I have a penchant for apples - particularly fresh, organic apples. Who can resist a trip to a local orchard, this time of year? In class, we have already read a few read-alouds on the topic (both fiction and non-fiction), and the children made a number of relevant and detailed connections. Thinking that the "real deal" might be an object of interest, I stopped on the side of the road one morning, and collected these beauties. They had literally dropped onto the shoulder of road, waiting for me to harvest and take into school.
To play.
To explore.
To observe.
To create.
The children were so excited. They pulled out chairs and called to classmates. They observed. They all picked up their apple and made it a tactile experience. Some smelled it. It is not that they had never seen, touched or even smelled an apple before. It was just the first time that a basket of apples had appeared at the atelier. With oil pastels. Without instructions!?!
There were some questions directed at me. There is this dance that we do...
The children: What are we supposed to do?
Me: What do you notice?
The children: There are some red crayons.
Me: What do you notice?
Some picked up the pastel and applied it to paper. Some applied it to the apple! Now that, I never saw coming! In one case, the apple itself was used as a tool to apply scarlet red oil pastel onto the paper in order to replicate the apple!
This display of vibrant junior kindergarten art stands out on it own, and makes a stunning statement. And while I know that these apples (like our sunflowers) don't have a long shelf life, I sense that the "wonder" of these apples; these objects from nature, will persist. And while I feel that there is a place for direct instruction in the classroom, there is also a place for promoting inquiry and creativity.
We're so glad you visited the atelier.
What a great exercise for fall! Our daughter really enjoyed this exercise. Many thanks!
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