My favorite classes where always art when I was a kid. So when my teacher-friends suggested I teach at an after school program I was excited about the possibility and began researching. I came up with lesson plans & even observed classroom management. All the students were well behaved and involved in activities. I felt well prepared for the first day.... everyone had a "creative crown" they were to put on when they entered, they each had their own station equipped with an apron, and I even had a little back-up activity if they finished early. Long story short.... they came in, blew through my activities, bounced off the walls, and then were gone as quickly as they came. I was standing in an enormously messy room & I wasn't sure what exactly had just happened. It took a day or two for the haze to lift, but when it did I began working on my new tactics.
Last week we made "Oatmeal Play Clay" (mix 1 cup oatmeal, 1/2 cup flour, and 1/2 water to make a dough). We then made sculptures & painted them with diluted food coloring. I had intentions of taking pictures during the class, but that was the last thing on my mind once the fun began. I would suggest doing this activity with ONE kid.
This week we're making canister creatures. I'm equipped with tons of things to cut, paste, and color. I'm going to start with books to get them motivated (and take up time), we'll move into the activity, and then I'm going to have them draw themselves on a big sheet of paper (just for kicks). If this doesn't fill our time we're moving into "Musical Art Chairs". Wish me luck!
Last week we made "Oatmeal Play Clay" (mix 1 cup oatmeal, 1/2 cup flour, and 1/2 water to make a dough). We then made sculptures & painted them with diluted food coloring. I had intentions of taking pictures during the class, but that was the last thing on my mind once the fun began. I would suggest doing this activity with ONE kid.
This week we're making canister creatures. I'm equipped with tons of things to cut, paste, and color. I'm going to start with books to get them motivated (and take up time), we'll move into the activity, and then I'm going to have them draw themselves on a big sheet of paper (just for kicks). If this doesn't fill our time we're moving into "Musical Art Chairs". Wish me luck!
