EXPLORING ARTISTS & CREATING WITH NATURE
In prep-2 classes, students are beginning to develop into independent, innovative young learners. A great activity that incorporates both natural materials and outdoor play is inspired by a famous land artist 'Andy Goldsworthy'. Before going outside, explain to your students the purpose of the activity and some fun facts about the focus artist Goldsworthy. You could also, to give them an idea of what the activity entails, show them a short clip of Goldsworthy constructing some land art and some images of what he has created.
- Go outside as a class, and break the class up into groups of about 4 (as long as they are even) and go into the school yard.
- Explain to them that they are to create some form of 'land art' together as a group with whatever materials they find in the yard. They could make a tee pee out of twigs or a layout of different coloured stones.
- Allow them to explore, let their imaginations run wild and create something magical. This activity encourages children to be creative, innovative, appreciate nature and their environment and promote out door play.
- Over the following week, go outside to the yard as a class and see the progress of their land art. Just as Goldsworthy watches his art de-construct as nature takes place, encourage the children to see how their art also de-constructs in the school environment.
- Go outside as a class, and break the class up into groups of about 4 (as long as they are even) and go into the school yard.
- Explain to them that they are to create some form of 'land art' together as a group with whatever materials they find in the yard. They could make a tee pee out of twigs or a layout of different coloured stones.
- Allow them to explore, let their imaginations run wild and create something magical. This activity encourages children to be creative, innovative, appreciate nature and their environment and promote out door play.
- Over the following week, go outside to the yard as a class and see the progress of their land art. Just as Goldsworthy watches his art de-construct as nature takes place, encourage the children to see how their art also de-constructs in the school environment.
SOME OF ANDY GOLDSWORTHYS LAND ART CREATIONS
How to asses this activity:
This activity entails to work in a group; show interest and being involved. So as a teacher you don't have to put the pressures of a test condition assessment.
- Observe how they work in a group
- Wether they participate, interact and communicate properly with other group members
- How much interest they show in the activity as a whole
- When you get back into class, give the students time to reflect in their activity, by writing down; how they felt, if they enjoyed it and what they learnt.
This way the children do not feel pressured to reach 'certain expectations' and they have fun in the process of the class activity.
This activity entails to work in a group; show interest and being involved. So as a teacher you don't have to put the pressures of a test condition assessment.
- Observe how they work in a group
- Wether they participate, interact and communicate properly with other group members
- How much interest they show in the activity as a whole
- When you get back into class, give the students time to reflect in their activity, by writing down; how they felt, if they enjoyed it and what they learnt.
This way the children do not feel pressured to reach 'certain expectations' and they have fun in the process of the class activity.
Link to Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF):
Outcome 2: Children are connected with and contribute to their world
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Outcome 5: Children are effective communicators
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