AN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE FOR PRE-K THROUGH FIRST GRADE
My Classroom
Tips On Setting Up Your Art Center
I love to keep our classroom art center fully stocked with every item you can imagine! I have everything from coffee beans to sequins in the shape of stars. Reggio Emilia schools have an "Atelier" which has inspired my art center. I like to be prepared to create projects on a whim. If the children see beautiful butterflies on the playground it's nice to be able to pull together a few materials for a butterfly art project that same day. It makes our art more meaningful.
The Light Table:
A Center for Creative Learning
If you have the opportunity to add something new to your classroom, I highly recommend purchasing a light table. This center is loved by me and my students because of the endless ways it can make learning creative and fun! A light table may look like an ordinary Pre K classroom table, until you light it up! Suddenly the Magne-tiles are illuminating colorful light, papers become see-through for tracing, and watercolor paints are more vibrant! In this photo, the children are working on a STEM activity as they build with magnetic and natural materials. They discover that magnets can work through the corrugated cardboard, but not the wood.
One of our weekly activities at the light table is tracing a letter themed page with an animal. They have so much fun learning to draw an animal for the first time, that they don't realize they are drawing tiny zig zag lines, long curved lines and counting small details. This activity builds their fine motor skills and writing skills in a fun and effective way! My light table traceable worksheets will soon be available on Teachers Pay Teachers. I'll be sharing more about our light table center in my future blog posts. Here are some links for ordering light tables:
This is the light table in my classroom. I have it sitting on top of a small table. Thttps://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07X1KQQG1/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A1YCDQJPFNZRAY&psc=1
This is a smaller version of a light table that is good for tracing, but not for building: