invited to draw and paint a representation of the tulips in the vase.
In these moments of painting, we noticed the children’s observation, processing, and expression skills. They showcase these skills while creating a still-life representation of the tulips in a vase. Observing the colors and shapes of the tulips, thinking of how they are going to represent what they have observed, and finally creating a representation using lines and circles to represent the tulips in a vase. Both with a pencil and watercolors.
To encourage creativity, we allow The Unicorns to investigate and try their own ideas. We offer many open-ended and processed art activities. Activities that do not have a certain end result in mind. The materials can be used in a variety of ways. When we offer an activity like a still-life exploration, we keep creativity in mind and allow our Unicorns to explore as they choose. Many chose to represent the still-life while some decided to draw something else.
Snail Observation
Our Purple Unicorns have been showing a lot of interest in plants and insects. This led to our study of plants, and garden creatures. A table was set up with magnifying glasses, paper, small pencils, and a terrarium with snails inviting the children to focus, look closely at the snails, and then record their observations. However, some friends wanted a closer look at the snails.
Our Unicorns have been showing a lot of interest in plants and insects. This led to our study of plants, and garden creatures. A table was set up with magnifying glasses, paper, small pencils, and a terrarium with snails inviting the children to focus, look closely at the snails, and then record their observations
It’s a Bug
As we continued our study of insects, the children were inspired to create their own bugs. A table was set-up with pieces of wire, pipe cleaners, dot stickers, wiggle eyes, and hollow half-balls. These items were presented in an open-ended manner offering the children an invitation to engage, experiment, and create garden bugs. The following are representations of ladybugs.
Garden Sensory Bin
With the weather warming up, some of the Purple unicorns have gotten interested in the flowers growing outdoors. Inspired by their interest in playing with the soil in the plants on the roof. We created a Garden Sensory Bin with many garden creatures for the children to explore.
Some of the children were excited to get their hands dirty digging for garden creatures.
