Our finished work files are starting to look messy, which is a signal that fall has finally arrived and we need to sort and select work for our portfolios. First, though, we need beautiful Take Home Envelopes in which to send home the giant piles of finished work.
We began by coating manila envelopes in black acrylic paint.
Since we've been studying the solar system, I decided a little star-studded inspiration was in order. We studied The Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh. We examined the tints and shades Van Gogh chose to use in his painting, and the children practiced mixing tints and shades during the morning work period.
We also discussed foreground and background. The children used q-tips to create starry night backgrounds.
Because I didn't want twenty-two Starry Night look-alikes, I told the children to design their own foregrounds that would go with a starry night background.
I don't know why I'm always surprised by the deep concentration and peace that art brings to children, but it never ceases to amaze me. Some of my wiggliest, most unfocused little people were completely absorbed by this project--more beautiful than any work of art!
The results are phenomenal--and every one different!
cool!
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