Tuesday, December 13, 2011

When Turning "Process-Art" Into "Product" Makes Sense!

Almost everything is about the "process" in my classroom!  We paint and create with various materials, tools and textures and enjoy exploring the process of painting and creating.  We dance and explore the process of moving our bodies.  We sing and explore the process and power of our vocal range, pitch and tempo. 

Talk about a sensory experience!  The feel of the tree, the smell of the gingerbread baby ornaments, the lights, the colors...oh my.   We may need to take a little sensory break after this experience! :)  Just realized how messy this looks...well, honesty is the best policy I suppose!
But, for highly concrete-thinking children, it often makes more SENSE to see an actual product.  Besides, I'm pretty sure the parents of the children in my classroom have pasted their walls and refrigerators (hopefully not the trash cans) with white pieces of paper covered in a thick, gooey layer of red, orange or yellow paint.  They may need a bit of a break from these wonderful paintings!


So, every once in a while, an idea for all these thick, gooey layers of paint papers pops into my head...and I run with it!  For several weeks now, the children have enjoyed using red paint on white paper...that's it....nothing else to it.  Simply red paint, white paper, various sized paint brushes and an easel!


Today, I cut all those large pieces of paper into smaller rectangles.  I also cut rectangles from red construction paper.  I stapled these in a brick pattern on our bulletin board to make a "fireplace".  I just had to add a rope light around it as well, as it simply wasn't bright enough already!


So, tomorrow, while we're sitting by the "fireplace" reading books (since it is the book area after all) we'll be able to talk about all the papers that THE CHILDREN painted to help make that fireplace!  

                                        
The idea of a "fireplace" will make sense to them, since this is often in stories involving the holidays.  It will hold some meaning to them and they will be interested in talking about it.  But, best of all, the children have also become an integral part of the creation of this "product".   And, because of this it holds more meaning and is more personalized.  So, even though I think it is important to embrace allowing the children to explore the process, sometimes it really does make sense to turn some of those process-art pieces into a product!

5 comments:

  1. YEAH!!!! Process used to create Product!!!!! Pretty sweet, dearie!!! LUV seeing what you've come up with AND LUV LUV LUV having you link this post linked up for others to share.

    Thanks so much!!!
    Debbie Clement

    ReplyDelete
  2. Well thanks Debbie! So glad I could join in your birthday celebration!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thats a great idea! Process art is fun, but it is also awesome to have the feeling that you created something "real!"

    ReplyDelete
  4. Pam
    Well, I just enjoyed your post alot today.
    Such a wonderful way to use the children's process, to make something they can identify.

    As well, I sincerely believe that messy is a good thing, when it comes to children. (Although it really doesn't look too messy in your photo). :)
    Brenda

    ReplyDelete
  5. Brenda- LOL! Perhaps it looks "messier" to me since I know what is on the other side of the camera as well :)

    ReplyDelete

Grab the "How Long is this Hall" Button!

HowLongisthishall?!
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Total Pageviews

Popular Posts