When you set up an open art center in your classroom children will have the opportunity to plan and create their own unique ways. They’ll also be using engineering skills as they design what they want to create and technology skills as they use the tools (scissors, brushes, glue, etc.) They’ll be able to make choices, experiment, solve problems and be truly creative. It’s important to provide a wide variety of materials that they can get out and clean up independently
Materials:
Shelves
Easel
Tables and chair
Drying rack
Smocks
Brushes
Paints, water colors, finger paint
Hole punch
Paper (scrap, construction, cardboard, newspaper, tissue paper)
Scissors
Crayons, colored pencils, markers
Lunch sacks, paper plates
Paper cups
Glue, glue sticks
Material scraps, buttons, yarn
Stapler
Tape
Junk scraps (paper towel rolls, egg cartons)
Magazines, catalogs
Chalk
Paper clips, brads
Clay, play dough
Craft sticks
Pipe cleaners
Natural objects (flowers, leaves, rocks, shells)
Hint! Store materials in clear containers and label with words and pictures of the objects.
JUST FOR FUN!
Here are some simple art projects with crayons that can be adapted to any age or teaching situation. Sometimes adults think that kids should only do an art project one time. The interesting thing is that children will enjoy doing these activities several times.
Dancing Crayons
Materials: crayons, paper, music
Directions: Hold a crayon in each hand. Put on some music, and let the crayons “dance” on the paper.
Bundles
Materials: crayons, rubber bands, paper
Directions: Wrap a rubber band around 3 or 4 crayons. Children can hold the “bundle” and draw a design or picture on their paper.
Wiggles and Squiggles
Materials: crayons, paper
Directions: Have the children close their eyes and make a design on their paper with a black crayon. When they open their eyes, ask them to create something out of their design.
Adaptations: Have children exchange papers with wiggles and squiggles with a friend.
