COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL
Example Three: Three Bears’ Beds
During “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” units, I
often have the children make large bed sculptures.
The beds are often made from thick, flat pieces of
cardboard. On day one, make Papa Bear’s bed (too
hard), using paint and glitter. On day two, make
Mama Bear’s bed (too soft), using packing pillows,
pom-poms, feathers, or similar materials with col-
ored glue. On day three, make Baby Bear’s bed (just
right), using felt, fur, and soft items with colored
glue. The children have a great time with this activity.
creative and authentic art 61
Large Sheets of Cardboard
Large sheets or pieces of cardboard make an ex-
cellent canvas for painting or other various proj-
ects. The best part is they are free! You could put a
large flat sheet of cardboard on a tabletop, against
an easel, or along a fence. Another idea is to use
large sheets from a cardboard box not yet cut down.
We did this project during our construction unit
while the “workers” were learning about the job of
carpenters and painting a wall. It was a three-day
project. We cut out one side of the large box, leav-
ing a trifold structure that could stand on its own.
The children were able to paint it using big brushes
and rollers. They began to have their own ideas and
added crayons and carpenter pencils.
A “bed” for Mama Bear
Example Four: Miscellaneous Box
and Cardboard Sculptures
Sometimes wonderful and spontaneous child-
inspired art is the best! A plan is not essential.
Simply put out the materials and watch the cre-
ativity and excitement begin! For instance, offer
the children a flat box, along with cardboard tubes,
masking tape, colored tape, and colored glue with
brushes. On the second and third days, put out
squeeze bottles full of glue and more tape and see
what happens!
Large cardboard painting with rubber brayers
Rollers on large cardboard
COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL