Cutting Skills

Cutting Skills are also great for fine motor.

Children with additional learning needs may need altered scissors. These are available from thinkingtoys.ie

http://www.thinkingtoys.ie/fine-motor-skills---all/fine-scissors

Your class kit of scissors may have left-handed scissors in it. They overlap on the opposite side and are much easier for children who cut with their left hand. Sometimes they are the two colour ones (yellow and green).

Cutting skills can begin with fringes. Children can cut 'grass'. 

The next progression is curvy and zig zag lines.

When the children have mastered these, shapes that have curved and sharp edges will work well. 2-D shapes are good to use too, start with straight edge shapes- squares, rectangles, triangles and then introduce circles (these are tricky!). 

Encourage the children to turn the page as they cut. Maybe cutting a general line around the shape will work and then cutting the details.

Remind them to have smooth edges- not jagged. 

A 'Cutting Skills' copy is useful to stick the shapes in. It is also a good running record of their progress! 

Keep challenging them with harder shapes.

I found these pages on : http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/

Mosaic

My own mosaic

Have you ever tried mosaic in art? As an adult it is soo therapeutic. It can't be rushed- and forces you to stay in the moment. Like knitting or sewing, it is repetitive- I think this is a great mindfulness exercise.

Mosaic can be experimented with using paper at a young age. My first class made this group picture using mosaic (a ratio of 3:1 boys = Mindcraft obsession!)

Tiles can also be used with middle primary and senior primary level.

Firstly you will need a base tile. It doesn't matter what colour they are because they will be covered with grout. Just a plain left over tile will do.

The small tiles can be bought from a craft shop (Buy tiles here: http://corkartsupplies.com/Craft-Mosaic/), or you can buy bathroom tiles on a net and cut them/ steep them in boiling water and remove.

I just used the tiles at this size with primary school children. You can buy cutters, but I wouldn't let children do this- and make sure you wear safety glasses.

Remind the children that the edges of tiles may be sharp- and not to rummage around too heavily in the container of tiles.

You will need adhesive and grout in one. This can be bought as a mixture or pre-made.

Using spatulas, the children 'butter' the grout onto the small tiles and stick to the main tile.

Add buttons and beads for variety

Leave to dry for a day.
Cover the whole tile in the grout to fill all the gaps. Using a damp sponge, wipe off all excess.

Leave for another day.
Gently sand off any excess grout and polish the finished product.

I really like the work of an Irish artist, Dawn Aston (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dawn-Aston-Art-and-Designs/138942572800775?sk=wall). 

She runs workshops which I highly recommend! 

I attended one in the Purple Raven Art Studio in Delvin, Co. Westmeath (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Purple-Raven-Art/132973726731506?fref=ts). 

Why use Play Doh/ Mårla ?

I use Mårla every day with my first class. 

I say "Mårla" as I'm not sure what the proper name is- probably plasticine.

Play-doh is great for younger years- but this is the old-school, tougher stuff! The stuff you have to warm up to manipulate!

The children get so much from this activity.

I schedule it after they write down their homework in the morning, as I get through some reading.
It keeps them on task as they want to have the homework down so they can get their marla. This allows for the few stragglers to come in and get their homework down too.

Firstly as it is a bit harder, it's great for their fine motor skills. They can roll, flatten, pinch and create small pieces from it.

I add craft supplies to their individual marla box (hygiene). They press, cut, saw with these. I encourage them to use their imagination and add craft supplies to the box that they want to use- milk carton lids, straws, plastic spoons etc.

As the year progresses, I always see their creativity progressing. They move from rolling the marla to making characters/ machines and then to creating games with these.

It always helps with handwriting and pencil skills.

Story books to teach children about artists

I really like the idea of introducing artists to children through story. Often, I feel like I am just showing them the art. I always feel more connected when I hear the story behind the art, so I'm sure children so too!

Henri's Scissors

Henri Matisse-

Matisse's art work can be explored through the cutting and sticking of shapes.

I like to use a cutting skills copy with my class as cutting is great for fine motor skills. This would be a fantastic integration while exploring 2D shapes in maths. 

Action Jackson

Jackson Pollock-

http://www.bookdepository.com/Action-Jackson-Jan-Greenberg/9780312367510

Splat Paintings are a great way to explore his process

This book is great to encourage children to see shapes creatively. It was another I picked up on my splurge in MoMA! I plan on using it to support the exploration of Matisse's work.

The Day the Crayons Quit

To encourage colouring with many colours

Oops- making something from Mistakes, song!

Teaching Children to Overcome Criticism

Here's another story about creating art for children.