Art in Prekindergarten

Hi Folks,

I wanted to share a few thoughts on the Art programming at Vinton Prekindergarten.  I am of the belief that a true appreciation of art and the pursuit of art-related activities can benefit all children, especially our youngest learners. Such pursuits require original thinking, and ours is a  place that does not look for conformity.  Art work in Prekindergarten should, I believe, encourage open-minded curiosity and exploration.  Students cannot really think until they are able to experiment with ideas.  I value process over product, using mediums to express themselves, and either accepting or rejecting their own ideas and making changes as they see fit.  I am pleased when I see my students using materials in novel ways.  When children ask for materials to extend their learning, we honor most of those requests.  For example, if children are finger painting, but they want to use a paintbrush, that paintbrush is supplied.  Watching children engage in the freedom of artistic pursuits is a learning experience for me every year.   

Creating with Shapes and developing skills with writing

Farm and Harvest has begun!

The students will be learning about the responsibilities and jobs of farmers.  They will be learning new vocabulary as to what tools and vehicles are used on a farm, as well as what products are grown and sold.  From milking cows to gathering eggs from chickens, we'll be learning to love living on the farm.

A Walk in the Woods

The students had a lovely walk in the woods out behind Vinton School.  We used our senses to hear the sounds of the birds, the rustle of the leaves, the crunching of them underfoot.  Rotting logs were gently rolled to reveal their secrets.  

Tree Blocks-Ecological Engineering

Rug play not only addresses creative expression performance standards with blocks, but develops a child's ability to cross midline and improve balance.  

Students were reread the story "Mouse Paint" and made predictions as to what color their two finger paints would make!

Squeezing the bags was fun and gave our hands a work out.

MOUSE PAINT-Understanding primary and secondary colors

FINGER PAINTING ON VERTICAL SURFACES

COLOR COLOR COLOR

Shape making, book design and math groups for color groups last week

We made class books that mimic "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?"  We read the book as a class today.

Students added a body to their head

Since we're learning about Primary and Secondary Colors, and counting, this bear game covered several performance standards and it was fun!

More shots from Water Day

How many frogs can a lily pad hold?  How many frogs can a lily hold?  What if we stack the lily pads, will they hold more frogs?  Why did more frogs stay on the lily pads than gems?  Lots of questions to generate and answer!

Friends cooperated to fill containers with water.

The water spigot had choices, jet, shower, soaker etc.

Sink or Float?  Many theories as to why wood floats when it is dry and that magnets work underwater!