An offering for the children of Room 7 from Mentor Teacher Liz Mark
Liz shared that prior to school closing, the children had been exploring the relationship between natural materials, mark-making, and impressions.
She then offered possibilities to extend the experience at home.
She then offered possibilities to extend the experience at home.
You Will Need
You can do this activity outside OR you can walk around your yard collecting materials to use for rubbings (they would need to be fairly flat)
- Paper
- Crayons or colored pencils
- Outdoor Space
You can do this activity outside OR you can walk around your yard collecting materials to use for rubbings (they would need to be fairly flat)
Take a walk around the yard and find different textured surfaces. This can include: patio stones, tree trunks, wood grain on a deck, etc.
Place the paper on top of the textured surface. Rub the crayons or colored pencils on the paper.
Reflect on the marks that are left by the different materials. You can also collect materials that would work well for this activity, and bring them inside.
Notice what aspect of the activity your child is drawn to, and reflect on it with them - actively asking questions while they are working. Discuss the differences in marks, differences in materials, what material was difficult or easy to use or collect the marks from.
Afterwards you can find ways to create finger or foot prints, and discuss the connection between the two activities: how a finger print is leaving one's mark (or trace) just like the rubbings and impressions made with materials found outside.
Place the paper on top of the textured surface. Rub the crayons or colored pencils on the paper.
Reflect on the marks that are left by the different materials. You can also collect materials that would work well for this activity, and bring them inside.
Notice what aspect of the activity your child is drawn to, and reflect on it with them - actively asking questions while they are working. Discuss the differences in marks, differences in materials, what material was difficult or easy to use or collect the marks from.
Afterwards you can find ways to create finger or foot prints, and discuss the connection between the two activities: how a finger print is leaving one's mark (or trace) just like the rubbings and impressions made with materials found outside.