Pendulum Paintings.

Pendulum drip painting with eggs!

 

We began this lesson by reading the book, Little blue and little yellow by Leo Lionni. It is such a cute story about two little dots who are best friends and one day after they hug they both turn green! This story inspired us to use the colors blue and yellow to create our own pendulum paintings.

First we discussed what a pendulum is. A pendulum is made from hanging an object from something else. When you pull a pendulum to one side and let it go, it swings back and forth. Galilelo was the first to really study pendulums and he discovered that their regularity could be used for keeping time which led to the first clocks. We discussed how we would have more control over ours as we were the ones moving the egg on the string back and forth.

 

I then filled the plastic eggs with blue and yellow liquid water color paint and attached a string to each of the eggs. The plastic eggs that I picked up already had two small holes in each end but if not it shouldn't be too hard to add them.

 

 

 

The children then took turns to swing their paint filled eggs back and forth across the paper. Some held the string closer to the paper others further away.

They were having so much fun and each remarked joyfully when the two colors combined to make green dots as well!

 

 

We will be revisiting pendulum painting outside, on a larger scale when the weather warms up a bit more!

 

For free print outs explaining this activity to add to the students paper click here.

 

 



Inspiring Artists

"There are painters who transform the sun into a yellow spot, but there are others who, thanks to their art and intelligence, transform a yellow spot into the sun." -Pablo Picasso
 

 

We made our own color pallettes for imaginative art play. I believe that the colloboration of art and dramatic play is a great way to enhance children's creativity. It gives them a chance to visualize art in a new way without the limitations of their motor skills which can sometimes be a source of frustration for some children.

 

Dramatic play in general provides students with many developmental advantages necessary to later success in school. One of these advantages is the development of self-regulation, which has a strong correlation to academic and social success for children. Essentially, when children engage in meaningful play, they practice interactions and experiences they will have in real life. Children use play to model relationships they have seen and to understand the world around them. While engaged in this type of play, children learn the skills necessary to regulate their emotions and impulses, while mimicking and experiencing real life situations. (Old Fashioned Play Builds Serious Skills, 2010)

Value of art to the child

Why is art important for children?

What are the goals of an art project?

 

 

1. Art develops critical thinking.

2. Art provides a means of communication and self expression.

3. Art serves as an emotional release.

4. Art strengthens self concept and confidence.

5. Art increases self understanding.

6. Art heightens aesthetic awareness and sensitivity.

7. Art enhances the ability to visualize.

8. Art provides problem solving and decesion making opportunities.

9. Art develops an appreciation for the individuality of others.

10. Art leads to the integration of the individual.

11. Art serves as a balance to classroom activities.

12. Art aids physical coordination.

13. Art develops work habits and a sense of responsibility.

14. Art aids the adult in understanding and helping the child.

15. Art generates joy!

 



For the art area...

Want your child or your class to have more scissor practice to help strengthen their fine motor skills? Here is an easy idea for your art area to get them working and keep things organized! 
 

A Scissor Station!!!

I try my best to keep things easily organized for the children in my class. I jazzed up these tin cans by adding some scrapbook paper to the outside!

So cute and inexpensive! : )