October - Pop Art Portraiture!

Today's lesson was yet another interesting exercise for our Bugs! We combined the techniques of portraiture drawing with elements of ‘Pop Art’. Drawing self-portraiture helps our Bugs understand the difference between ‘drawing by reference’ and ‘drawing by imagination’. Using their photos as reference, our Bugs were tasked to create their own self-drawing. The colourful POP Art element added the extra fun to the activity; giving each more space to elevate their own creativity through colours and shades.

Learning outcome: Techniques in self-portraiture, building self-confidence, exercising the elements of line, shape and value.

September - Sarawak: Culture and Art alive!

The Terabai Iban or Perisai Sarawak -  an armor shield captured our  interest. Various shields were  used for protection by the Borneo people namely Iban, Bidayuh, Dayak, Kenyah, Kelabit and Kayan warriors when Sarawak was known as the "Land of Headhunters" and piracy was rampant till the 20th Century.  

These days the Terabai shields are decorative items sought after by tourists as souvenirs and gifts, and are talking points when found in local homes. 

The Bugs were introduced to the art in decorating  the Terabai, and in their own way created what they would like to see on a shield of their own.

  

Learning Outcome: Knowing the shield Terabai, its use then and now; the characteristics of its shape, form and design; and the individual's creative  work on a Terabai.

September - Indian Art - Rangoli

Rangoli (also known as Kolam) is an art form from India. The patterns are created using materials such as colored rice, dry flour, colored sand or flower petals.

In Malaysia, Rangoli usually visible in homes, hotels, shopping malls and corporate buildings during Diwali (Deepawali), Onam, Pongal and other Indian festivals.The Rangoli does not just serve as a decoration but is supposed to calm and comfort a visitor putting him at ease and happy to enter the building and is believed to bring luck the occupants.

Our Bugs were thrilled by the introduction to Rangoli, the vibrant colours and the significance and symbols in the art form.

Yet another lesson learnt on the culture and practice of our fellow Malaysians, the children excitedly experimenting the two-tone colouring technique on their Rangoli; applying splashes of attractive colours and designs on paper - a proud testament of their understanding of the lesson!

Learning Outcome: Rangoli, its design and significance; another Malaysian cultural practice; select colouring technique

September - Chinese art - Bamboo Plant

In conjunction with celebrating the Malaysia Months (August – Merdeka, September – Malaysia Day), the class continued to focus on activities in the arts and humanities by emphasizing Multi-cultural Malaysia through art.

This week, Chinese art was chosen, and our students were taught the basics of creating Bamboo Plant painting using Chinese brush and ink. The bamboo plant was explained as a plant that represented longevity, resilience, and a sought-after resource today.

Learning outcome: Learning Chinese Art, nurturing a culturally aware generation and inspires creativity characteristic of a multi-cultural Malaysia.

September - Wash your hands!

Art is about expressing a message, and a message can be expressed through art. Our Bugs were put through a questioning session on why parents and guardians insist we wash our hands so very often in a day. It was a lesson on bacteria and virus and how they made us sick. How to wash one's hands thoroughly the right way.

And to ensure the take home message to wash their hands often stayed, the children were given a fun time pasting on the choice of bacteria or virus on to cut outs of their own hands!!! Can they forget to wash their hands???

Learning outcome: Wash hands often and how to do it well, bacteria and viruses, individual expression of a message through art.

August - Jalur Gemilang - our Nation's Pride and Identity!

Knowing the history, designer, year of conception and progress of designs leading to the birth of our Jalur Gemilang brings us closer to nurturing national fervor and unity in the young.

Our bugs came away wiser with the knowledge of the representation of colours, stripes and designs of the national flag.

To set the Jalur Gemilang 'waving' and in motion, the children were taught the technique of 'raising a flying' flag aided by the technique of shading.

Learning Outcome: knowledge of the history and birth of the Jalur Gemilang and it's representations, the art of presenting the flag in motion through shading and instil a sense of unity, pride and love for our Malaysia.

August - Best Friends Forever (BFF)

Today the class was introduced to a group of "best friends" who are of multi-ethnic and multi-cultural origins living together peacefully in Malaysia.

The Bugs went about making dolls representing the 3 major races of Malaysia, each unique in their respective identities and cultural composition.

Through the exercise aimed at fostering interracial harmony, integration and unity - all vital ingredients for the success of our multiracial Malaysia, their toy making skills surfaced.

Learning outcome: awareness of our unique Malaysian multi-ethnicity, a reinforcement of unity in diversity, and skill in toy making with special attention to details.

August - Malaysian Map!

Most Malaysians learn as young children about the 'Jalur Gemilang'(Malaysian Flag), but the 13 states and 3 federal territories that make up our beautiful country comes a bit later on. We start early at Krafteebug, so in addition to a great lesson in patriotism, from a practical stand point the sooner children are familiar with our 13 states the better.

This is done by the awareness and recognition of the shape of each state on the map, as well as the predominant colour they can be identified by. A quick lesson in geography, patriotism and art - win win!

Learning outcome: the map of Malaysia, instil patriotism and creativity.

July - Perspective!

Perspective drawing is a way of showing space, depth and distance in art. To understand the lesson better, the class was in the outdoors to view and observe real subject matters, observing size comparison between two cars, trees and row of houses.

The class had a fair understanding and response to the subject. This was seen as they transferred their new-found knowledge onto their drawings. Some expressed their understanding of perspective in trees and buildings while others expressed in sketches of a line-up of their favourite themes.

Learning outcome: Introduction to perspective and drawing, landscape art and creativity.

July - Cubism

Cubism was an art movement pioneered by art legends, Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque. In Cubism, artists began to look at subjects in new ways in an effort to depict three-dimensions on a flat canvas.

Today, our Bugs were introduced to the art of Cubism. The class emphasised on geometrical patterns, combination of bright and vivid colours and techniques in ‘colouring within the lines’. 

Introducing muti-art styling at a young age opens the door to creativity, provides a new set of knowledge and skills for self-expression.

The end result was a kaleidoscope of colours and impressive maiden attempt that can only be credited to the young and uninitiated

Learning outcome: Introduction to Cubism, Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque, art style and creativity

July - Prop Art

Fun Photo stick props was this week’s theme! Using card, markers, masking tape and wooden chopsticks, our Bugs were tasked to create not one, but TWO photo stick props!! They had lots of fun cruising through the process; idea searching, sketching, colouring, cutting and pasting. The end-results were off the charts!

Learning outcome: Promotes innovation and creativity, develop fine motor skills, encourages originality and self-expression and FUN ! FUN! FUN!.

July - Hot Air Balloon

Hot Air Balloon: Collage - the technique in art production to visually assemble different forms to create a new whole. The subject matter chosen was 'colourful hot air balloon'. Our Bugs were tasked to decorate and design their hot air balloon with the coloured papers given, using 'cut and paste' method.

There are many benefits to the cut and paste activity, including independent movements of each finger, strengthens hand muscles, bilateral coordination skills (two-handed coordination), Visual motor skills (eye-hand coordination), Visual perceptual tasks (directional), Focus and attention. It is also a good activity to build and improve patience in our Bugs.

Learning Outcome: what is collage, precision, neatness, play of colours and completeness of end product, motor skills

June - Forky

Anticipating the latest Toy Story franchise, today the class created their version of Forky; using the same materials as Bonnie in the kindergarten scene (‘spork’, googly eyes, pipe cleaners, ice cream sticks and clay). Class started with a short introduction to Forky from the Toy Story 4’s movie trailer.

Next, without guide or instructions, they had to recreate and improvise Forky using the materials given.

Today’s activity encouraged the process and idea of replicating a cartoon character, creatively improvising a subject matter and promoting ‘make instead of buy’.

Learning outcome: Puppet/ Toy making, Recycling, Problem Solving (model making) and Creativity

June - Dream Catcher

The Dream Catcher was the Bugs' project this week.

Portrayed as the symbol to 'catch' and a hold on to your dreams, the wire and colourful rope craft can double up to catch the sun's rays in your window or as a hanging mobile in the home.

Our bugs were guided through the process of first making a frame of their choice. Thereafter they were shown how to secure lengths of various coloured knitting wool on to the frame, weaving them into a kaleidoscope of colours with a peek-a-boo effect.

Learning outcome: Dream catcher- its symbol and use, working and experimenting new materials; wire frames, shapes and sizes, securing lengths of wools, and the weaving process, and knowing the centre of gravity and balance

June – Spinning Top Colour Mixer

After 2 weeks hiatus, the Bugs were back with another fun Kraftee Bugs’ Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths (STEAM) - themed activity; A Spinning Top Colour Mixer!

This week’s ‘challenge’ required our Bugs to design their own patterns with minimum usage of 2 colours onto a paper plate. Once completed, a short bamboo stick was sent through the centre-point ...and viola! each had a spinning top! Our Bugs then experienced and observed the wonderful effect of their design and the mixture of colours when their 'tops' spin!

Learning outcome: An art-science activity showing the effect of colour mixing using motion (spinning), toy making and creative learning.

May - 3D Handprint

3D Handprint is a fun art exercise to understand the basic elements of design such as lines, contours and colours.

You cannot imagine how much fun one can get out of just turning hands themselves into a work of art!

Its easy yet an awesome project and good activity to while away time. The finished work can be turned into a greeting card, a wall art, a hanging mobile, a place-mat, a book cover....the ideas are infinite and all up to one's creativity!

Learning outcome: fun, elements of basic art, imagination, colour choices

May - Aidil Fitri Greetings!

In this age of digital technology, nothing beats the warmth of receiving a handmade greeting card! With the festivities and holidays that come soon with Hari Raya, we took the Bugs through creating their very own greeting card - a window pop-up card!

The project generated several interesting ideas and inspired our little ones to 'make   instead of buy’, showing how a touch of creativity can spice up an otherwise common greeting card.

For added excitement and anticipation, the cards will be posted this year to revive the experience of traditional mail - a soon to be forgotten practice....

Learning Outcome: Raya thematic expressions, window Pop-up card making, understanding motifs, exercise in composition, show of creativity and self-expression, and receipt of mail.

May - What’s the time now?

A study in 2017 finds most children in this digital age struggling to read analog clocks. Knowing how to tell time is a very important skill. Being able to tell time by looking at a traditional clock is essential to understanding other things like time zones and international times as well. Learning how to tell time can also help kids with their motor and cognitive skills as well as mathematical skills.

Today our students were taught the basics of reading an analog clock.To reiterate the topic, a wide range of materials available in the class were given to our Bugs to design their own clock face type, complete with the hour and minute hands. They came up with their very own unique version of the analog clock to proudly call their own

Learning outcome: Reading analog clocks, cognitive skills and individual creativity

May - Do Not Litter!

Save the Environment!!!Pollution of the air, pollution of water and pollution of the soil - our Bugs were given a lesson on how they can in their small way keep our environment clean by first adopting ....'Do not litter'

To help our little ones understand better about pollution, they were first shown a video on what is pollution, the 3 types of pollution and how it deprives the environment of life forms and living organisms. Encouraging our little Bugs to embark on their first initiative of protecting the environment, we taught them poster art to build awareness.  They were given the choice to select their subject matter and use the medium of water colours or crayons to bring out the message.

The class ended with each of them championing the cause and speaking up for it. 

Learning Outcome: Pollution, the types and outcome; 'Do not litter as a first initiative through poster art; building self-confidence to speak up for what they champion.

April - I CAN DRAW!

There were few occasions when my students complained, ”I can’t/ don’t know how to draw”. This ‘problem’ is also that of most adults who somehow have the notion of an ‘inability to draw’ creeping in due to a lack of self confidence and peer pressure.

Today’s lesson was more on confidence building; reversing some of the negative beliefs and finding joy in the process of creating art and not focusing so much on the outcome.

Learning outcome: build self confidence, skills enhancement in tracing technique, visual judgement, placements and composing line, shapes and tones.

April - Our Solar System

The Solar System up close! What better way to educate children on the marvel of the Universe than through art?

Our bugs were taken on a 'journey into space' today, familiarizing themselves with 8 other planets in relation to that we all live on - Earth.

There was an air of excitement and wonderment as they were guided through making representations of the solar system

with paper, scissors, colours, and glue.

Learning outcome: the solar system, size, distance and space, colour choice

April - ART IN CULTURE : Wau Bulan

Art plays an important role in our multicultural Malaysia. Learning and Understanding cultural art promotes knowledge, appreciation, integration and tolerance in our Malaysian society. Today, our Bugs were introduced to the traditional art - the ‘Wau Bulan’ or famous Malaysian moon kite. Class started with a brief introduction to the "Wau" and its parts. Next, they were guided step-by-step on constructing first the frame, leading eventually to the completed kite with its head, wing, waist and tail.

Learning outcome: Wau-making and its parts, its history and cultural significance and the embodiment of art form

April - Value-Shading

Our bugs j-u-s-t LOVE to play with colours, and who wouldn't? After all, we are surrounded by a world of beautiful colours! So, to pique their interest further, we took our Bugs through the colouring technique of Tone-shading. They were introduced to how shading can add value to the subject ....giving it dimensions as in heights, depths, size, distance and direction of light source. So, what can be a downright ordinary subject or object came to life with the application of Value-shading. Learning outcome: knowledge of Value-shading with colours, awareness of dimensions, direction of light source, and attention to details

March - The Colour Wheel : Primary, Secondary..and Tertiary

The foundation to colour sense, limitless creativity and infinite joy - the Colour Wheel was introduced to our Bugs.

The 'newbies' were taken on a crawl learning what are primary and secondary colours and having a whale of a time splashing with them. The 'seniors' gravitated towards working with tertiary colours ...the wonders of which thrilled them! Nonetheless 'seniors' also got a refresher on primary and secondary colours as well. The Colour Wheel never fails to amaze...

Learning Outcome: The Colour Wheel, and the basics of primary, secondary and tertiary colours, lots of fun and messing around.

March - The Rule of Three

‘Beauty is in the eye of the beholder’.

Art is created for beauty and emotion to be appreciated and interpreted  by individuals through sights,  feelings, preferences and  tastes to form an opinion. Simply explained, ‘art is subjective’.  Presentation and interpretation of ‘Beauty’ is a never ending argument.

Today our Bugs were introduced to a colouring technique , “The Rule of Three”; where it promotes and emphasizes the idea of colour blending and mixing in a simple subject - the apple ;  one of the ways to enhance creativity and increase the aesthetic value in their artwork.

Learning outcome: Explore new colouring technique, appreciation of a simple everyday subject,  creativity and fine motor skills

March - My Desktop Organizers

 AND you thought toilet and kitchen roll inserts are discards, and at best for the recycle dump?

WAIT....see how the Bugs have fashioned them into functional  organizers for desks, table and counter tops....each carrying a personal statement of themselves.

This week's lesson was on recyclables and their unlimited potential in art and use at home.

Taking on the safe and unassuming toilet and kitchen roll inserts, the Bugs were shown how with a touch of paint, imagination and focus on utility, can inject life and purpose into the  inconspicuous discard to take individual pride of place in the home.

Learning Outcome: Recyclables and their revived functions, desk and counter top organisers, shapes and sizes,  and creativity with colours

March - Malayan Tapir

The Malayan Tiger is our "gem", but we have another that we, Malaysians are proud of – the Malayan Tapir.  Today we discussed the five interesting facts of this unique animal; our small contribution in bringing awareness to how the soon-to-be extinct animal needs attention. We want to ensure that the Tapir does not just disappear from the face of the earth or from our consciousness.

The class started with a brief on the 5 facts, continuing into a step-by-step guide to draw a tapir. Next, to further emphasise the subject and our student’s creativity, focus and patience were put to the test.  They were required to complete a black and white collage of a Tapir.

Learning outcome: Awareness and Knowledge of Animal extinction and the Malayan Tapir, Creativity, Sensory, Imagination, Fun and Fine motor skills.

February - Sunset Painting

"I dream my painting and then paint my dream" V.Van Gogh

Today we explored painting! The class started with explaining the basic tools of painting; starting with painting brush, palette, colours and the use of water. Next, we delved into the technical by introducing the basic paint strokes. With the knowledge gained, our Bugs were guided to create a sunset painting.

Learning Outcome: Basic knowledge and techniques on water colour painting, mixing of colours, sunset painting.

February - Name Art

2019 kicked-off with a subject matter that is very dear to our students; their ‘name’!

Today's activity is to acknowledge the child's need to express individuality and personality, a sense of pride and achievement and to showcase their creative preferences in colours, style and form.

Learning outcome: Expression of Individuality and personality, Creativity exercise and sense of pride and accomplishment