All The Faces

Many parts make a whole....

In our exploration of our faces we learned that many body parts make up one whole face. We also found that we have many similarities and differences. Though we each have the same body parts (two eyes, two ears, a nose and a mouth), those facial features differ from one person to another. This is how we are all similar and yet also very unique-looking individuals.

Using various objects, we found how each component of our face could be represented with an everyday item. A key could be a nose. Leaves could represent eyes. A curly piece of wire kinda looks like a smile. “I’m going to use these for my rosy cheeks,” one person giggled while placing pink buttons on each side of her nose.

 

While picking out objects to represent each part of our face, we were also very observant. One individual chose moss for her hair instead of using pine straw because “pine straw isn’t curly and my hair is very curly!” Some used blue glass beads for their blue eyes and round rocks for their round noses. There was a lot of attention in the details of our portraits. All of these loose parts  and unique features connect to create something amazing and completely one of a kind: our faces.

Faces of Clay....

When exploring a theme with several mediums, it's very likely things will get a little messy. But messy is good. Messy is fun. Messy is uninhibited discovery. Using clay is that kind of messy. After fiddling around with it, we started molding the chunks of clay into familiar forms. Squishing this part could make an ear. Rolling out another piece could make some eyes. As with our previous activity, we created each individual facial feature and then added it to our clay faces. Using clay added a new element to our portraits. Our faces started looking “more like us,” one person exclaimed.

Express yourself....

After studying our faces for a few weeks, one person noticed that their face looked very different when they felt sad. He wanted to draw himself looking sad so that whoever looked at his portrait would know exactly how he felt. This discovery lead into a class discussion about how we can tell someone is feeling a certain emotion by looking at their face.

Our preschoolers are very good at identifying happy faces. And when they see a sad face, they are quick to ask if there is anything they can do to help the individual. Our class is full of empathetic and supportive friends. The children were invited to look at their own faces in the mirror, and to evoke different emotions so they could draw themselves and their various feelings.

“This is my Christmas face” one child exclaimed while drawing a self portrait of her being happy and excited.

 

While we are all very good at drawing happy faces (cause we are a classroom full of happy kids), other emotions are a bit more challenging and gave us another opportunity to explore. “When I feel sad, I cannot smile,” one person.

It all started with one sad ghost.....

Our exploration of faces doesn't stop when activity is over. More often than not, once an idea is planted, it continues to grow in other unexpected and wonderful ways. Though we were creating self portraits through clay and loose parts, we couldn't help but continue to draw up faces in our free time.

One of our students scribbled out a very sad ghost. This pouty poltergeist sparked new inspiration into everyone and soon there were dozens of drawings. Silly ghosts. Mad ghosts. Happy ghosts. So many emotions being expressed!! We found that our pictures became so much more alive when adding an emotion to our characters. Peaceful mermaids. Mad monsters. Happy families. Silly self portraits. Our wall quickly filled up with many expressive characters. And all because of a drawing of one little sad ghost.

Parent Portraits at our open house....

You have wandered in wonder around our classroom and now find yourself at this table. We invite you to pick up a pencil and draw your own portrait to add to our walls.

If  you find this a little scary, not to worry! Your child can assist in making sure you have all the right facial features and expression. They have become experts at drawing very expressive pictures!

Our open house was a huge success! 

Thanks to all the parents who attended.