"I have Autism, but Autism doesn't have me."

I started this blog to share my thoughts on what is life as a stay-at-home mom. With changes that have developed and shaped our characters here on the homestead, this is now Tristan's blog (Captain's log?) about life with Autism. We will be sharing various topics, focused on Autism, ranging from the professional focus to being in the parent's seat and how every day is different from yesterday and may not come close to tomorrow. There is much to continue learning when it comes to Autism, and as a family, we are sharing our experiences along the way. Pull up a chair, learn, then go out into the world and make a difference with what you've gleaned. Knowledge is Power!

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Wednesday Creative Project

"The Artist at Work"

"An Army of Ants"


"Oh wait! Here I am before starting the project!"
Wednesday's creative project this week. Its called an "Army of Ants" and I thought this would be a fun piece to do together. Tristan wasn't too interested in the taping the piece of denim to the cardboard, as he was sifting through his markers and checking out the electrical tape I used for the project. Yet, once we got to the part where we could decorate the fabric, he was all hands on deck to do his art-which I have no issues with; besides, the cutting of cardboard, taping of fabric to the cardboard piece will come along in time. His reaction to my applying the marker to the pads of his fingers was priceless; imagine having your mom applying marker to your fingers to create "finger print bugs."
I found this project in a great book about using art to learn and work through the alphabet; the book shows to work up to four projects in one week, making it 26 weeks to work through the alphabet but I've shortened it for us here at home by working through two letters at a time and one project per letter. The book is geared for older kids, like grade school but I believe with a little modification, we can still use some of the project ideas. Listed below is the activity and the supplies needed and directions to conduct the session.
An Army of Ants
Materials:
-thick cardboard
-scissors
-scrap fabric to cover cardboard
-masking tape (or tape that you can find that will secure fabric to cardboard)
-inkpads (or washable markers)
-fine tip markers
The Creative Process:
-Cut the cardboard into an 8" x 8" square.
-Cover one side of the cardboard square with scrap fabric and secure in place with tape.
-Draw a block-style letter "A" on the cloth covered square.
-Demonstrate how to create ants by covering finger pad with washable marker, color of choice, and press it onto the tablecloth. Place two prints beside each other, touching. Add legs and antennae with the marker.
-Encourage your child to place "ants" all over his/her tablecloth.
Reference:
-Campbell, Kelly J. "Art Across the Alphabet: Over 100 Art Experiences That Enrich Early Literacy."
Looking at our bugs, I was glad we used the black marker; something tells me if we had used brown, our ants may have taken on the appearance of cockroaches-run screaming from the room, please! Of all the bugs in the insect world, those are the only creepy crawlers I absolutely can't stand-YUCK!!!!!!
Our next letter is "B" and we'll be painting with paints that begin with the letter "B." Here's to Wednesday Creative Projects! ~Mom


2 comments:

  1. Ant drawings are great! A real army of ants in our house are not great. =p We got lucky this year and didn't have any ants! Yay! =)

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  2. I tried to post something and just couldn't spell the word verification and now have to do it over...

    Just wanted to say, cute activity! Sounds like a great book. But I would have to stay away from ants because here in NW Florida, we have FIRE ants that pop up everywhere. Not fun at all.

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