“Science is our attempt to understand the things we see – to make sense of the world around us.”
Spring is in the air! After returning from spring break, the One Trains revisited many fun activities and embarked on new and exciting explorations. These activities included still-life drawing and painting, creating menus for our restaurant -The Roast, and making paper.
Children have a natural curiosity about the world around them. When the One Trains became interested in one of the plants in our classroom, we began a still-life study of the Cherry Blossom branches.
A table was set up with a white vase with Cherry Blossom branches, white construction paper, and paint, inviting the children to create their own Still Life Paintings.
During a class discussion, we introduced a vase with Cherry Blossom branches to the One Trains. We talked about the colors and shapes of the branches, as well as the buds, and flowers. The One Trains were eager to share their observations, noting colors such as green buds, white flowers, and brown and gray branches.
Following our discussion, the One Trains were invited to paint their interpretations of the Cherry Blossom branches in the vase. During these painting sessions, we observed the children’s skills in observation, processing, and expression. They showcased these abilities by creating still-life representations of the Cherry Blossom branches. They attentively noted the colors and shapes of the branches, considered how to depict what they had observed, and then expressed their interpretations using lines and circles to paint the branches in the vase.
It is important to note that we encourage creativity by allowing our One Trains the freedom to explore and experiment with their ideas. We offer a variety of open-ended art activities that do not have a specific outcome in mind, allowing the materials to be used in diverse ways. When engaged in still-life exploration, we focus on fostering creativity, enabling our One Trains to choose how they want to express themselves. While many opted to depict the still life itself, others chose to paint entirely different subjects.
Green Paint– buds
Blue Paint – Water in the Vase
Grey Paint – branches and steams
White Paint – Vase and flowers
Yellow Paint – flowers
