Connecting the Dots
We shared a new book in the Atelier. We Are All Dots: A Big Plan for a Better World incorporates the classroom mantra of Welcoming and the value of community. With a classroom intention on perspective-taking, we began the discussion on what it means to be part of a whole. We asked:
How does one small dot or thing contribute to the bigger world?
How are we a part of the bigger picture?
We took this as an opportunity to introduce the technique of Pointillism – because each small part makes a whole representation- and new oil paint pens on a Plexiglass surface. Using unusual materials helps to slow the process and reveal different responses from familiar materials.
Combining our previous experience with shadows and our interests in succulents, we traced a projected shadow of a succulent onto the Plexi.
This is a description of what is going on
Another description of what is happening
The children approached the tracing of a previous drawing individually and shared the pencil, one to the other. Referencing the succulent, the group agreed on the color scheme and one by one they worked with the oil paint pens to begin the representation of the plant. The new surface of the Plexi was slippery and the first attempts of a dot were not as easy as expected for the children.
When it was Masons’ turn, he paused and said, “I can’t do it.” The group encouraged him to try.
He was quiet for a minute and then said, “One spot for a dot.” The group joined and started to chant. “One spot for a dot. One spot for a dot”. Mason smiled and he brought the marker to the surface and contributed to the community piece.
The group shared a joyous moment and, just like in the book, recognized the value of including each other in experiences.
Reflecting on the work, Katy added, “I know the name of this, Pointillism. Me and Ophelia took an art class and learned about an artist.”
Atelierista Cindy: “What can you share with the group?”
Katy: “He painted the Eiffel Tower. I don’t remember his name.”
Atelierista Cindy: “Could it be Georges Seurat?”
Katy nodded her head and we did some research online to find the image she remembered.
Erik: looking at the Eiffel Tower, “Wow, he used probably a thousand dots.”
Katy: “He was happy when he saw his work.”
Erik: “I’m happy with ours.”
Atelierista Cindy: “What makes you happy?”
Erik: “Because we did it together.”