Light Table Arrangements

"I want to make an arrangement." - Eliza, 3.4 years

As you know, the Brown Room birthday gifts this year have been beautiful collages for each child. The art of collage requires thought about arrangement, composition, layering, patterns, color, negative/positive space, balance (in a few senses of the word), and more. Our birthday collages invite a more permanent arrangement (i.e. we are gluing down the arrangements to make a collaged gift).  The children have begun to identify other types of collages that we can make. For example, Will recently proclaimed that her wire sculpture (these are all on display in the classroom) a "wire collage".  

The light table has been very active these past few weeks.  Recently, we have shifted the materials that are near the light table to encourage arrangements/collages/small building on the light table.  This type of "collage" invites flexibility with the materials.  Since we are not using adhesives, the materials are easily moved around and the children can edit their work. 

The light table enhances the idea of the positive and negative space as it provides a different kind of contrast than just a solid colored background (e.g. white or black piece of paper/cardboard).  The children have also been observing the way translucent materials change the color or intensity of the light:
                                                       "Now it's pink!"  "This [layered portion in photo below] is darker." 

"It's for decoration."
- George, 3.6 years

Arranging UP

Here, Cully begins to create a pattern with the chips, metal knobs, and colorful wooden pieces. His pattern was initially 2D, but when we asked, "What if you stack them?", he began to add layers of materials to create a 3D arrangement/pattern. 

Collaboration

Adeline and Gracie worked together, with assistance and encouragement from others, to create a 3D arrangement that filled in one of the large frame mats. 

"We're adding layers." - Adaline, 3.5 years
"We made one more layer." - Gracie, 3.4 years
How may do you have?
"Five!" - Gracie
"This one has one more. Six!" - Adaline
**Look at that addition!**

This arrangement took time and patience. They had to converse with each other about the choices that they were making (e.g. which material would make the next layer or whether). Their biggest debate was about whether or not the metal pieces should be right side up or upside down. Compromise is not easy, but as you can see in the photo to the left, they did compromise. Their patience was tested as pieces fell - "This isn't balancing." - Gracie

"Look! It's balancing!" - Will, 3.5 years

Will sat quietly across from Gracie and Adaline and created a small structure on the light table. 

"It's a happy face!"
- Gracie, 3.4 years

There are beautiful arrangements happening in Brown Room and more collaging to come! We'd love to hear about any arrangements/collages the children are creating at home! 

Happy Spring Break!

We hope that you all have a wonderful spring break! After break we'll share some of the children's work with clay and drawing! They are doing amazing things! 

Reminders: 
1. We'll see you all at parent-teacher conferences on March 15th and 16th. 
2. Our parent/child printmaking experience will be on April 7th at 8:15 am. 
3. The staff will be traveling to Reggio Emilia, Italy for a study tour with teachers/pedagogistas/atelieristas from the school of Reggio Emilia.  Yes - we are going to school on our break! ("You will go to school? Like me?" - Cully) We look forward to sharing some reflections with you on April 4th at 8:15 am as part of our PTC meeting.  
4. The Monday after Spring Break, March 27th, will be our first Monday Backwards Day. From now until the end of the school year, Backwards day will be on Mondays!
5. There will be no parent morning meetings the week after spring break. Beginning the week of April 3rd, parent morning meetings will be on Mondays (outside) and Fridays.