1F pupils experimented with mark-making on foam boards today. There was no teacher demonstration. I wanted the children to experiment with different ways of creating marks on the foam boards. Pupils transferred their designs onto papers using the ink pads provided.
Everyone was engaged in the art-making process. Some children appeared unsure at first. Maybe they expected a teacher's step-by-step instructions. I hope to see our children move away from such structured way of doing art.
As 1F pupils etched their designs and transferred their works onto the paper, they made some discoveries. They noticed different ways of creating marks and how different techniques created very different prints.
Some adventurous pupils used other materials to etch their designs instead of the recommended pencils. I was amused but I did not stop them. I was curious about the outcome of their choice. These children talked about how the kinds of lines created using ice-cream sticks and those using pencils were different. I was impressed by their observations.
Had I conducted this lesson through step-by-step instructions, I would not have the opportunity to see such a wide repertoire of prints created today. This is an important lesson for me as an art educator.
In the afternoon, I was at the Singapore Teachers' Academy for the Arts (STAR). I shared 1F printmaking lesson with the art teachers from various primary and secondary schools as well as the program manager from STAR. I invited them to participate in the art-making process.
I was thrilled to see everyone engage in the activity, just like 1F pupils did. The artworks created were stunning, varied in style and yet every piece was a unique masterpiece. Their enthusiasm was contagious. I joined in the fun too.
A big THANK YOU to all the art teachers @ STAR for the active participation and sharing of such wonderful art-making techniques with our pupils. I really look forward to more of such sharing sessions again.
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