Are you looking for some fun ideas for a preschool space theme? Check out this Mars Invitation to Create Process Art Experience.
We’re still working our way through the Rock Planets and today’s lesson was all about Mars.
According to our Teacher Guide, Mars is known as the “Red Planet” It has rocks and red dust. Mars can get very cold. It has craters, mountains and volcanoes.
We talked about how Mars is made of iron that becomes red when it’s mixed with oxygen (like rusting metal). And I explained to him that this particular planet is known for strong dust storms too.
And since the focus this month is on creative art, I thought it’d be fun to share lots of fun process art and talk a little bit more about it.
You know, because open-ended art is something that we’re definitely all about around here.
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If you’ve been around for a while, then you probably already know that we’re using Mother Goose Time for preschool this year. We’re so blessed to be receiving this curriculum and of course both the little guy and I love it.
Our invitation to create for today was kinda messy, but whatever works. We read Me And My Place in Space and made our very own version of Mars.
Before reading the story, ask children to look at the cover and predict what they might see in the story. Ask, “Which planets do you think will be in the story?
I love the changes to this year’s curriculum and especially that we’re reading each story more than once. It’s gives us the opportunity to switch things up a bit and focus on an entirely different aspect each time.
Mars Invitation to Create Process Art Experience
Visual Arts (32.2), Communication (8.1)
What you’ll need
- Inspiration Photo
- 2 Large White Dot Stickers
- Background Paper
Here’s how to do it
- Set out the inspiration photo and additional supplies.
- What do you see in the photo?
- What supplies will help you make art that looks like the photo?
- What will be your first step?
- How can you try to create mountains in your picture?
- Where will you put the stickers?
- What materials did the child choose to use?
- What intentional techniques did you see him use to make designs?
The little guy was so excited when he saw the sand that came in today’s daily discovery bag and couldn’t wait to get started.
He seemed to work in layers adding sand and glue and then a little more of each. He did this over and over again until he was totally satisfied with what he was doing.
And when he found the two large white dot stickers… Well, we all know how much little kids love stickers, right? We had a little oops that involved some quick cleanup and then he was back at it again.
The thing about process art is that it’s essentially never ending. I’ve given him a set of supplies at least a few times that have turned into an entire afternoon project. There’s no starting point or ending point. And just like our art journals, sometimes the little guy pulls out a project from a few days before to continue working on.
I love that I can inspire him with only a few basic things that we already have around the house. That’s just one of the reasons that the invitation to create experiences are so awesome.
Don’t forget to check back if you’re interested in seeing what we’re up to with our Blast Off to Space theme. And if you missed our preschool space post, you can check it out here.
Looking for more insight & inspiration? Here are the top 10 most popular posts from The Keeper of the Memories. You’re definitely not going to want to miss these!
As a Mother Goose Time blog ambassador, I receive the Mother Goose Time Preschool curriculum in exchange for my honest and authentic stories resulting from our personal experiences. As always, my opinions on awesome stuff for little kids are 100% my own. Keep in mind that all preschoolers do things in their own time and on their own terms. What one is ready for, another might not be. Please use your best mama judgement when planning activities for your little kids. #mgtblogger
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