HOFESH HAGADOL!

Today was the last session before the vacation! We painted with water and tissue paper, then made necklaces from oven dried orange slices and beads- flowers and stars, pink and blue! Then, we had a watermelon party with all the parents... See you in September! Have a good vacation and do lots of artwork or just get inspired!



KIDS AS WRITERS AND ILLUSTRATORS

This week, the kids created their very own book. First, we illustrated four pages (I prefolded them into an accordion). Then, they "dictated" the story and I wrote their words down on separate paper that was then glued onto the illustrations. Some kids didn't want to tell their story in front of everyone, but wanted to dress up as the fairies and princesses that I suspect was inspired by their own illustrations.

Finally, we had to design the bookcovers. Two pieces of cardboard (from the cornflakes box) were front and backcover and then glued to the paintings.

Look how much imagination- how inspiring!

CARD MAKING

Creating cards for someone is a fun and gratifying project to do for kids all ages (including adults!).

The materials to use are very simple:

colored paper, use two different colors or more

scissors

tape or glue stick

stickers

pens or other writing/drawing material

Let the kids cut any shape from one paper and use tape or glue stick to attach to the other colored paper. Use stickers and pens to decorate the cards.

Note that using tape is a difficult task for little fingers, but I think it's very important for them to try out a lot by themselves. Offer some help if needed, but don't take over. Kids around the age of 2+ usually just want to pull the tape in very long strips, let them if you don't mind: they stop with it once they have learned what it does and move on to learn how to cut it off and use it in short strips.

PRINT AND COLLAGE

A few months ago, we printed with these cake base paper. The outcome was more of an experiment than a finished product, but this second time, the kids already had a technique of printing with these. We used the brushes and pressed them through the little holes to make beautiful patterns. Then, we continued with glue and paper-flowers and stickers.

 

PRINCESS AND MYSELF- CLAY PORTRAITS

This week at the chug, I gave out each child a piece of clay and suggested we make persons. The mixed aged group ranged from 2 up to 5, so we just briefly talked about body proportions and then I let the kids go about it freely. The older kids made a princess, another a selfportrait in a secret place. What is for sure, the pallettes were added happily all over.



The selfportrait in a secret place with the drawing of it.

Next, we painted on newspaper as the background. I tried to give out only newspaper with text, not to distract with vibrant photos too much. Also, the kids worked with small brushes, so they would be able to work a bit more slowly- a different apporach than the big movements brushes. We talked about recycling and I mentioned that many artists used newspaper as their canvas for paintings (Franz Kline, Pablo Picasso, Juan Gris, among others).