Mellow in Yellow

 

The childrens' "Yellow Collage" is proudly on display.

This story began on the first day of school. I have supervision duty at the front of the school as the big yellow buses roll in. For many of our JKs, riding the school bus for the first time is an important milestone! And, as with all rights, there are also responsibilities. We discussed the rules of riding the bus, and read stories (fiction & non-fiction) centred around buses. The dramatic play centre featured a pop-up bus. The colour yellow became very popular! The children were finding it everywhere.

Fast forward one morning in the backyard: one of our JK friends asked when we were going to have "Show & Tell" already?!  I tend to lean more towards a theme or purpose, and a set of criteria that the JKs can talk about in their "presentation". And as I was waiting to be inspired for the theme of our first "Show & Share", someone said they wanted to bring in their yellow bus from home. Aha! Yellow. How about a yellow collage? (OK, I'll admit it. It was a little more teacher directed than child directed :)

I drafted the letter up and sent home the request for children to bring in a yellow object (that they could part with). As the fascinating and treasured items rolled in, I asked questions that would prompt the oral communication at circle. The children were so proud!

Parents, thank you very much for your help.

 

What is it?

What colour is it?

What is used for? (The function.)

What size is it? (Comparing its size to something else.)

What is it made of? (Plastic? Wood? Metal? Cotton? etc.) 

 

As we moved around the circle, we would thank our friend for bringing their object in, and it joined the other yellow items on the atelier. The large table was piled high with treasures of yellow after the first day. The children were committed to bringing in their treasures all week long, and I enjoyed reading the messages from home, in the note-totes. The pile grew!

 

As a class, we gatherered around the atelier and brainstormed ideas about how we could attach the items to the piece of white peg board that migrated from my garage to our class. We observed the varying shades of yellow and the children made note that the piece of peg board was white. Something had to be done about that! This was a collage of yellow, afterall. Indeed, we needed a yellow background. What could we do? We added yellow paint to glue, and each took turns painting yellow crepe paper onto the board. This was an important part of the design process.

Layer # 1 :     White pegboard was covered with yellow

 

The artists concluded that all the flat yellow items should go on first. The yellow construction paper, sand paper, packages, napkins and photos of yellow objects were glued over any remaining white spots, and layers began to develop. They were having fun! Think "layers".

Layer # 2:   Flat pieces were added as background

 

Each material offered a different tactile experience and creative inspiration in the hands and imagination of the children. Again, think "layers".  In small groups, they were beckoned to the atelier to place their items on the collage. With my glue gun in hand, these items took up permanent residency on the collage.

Layer # 3:   3-Dimensional objects were added

 

 

Layer #4: Additional items were added 

 

This beautiful and collaborative piece of art was created by the JKs, layer by layer. The positioning (balance) of the items was child directed, and the multi-step process was completed by their hands. (*With the exception of the handling of the glue gun.) This piece exemplifies an appreciation for the aesthetics of seemingly disconnected items, and creativity. It models how a group of children (who were strangers a few short weeks ago) worked together towards a common goal.

 

Thank you families, for sending in the items that found their place at our atelier!