December – When I grow up

It's important that all children grow up with aspirations and dreams. To conclude our class for 2017, we got our students to think about the future pushing their vision to several years ahead by asking them to visualize ‘what they want to be when they grow up’.

It was an interesting exercise indeed! Before putting their creativity on paper, we started off with an exciting discussion. Everyone shared their thoughts, views and hopes of their future. Then they were asked to visualize their future self, donned in their future work attire with 'tool/s of trade’ in hand. Somewhere along the way, the theme took a twist and got more exciting, with the children veering off into a concept change by showing ‘paper puppet clothes’ to go with their choice of career! They were driving the class!

Learning outcome: Self-confidence, Imagination, forward-thinking and Creativity

November: Repetitions!

Art researchers have outlined six principles (some say seven) of design as a guide for designers in creating good design and works of art. The six principles are: balance, proximity, alignment, contrast, space and repetition.

Today, the class focused on repetition; which referred to one object or shape being repeated. The class started with a brief input on the theme. For better understanding, repetative patterns on scarves and shawls were shown as examples.

Today's task required our students to create their own repetitive patterns. They were taught to create stencils of their own/ preferred shape.

Learning outcome: Principles of design, pattern and stencil making, creativity

November – My Planet!

Today our bugs soared above and beyond - the Solar System! The class was introduced to the sun and the eight planets in our solar system. The activity emphasised on how the shapes, sizes and colours of the planets varied. To get a better understanding of this subject, the first activity was to colour the planets according to the template given. Next, the bugs were tasked to design their own planet with shape, size and colour of their choice. Once finished, they have to name the planet and explain the rationale behind their design decision.

Learning outcome: Introduction to the Solar System, creative thinking skills and encouraging students to consider design rationales

November - Dinosaurs!

Dinosaurs first appeared between 247 and 240 million years ago. They ruled the Earth for around 175 million years until their extinction circa 65.5 million years ago. Despite this, dinosaurs are still a popular subject and still linger in our imagination.

After a brief introduction of the subject, today we asked our students to explore their creativity by creating their own dinosaurs! Our Bugs came up with their versions of dinos; some with long necks, three eyes, sharp teeth, short tails and many more!

Next, they had to name them (to name a few; Pinkysaurus, Totosaurus, Imosaurus etc) and create a model of their dinosaur using balloons and paper. Creating a name for their dinosaur was meant to create an emotional connection between the ‘designer’ and its creation. Our young designers were also tasked to breathe life into their designs by making actual models of their creations. Today's activity promotes 3 dimensional awareness and a great sense of achievement!

Learning outcome: learning the basics of dinosaurs, character design, imagination play and transferring idea on paper to physical models.

November - Building & Construction

Research finds children six to twelve can be very ingenious and creative builders. Building with blocks, boxes and other miscellaneous household items presents a fun and fluid form of creativity that exudes the pleasure of seeing a three-dimensional structure emerge quickly.

With little guidance, today’s project required our bugs to build their own 3D model playground from an assortment of recycled boxes. They were given the freedom to use and explore all available materials from the class; from boards, scissors, masking tape, glue to strings. This activity encouraged the freewheeling style of construction creativity, problem solving techniques (e.g. using additional board to make the slide stand), familiarising with cutting tools and most importantly, a sense of achievement and pleasure in accomplishing a building construction. The simple goal assigned to them was learning to work with recyclables - the process being more important than the end product.

Learning outcome: Freewheeling construction activity, problem solving techniques and promotes recycling activity.

October – My Board Game

There is nothing more satisfying than playing a game created and designed by yourself!

Today our bugs created their very own board game; based on the classic ‘snake & ladder’. Before putting their ideas on the drawing board, our young designers went through the process of understanding the rules and its gameplay by playing rounds of the original snake & ladder. Next, the task was to design their own board, starting with replacing ‘snakes’ and ‘ladders’ with subjects of their choice; e.g replacing ‘ladders’ with elevators, escalators, rockets or trees.    

Game invention puts children in position of power, as they decide on which game to invent, select needed materials and set up the rules (Castle, 1990).

Learning outcome: Today’s activity provides valuable educational experience such as writing rules and game labels, arithmetic, focusing and creativity.

October: My First Tee Shirt Design

The class today was guided through the motion of personalizing their own tee with their names, and choice touch of art.

Everyone brought in their own tee shirt and was shown how a cut-out template can be fashioned out of an everyday available wax paper. The class worked on creating their own templates of favoured shapes and designs. Next, they were carefully guided through the hot stamped process and followed by sponging on their individual choice of colour.

Voila! An exercise and experience learnt on how to personalize their very own tee shirt!

Learning outcome: Creating stencilled templates, the idea of personalizing, new art and craft material exploration.

October: Henna/ Mehndi Art

Heena or Mehndi has been around for 5,000 years! Originating from Egypt, the art has spread across all continents and has evolved to meet cultures and social environments. In Malaysia, the art form of Henna shows great influence from India with   the artform being used to adorn women’s palms, arms and feet as part of wedding celebrations believably to bring luck and joy to the bride.  Nowadays it is a fashion statement revered by many, cutting across beliefs and backgrounds.

Today, our class discussed and learnt to draw the three traditional motifs in henna art - the Tree, Paisley and Floret. Using the three motifs, the students were asked to mix and decorate the motifs onto their hand prints. Next, our students were asked to create their own motifs; based on their favourite things (to name a few; iron man, pony, princess, maths!) and applied in Henna art form.

Learning outcome: Learning the traditional art of Henna/Mehndi, traditional motifs, creating their very own motifs

September – My Photo Fridge Magnet

“No need to buy fridge magnets in memory of places visited and favourite things... Make your own, and what better magnets than that to frame yourself and your loved ones”

The main objective is to give ideas of activities and come up with creations that can be made using every day common art items. In just 90 minutes, our students have explored tracing, measuring, cutting, colouring and pasting employing a range of material which included the use of drawing block, mounting board, masking tape, hot glue and magnet.

Learning Outcome: use of materials, creativity and encourage do-it-yourself

September - Skin and Bones

Science meets Art! 

Science meets Art! Today our 5-8 year olds learnt about the bones in our body! Class started with a brief introduction of the human body, simple names and function of the bones. Next, using mounting board, q-tips and glue, our students created their own skeletal diagram – complete with labelling

Learning outcome: Introduction to human bones and how to see them as an art form, creativity and motor skills.

September – Paper Bag Puppet ‘THE RABBIT & THE TURTLE!’

Adapted by the folk tales from around the world; The Rabbit and The Turtle, today’s session is a moral stories from the arrogant rabbit versus persistence turtle. When the arrogant rabbit dares the slow moving turtle for a race, turtle agrees. Because rabbit is far ahead and confident of winning, rabbit takes a nap midway through the race. Turtle however keeps the steady pace and has arrived before him. This story emphasises that it is not OK to bully others, don’t be overly-confident and if you keep on going, you will succeed.

Students were introduced to Paper Bag Puppet; where they created an impression of their own Rabbits & Turtles. This would help encourage our students to engage in puppetry and storytelling – which would improve on their communication and social skills (speaking and listening skills) and creative skills thru imaginative and pretend play.

Learning Outcome: Knowledge, Creativity, Sensory, Imagination and Fine motor skills –draw, colour, cut & paste.

August – ‘Happy 60th Merdeka!

“Tanggal tiga puluh satu, bulan lapan, lima puluh tujuh.”

Class discussed on what is MERDEKA and what MERDEKA means to our students. Next, with the help of the late Sudirman’s golden hit, ‘Tanggal 31’ playing in the background, the students came up with a list of what they love about Malaysia and used it as a 60th birthday card for Merdeka Malaysia.

Learning outcome: instil the love and patriotism for Malaysia, awake their appreciation and senses to imbue creativity and self-expression

August - Agamograph

Today our ‘Bugs’ were introduced to Agamograph –  a series of images that change at different angles. This activity generates the idea of combining two arts in one; widening our students' creative range by exploring this new method and new approach to art.

Students were given the freedom to choose subject matters of their choice availing them some  chosen face expressions, landscapes and favourite furry animals.

Learning outcome: Introduction to Agamograph, making personal choices,  creativity, fine motor skills as well as an independence of thought and preference

August - Jalur Gemilang

It’s Merdeka this month, and what better way to spread Malaysian patriotism in children, than to introduce and immerse them in the elements of our Malaysian flag, the ‘Jalur Gemilang.' What the different colours mean and what the crescent moon and stars represent.

Today’s activity also emphasizes the art materials; introducing children to the idea of art is beyond pencil and paper alone. An opportunity for children where students can express their creativity freely, through any form and material – like today; we used bamboo sticks and Ikea photo frames.

Learning outcome: Understanding and appreciation of the Malaysian flag and patriotism, exercise and control of the eyes and hands with emphasis on concentration and patience.

July - Bottle Cap Stamping

Today our students explored a fun, yet simple printmaking technique using a recyclable item like bottle caps, yarn and paint. This printing technique is an alternative to the traditional vegetable stamping. This technique is simpler, cleaner, easier to shape, safer and a more age-appropriate (without use of knife) activity.

Beside designing their own stamps, this activity also helps our students to be bolder with colours and exercises the fundamental principles of design in particular, ‘balance, repetition and space’.

Learning Outcome: Printing Technique, Colour Exploration and Creativity

July: The Wheel: Life Cycle of the Butterfly

“All good science is art, and all good art is science” – John Fowles

Look deep and one will discover that ‘science is art’. They are similar. Both science and art are human attempts to understand and describe the world around us. Today, our art and craft class took a more science-centric approach by discussing the life cycle of a butterfly! The class discussed the four stages of the metamorphosis; from egg, caterpillar, pupa/ chrysalis to a full grown butterfly.

To help ‘drive home’ the facts, the students were tasked to assemble an illustration of the four stages in a wheel chart.

Learning Outcome: knowing the life cycle of the Butterfly, what's a wheel chart, creativity and fine motor skills

July- 'Fire Breathing Dragon'

Today’s class emphasises on creative construction thinking. An image of a craft work (Fire Breathing Dragon) was shown and based on materials available in class, students were asked to discuss the method of recreating the craft. Before picking up the materials, the students must first prepare a construction plan and a “BOM” (build of material) list; - strategic design training

Learning outcome: This activity helps develop creative thinking, reverse engineering and design planning