As an art teacher, I follow a lot of art education blogs. Some of the ideas that I find I use with my students, some with my kids, and some with both! This idea I used with Gracie last night, and intend to use with my Autistic students this school year. It will be my first year working with small groups of special needs kids, so I have been on the lookout for great projects that will help with the skills we are trying to cultivate in them. I looked for the original post for this idea, but couldn't find it. So I guess I'll tell you the steps that we took to create these awesome marbeled papers.
UPDATE: I found the original post! Check here for Miss Rachel's post.
First, spray some shaving cream into a tray.
Add a few drops of food coloring or liquid watercolors. The original blog suggested using only two colors, but I really like the ones we did with all three primary colors (red, yellow, and blue). You will get a rainbow effect with the primary colors mixing into secondary colors (orange, green, and purple).
Use whatever you want to create swirls and other patterns in the shaving cream. I tried using a comb, and it got a bit jumbled. If you have a lower edge to your tray that would probably work great. For Gracie, I just had her use her finger. She's a pretty hands-on girl, she'd probably just throw the comb and dive in with her fingers anyway!
Lay your paper on the shaving cream and smooth it onto the cream. I used regular computer printing paper and it worked fine. Peal the paper off of the shaving cream, and scrape the shaving cream off of the paper right away. I started trying to scrape it off with cardstock but quickly learned it is much easier to just use my hand! Here are our four completed masterpieces:
Every year our church takes advantage of our amazing surroundings through an all-church picnic. Instead of having four services, we have one outdoor service, a believer's baptism, and picnic. It's always a wonderful time, and yesterday was no exception. I brought the girls with Grandma.
Some of the kids near us were climbing the trees, but Gracie was just a little too small to join in, so Grandma helped her sit in a tree. Then, of course, Bee needed a turn.
Dancing to the wonderful worship music.
Playing with a friend of ours. Gracie was chasing her with her hands on her mouth like big teeth and growling. They had lots of fun!
Gracie spent some time chasing a little butterfly around. Luckily, it did get away at the end!
Grandma brought a stroller umbrella that Gracie danced around with for a while.
Sitting back, relaxing, enjoying her hot dog.
Last week we visited Dora one last time for the year. This time we were able to bring some friends with! An old friend of mine now works there and left us 100 points for the rides! We had a great day together riding and visiting with each other.
