August - Merdeka Paper Bag

Paper-folding or Origami literally translates into 'ori'(folding) and ‘gami’ (paper). Research shows paper-folding has many educational benefits mainly in developing behavioural skills, cooperative learning, cognitive development and helps in the learning of mathematics, particularly in geometry and spatial visualization abilities.

Today our bugs explored this beautiful art by creating paper bags from scratch. Next, they were asked to decorate the paper bag, according to the month’s theme – ‘Merdeka’.

This activity engaged our students in schematic play; which is a powerful learning process for young children, exercise creativity and teaching children to listen and follow directions.  

Learning outcome:  paper bag making, practice of origami and creativity

August : Merdeka Composition

August is the Merdeka month!!! What better time to foster and instill Malaysian patriotism and nationalistic spirit in children. 

Today’s activity centres around composition where our Bugs were first tasked to colour a series of Malaysian icons such as the Jalur Gemilang, KL Tower, KLCC etc. Next, using the icons, they were guided to arrange the icons on a piece of paper, exploring the art and skills of composition as in identifying focal points, visual balancing and experimenting the elements that complement each other.

Today’s exercise also focused on colouring technique; stirring up a livelier effect with the application of light and dark.

Learning outcome: Instilling patriotism, exercise in composition and visual arrangements; as well as developing colouring technique.

July - Wayang Kulit

'Wayang kulit' or shadow play, a royal court entertainment before and then a popular traditional entertainment in northeast peninsular Malaysia is soon to be a forgotten art form if efforts are not continued to preserve it. With similarities to puppetry, it re-enacts history, folklore of heroes and heroines and stories real and imagined.

Today's lessons hope to rekindle the child's imagination through play and art. Students crafted their own "wayang kulit" character and as part of public speaking exercise, they were asked to tell a short story based on that character.

Learning outcome: Wayang Kulit making, story telling, character design and creativity development

July - Blow Painting

Creativity is not about just being able to paint perfectly but to also work with paints. It is about experimenting with new things, being careless, getting messy, learning about what works and what doesn’t, and more importantly - having FUN! Today our activity was just that – EXPLORING! The adventure began with first putting drops of watercolour on paper. Our Bugs then gently blew the drops around using straws. As the drops of paint move, they left an uneven trail of paint and colours...so creating an abstract effect. The different colours used brought about fusion and blend of vibrant shades. There were squeals of excitement and joy all around, watching how masterpieces emerged.

Learning Outcome: Exploring colour blending and fusion, blow painting, movement, patience, precision, imagination, fine motor skills and creativity.

 

July - Watercolour: Depth and Distance.

Art is all about exploring creatively; a tool to help one's express our senses in various media and forms.
Today, our bugs explored another adventure in art - the technique of creating depth and distance in a watercolour landscape. Our bugs learnt how to differentiate and create visuals of distance by using a splash of graduating colour tones and a basic knowledge of perspective.

Learning outcome: creating depth and distance in an art work, the use and understanding of light and dark toned colours, and techniques with water colour.

July - Contour Art

Krafteebug IS BACK, and Contour Art is the lesson of the day!

After a long hiatus, Contour Art was chosen to ease students back into exercising their eye-hand-mental coordination for creative output. Students were shown a sample of what is to be done and how...with precision and patience. They were then encouraged to make their choice of subject matter, be it flora, fauna, insect or the abstract ....carefully coming up first with the body and then working on the contours and clever use of colours to bring the subject to life.

Learning Outcome: precision, patience, clarity and clever use of colours

May - Mother's Day

Mother’s Day is around the corner! The class started with a discussion on “why my mom is the best!”. Fascinatingly the Bugs gave wonderful answers! To name a few - “because my mom gave birth to me", "mom bought me Lego", "cooks the best nasi goreng” and many more!

But what was interesting about today’s activity was how the Bugs 'took over' the class. Initially, the task was to create a Mother’s Day card but somehow, in the spirit of ‘freedom in creativity’, the Bugs were allowed to creatively come up with their own concept of a Mother’s Day gift. A few came up with abstract handprints - messy but with swell outcome especially in fostering curiosity and experimentation, stimulating imagination and created understanding of the senses.

The main objective is to instil in our Bugs the spirit of giving, encourage showing of appreciation towards loved ones and the idea of making gifts instead of buying.

Learning outcome: Express creativity, encourage self-made, crafted gifts instead of acquiring commercial ones.