I’m guessing that as an art teacher I’m not the first to overestimate the abilities of my students. I’m never more aware of this than when new kinders come to my room at the beginning of a school year. Some are semi-prepared from preschool, but some are not. So as much as I want to dig in at first with some beautiful new project, I’ve learned that the first class just needs to be super, super simple. 1. Kinders in CA spend much of the year studying patterns, so this blends well with their curriculum. I spend a few minutes talking about all the ways that lines can make patterns (round, square, zigzag, etc.) and then draw some examples on the board. The students are all given a thick black marker and five strips of construction paper about 2" x 8" wide. They are asked to draw a different line pattern on each. No coloring in is allowed, only lines.
2. When the patterns are done, they get a sheet of black construction paper, about 9" x 15" or so. After instructions on how to use a glue stick, they glue the strips to the black paper. It helps to start at the top and work down, leaving some space in between. As more than one kinder teacher has taught me, it’s important that these new students have a successful experience their first time around in the art room. It’s worth it at this point to focus on the process and not so much on the product. The masterpieces can all come later.
2. When the patterns are done, they get a sheet of black construction paper, about 9" x 15" or so. After instructions on how to use a glue stick, they glue the strips to the black paper. It helps to start at the top and work down, leaving some space in between. As more than one kinder teacher has taught me, it’s important that these new students have a successful experience their first time around in the art room. It’s worth it at this point to focus on the process and not so much on the product. The masterpieces can all come later.
13 comments:
Awesome.
I completely agree. I feel bad, for the first 2 months of art they don't really get to do anything but color this picture with me...we tried glue sticks last week....that wasn't so good..lol You forget some can't write their name or anything while some can....sigh....
Thank you so much for your wonderful ideas, I am going to do this with my grade ones with primary colors.
LOVE this idea! You are right about trying to get a feel for the new kindergarteners' abilities. There is nothing worse than getting elbow deep in a project and realizing that it is WAY over their capabilities. I love your site and have been using your lessons with my students. I can't wait to see more.
Kathy S.
My classes are very large this year. We have 31 kinders per class for 45 minutes. Many have never been to preschool and are very young. There no teacher aides in the afternoon and kinder goes to specials right after lunch. Any ideas?
Hello Anonymous... You must work in my district. AZ? Same problems here. Seems more like crowd control or herding cats as I like to say. Repeat.. repeat ... repeat. I always pretend whatever we are doing is amazing and exciting. You need to overact for the little ones. I have a bell that I ring to get their attention and this seems to work really well. Have fun!
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Hi Anonymous,
One other idea is to start your kinder classes by reading a short story that relates somehow to your project. I know it's extra work to line one up, but it does quiet the room and make you the center of attention. Once the story is done (5 or so minutes) you can start right in with the instructions. I've found this very helpful.
Kathy, you are correct... a story is very helpful. That is how I begin all my kinder classes.
Huzzah! Thank you very much for this awesome idea/example! I'm wanting to teach a gang of little 4-6 year olds the "basics of drawing" (and I can't draw at all! I'm learning as I go with them). I wanted to do a FUN and PLEASING project related to "OiLs"... and LOOK AT THIS! It is perfect! Thank you!
Thanks for this idea! I am a newbie at teaching art and this was a easy lesson to do. It gave students a fun way to review and practice making patterns with different kinds of lines. Thanks!
http://blogs.southfieldchristian.org/pixelsandpaintbrushes/2010/10/03/kfirst-lines-and-patterns/
How wonderful!!! I love this idea, and pretty much all your other ideas! I homeschool and this is perfect for my Kinder and Pre K children. :) Thank you! I will link back to your blog when I post on my blog! :)
This is such a great project! I used it this year and last year. They all enjoy it and it helps me see areas that need work.
The next lesson was drawing straight, curved and zigzag lines on yellow paper and then cutting them. They got to make crowns with the zigzag line cuts. Decorating the crowns was the fun part!
Thanks for all your ideas!
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