I have mentioned previously that I volunteer at my grandson’s school. He is in Kindergarten. Usually, I do one of two things. I either help with kids’ printing practice, one on one, or I take a couple out in the group work center (in the hallway) to work on an art project. I think it’s sad that there is no time for the kids to have an art project as a whole group but there is so much to be covered that there just is no time. I enjoy doing the art projects, though so it’s a good fit for me.
Before Christmas, I was asked to do an art project where the kids would be working on making a Christmas tree picture using their shapes. We were using a large triangle, a small rectangle, and circles. The instructions were for them to (1) draw a large triangle then a (2) small rectangle touching the bottom of the triangle. They had a sample to look at and I explained it slowly and carefully to each of the two (at a time) students. There was more to it but I only gave those instructions until they had completed those steps. The first three kids really had a problem drawing the triangle and we had to erase a lot. So I thought to lightly draw three dots and have them connect them with their pencil to form the triangle. It worked like a charm but I only did it for those that were having trouble with the triangle. So when it was Anderson’s turn (that’s my grandson), I drew the dots for the other child and then turned to help Anderson. When I turned, he had seen me draw the dots and had drawn his own three dots, and was connecting them! No help needed. I was very pleased but the triangle wasn’t quite like the others. It was narrower and not quite as large as the others. However, I did not have the heart to tell him to erase it. He had done such a good job with no help! So what if his was a little different?! I think he made a perfect little Christmas tree!
The last steps were to use a large marshmallow in paint to fill in the triangle and the rectangle; then a small marshmallow to paint ornaments on the tree. Kind of a clever way to incorporate triangles, rectangles, and circles (which they were studying that week) into a seasonal project!
He did a fantastic job! High fives, or is is knuckle bumps now? ☺️
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Something I love about unschooling is getting to see what my kids (14 and 11.5, now), create, and how they approach challenges. They’ve lived school-free lives, and I’m amazed daily at how they fill their time, how they acquire knowledge, and how they use what they’ve learned in a way that fits their personalities and passions.
I agree with you – it’s sad that there’s not much time or focus given to art. I’d love to see all kindergartens have a good-sized space filled with art supplies, and no adult directives on what and how they create (because there’s a point when, if you have to erase what they’ve created so that it’s ‘right’ by classroom standards, and they have to follow directions, it’s not so much art as doing what they’re told).
Kindergarten should be about play, in my opinion. People of all ages learn best when their minds are engaged, and they’re playing with ideas.
Your grandson’s little tree is delightful – and I hope at least a few marshmallows were allowed to go into happy little mouths (because, if not, that seems like a form of torture!).
So glad to “meet” you this way, Corina! =)
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What a lucky grandma you are. Mine live too far out for me to be involved in that way. Enjoy yourself.
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Yes, very lucky to be so close to them (we are in the same mobile home park). Of course, today I’m sick with the same symptoms the boys had last weekend so there’s that, too. But definitely lucky!
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