Reuse Leftover Paintings

It's Scott from Brick by Brick. I love to repurpose materials—use materials in ways different from their intended purpose.

The other day I walked into my classroom and saw some painting that had been left in the room. Children left the paintings to dry and forgot to come back and get them. 

Seeing these paintings reminded me of a way we reused a painting a few years ago. We had painted a group painting. It became quite the abstract picture. We hung the painting (after drying) in our room to admire.

After a few weeks, I took the painting down. I didn't want to just toss it. So I put on my repurposing hat. I punched out circles and cut other shapes and put those shapes out with paper and glue. Children could make collages with the "painted" pieces.

When I looked through the collage box the other day, I found a group of these shapes, ready for more kids to use. 

I thought about Eric Carle, the children's book author and illustrator. He creates different textured papers. He cuts shapes and glues them onto other paper to create his illustrations. What a fun thing for children to do, too!

Whether you make painted paper for collages on purpose or just have leftover paintings from other art exploration, look for ways to repurpose and incorporate those paintings into other learning explorations. You may be helping influence the Eric Carles of the future!

Rock the Box! Roll the Marble!

It's Scott from Brick by Brick. I love to repurpose materials—use materials in ways different from their intended purpose.

Sometimes I think that I only use things for something else. I tell people that I never use things for the real purpose!

A while back I mused on how to use a box I had acquired. Well, we recently used that box (or one like it) to paint.

We used marbles, spoons, and that box together to paint.

Put the paper in the box. Drop a marble in paint. Spoon out the marble and drop on the paper. Move that box around.

We discovered that the marble would quickly lose paint. So we would drop it back into the paint and go again.

We've done a similar activity with an oatmeal box. But this is different because we can see the tracks that the marble makes, as it does it.

Grab a box, any size. Just cut down the paper to fit. And rock the box and roll the marble to paint. Rock and Roll!!

Roll and Build

It's Scott from Brick by Brick. I love to repurpose materials—use materials in ways different from their intended purpose. 

This activity is another "straight from the dumpster" activity - using something that would otherwise be trashed.

Take newspapers. Roll a few sheets together. Tape closed. Build.

Encourage kids to experiment with different ways to build.

Suggest they solve any problems they encounter.

"What could we do to help the rolls stand up?"

"The ends are rolling out. What could we do to stop that?"

To make more stable and permanent structures, use tape to attach the rolls together.

You could use pages from a old atlas or magazines instead of newspaper pages.

Or roll the newspaper on a diagonal to make longer rolls with tapered edges.

We love to build and we love to reuse materials. This activity is perfect!

(Check out my Dollar Store and Dumpster Pinterest Board for more repurpose/reuse ideas!)

CRESCENDO II! Chants & Games for Music Foundation

Ms. Brigid here, from Merit School of Music  in Chicago, IL. This month’s post offers chants and games to further develop young children’s understanding of crescendo, as well as an update on a new recycled prop I introduced in the classroom – yogurt cups! Find last month’s post on crescendo instrument and book ideas here.

CHANTS – Crescendo Circles

Loud and soft are “comparatives” that children love to explore. The space between these two

dynamic extremes are what build a crescendo  (piano<forte) or a decrescendo  (forte > piano).

For my K+ kiddos, we make “V’s” with our pointer and middle finger, the turn our hand sideways, palms out, when talking about these dynamic levels. Please notice that these symbols used in music are the same as  “less than” (<) and “greater than” (>) in visual math language.

Rain on the Green Grass

My kiddos learn the traditional verse, Rain on the Green Grass, with feet to the beat, then clap the rhythm with their hands. Oftentimes, the big gathering drum comes out so the children can play the rhythm or beat (depending on their ages and abilities) while chanting the poem.  When the words are secure, we’re ready for a crescendo circle. Review piano and forte. Define crescendo – starting at piano and getting gradually louder until forte – loud!  is achieved. Label it: Crescendo!

Rain on the green grass,

Rain on the trees,

Rain on the housetop

But not on me!

Gather all your kiddos into a tight circle, and mark the beat with your feet (Note: The words in green mark a medium beat that works well with this activity.). Chant the poem softly

Take a small step backwards, making the circle wider. Chant again – a little louder.

Repeat several times, the circle getting wider upon each repetition and voices getting louder. Do not shout.

After the final repetition, throw hands in the air, over your head, and exclaim, “Crescendo!”

NOTE: Crescendo is pronounced Creh- shen- doh.  The “sh” sound of the 2^nd syllable can be challenging for my pre-K kiddos, so before saying the word, I put my finger to my lips and say “shhhh!” I invite the children to join me. THEN we say “crescendo”  - a helpful intervention.

Mrs. Murphy’s Chowder

This is a fun and silly rhyme to share – but it will only work if the kiddos know what “overalls” are! I ask for ideas before showing them photos. “Chowder” is another word that may need explanation.  Ask kiddos to echo, using “rhythm hands” while chanting, for best results. When words are secure, repeat crescendo circle activity using the instructions for Rain.

Who put the overalls in Mrs. Murphy’s chowder?

Nobody answered, so she spoke a little louder!

These two lines came from a song written over a century ago by George L. Giefer. I was able to find an “Edison” recording from 1901(!), sung by Edward M. Favor, for your listening pleasure.

There Was A Man…

I’ve also had success with the following nursery rhyme, which I learned from my friend, Carole Peterson Stephens (Carole writes for this collaborative blog on the 16^th of every month). The chant, called “A Windy Day,” is on H.U.M. -  All Year Long!, one of her many fine CDs for the young set. H.U.M. stands for “Highy Usable Music” – and it is!

There was a man in our town

Who went on a walk one day.

The wind it blew so very hard,

It turned him the other way!

Hold hands and walk, feet to the beat, in a circle. On “way,” turn the other direction.  Voices get louder on each repetition. For K+ kiddos, I write the words and musical shorthand on the board – in Italian, the language of music).
pp           pianissimo
p             piano
mp           mezzo piano

mf           mezzo forte

f             forte

ff             fortissimo

Of course, I have been known to slip in a pianissimo and fortissimo when speaking to my younger students. Why not? They are equal opportunity learners!  Why limit Italian vocabulary only to “pizza,” “lasagna,’” “venti,” and “cappuccino?”

Lucy Locket  - Crescendo Game

Lucy Locket, sung to the tune of Yankee Doodle,  works well as a “duck-duck-goose” game, but is even more fun as a crescendo game. Sometimes this group of games go by the name “hot potato.”

NOTE: I use a small organza bag (that a piece of jewelry came in) for this game, but anything the size of a small envelope will do – even a colorful baggage tag.

Choose a “hider “and a “seeker.” Explain the rules of the game: After the “locket” is hidden, the seeker tries to find it, guided by the volume of the childrens’ voices. The louder the singing, the closer the seeker is to the locket.  Emphasize that this is for fun!

Ask the seeker to stand in the corner, with eyes averted or covered. For older kiddos, the seeker can stand outside the door of the classroom – something too scary for many of my younger kiddles. The hider places the locket where she/he chooses. The locket must be partially visible, even if it’s only a corner that’s showing. We’re planning for success, here! I check in with the rest of the students – did they see where the hider put the “locket?” If they say “yes,” we’re ready for the seeker.

The seeker leaves the corner (or returns to the room), and guided by the voices of the children, looks for the locket. The louder the singing, the closer the object. The singing starts pianissimo

and becomes fortissimo as the seeker discovers the locket. Choose two more children by whatever means is best for your classroom and repeat! Often I’ll let children chose their successors, with a boy choosing a girl or a girl choosing a boy so that one gender isn’t frozen out. It’s up to you!

BREAKING NEWS: YOGURT CUPS ROCK AS CRESCENDO INSTRUMENTS

This year, small, sterilized 6 ounce Chobani brand containers (thank you, Costco, and college-going daughter with exquiste taste) came to my 3-5 year old classrooms. Each child received two cups - one for each hand - and were encouraged to find out how many different noises could be made with them. The cups were slid on the rug, rubbed, clapped together front to front and back to back, drummed on, and more! Finally we made a long and satisfying class crescendo combining our favorite methods. I will definitely continue to experiment with their use. There is great potential for beat and rhythm exploration, and I’m looking forward to ideas for use from my students!

Thank you for joining me. Tune in next month for more musical ideas, but in the meantime, if you’re searching for seasonal songs, please revisit my post from May 2014 – one year ago! – for Spring! Songs, Chants & Apps to Welcome the Season. There’s lots of happy, seasonal treasures with signing! Happy singing and happy Spring!!

Chicago Botanic Garden.  ©2015 Brigid Finucane

Call Me For Your Professional Development!

I’d love to help your school or community blossom musically!  My specialty is music and literacy teacher training (with a dose of technology), singing games and dances from around the world, and more! If you’re local (Chicago), I’m Gateways registered and IAC approved – at least for the next three years! See my contact info below.  Please look for my workshops through Illinois Children’s Home and Aid.

For Those in the Chicago Area

…Call on Merit School of Music! Our onsite school is in the West Loop. We work in the schools throughout the area providing band, orchestra, percussion, choir, early childhood, and general music instruction with project based units including Recorder, Music and Storytelling and Songwriting. We do great work! YoYo Ma is a supporter!

Chicago Families

Chicago Botanic Garden.  ©2015 Brigid Finucane

Please come to Merit’s Storytime sessions – the 2^nd and 4^th Mondays of the month. It’s free, fun, and facilitated by singers and storytellers Amy Lowe, Irica Baurer & me. Stories and songs start at 11am, and we end with instrument exploration and family networking.  Breaking news: Storytime will continue through the summer months, so come on down!

And in the End

My posts are historically archived below. Click a link to read about Chinese New Year, Pete Seeger, Music and Literacy, Listening Locally to Musicians from the Midwest, Great Lakes and Ontario! Then Pass It On!

I am continually inspired by The Children’s Music Network (CMN) community. an international group of socially conscious musicians, educators, librarians, families, songwriters and good people, who “celebrate the positive power of music in the lives of children by sharing songs, exchanging ideas, and creating community.” Please visit CMN, and find a gathering in your region.

©2015 Brigid Finucane  * 847-213-0713 * gardengoddess1@comcast.net

http://prekandksharing.blogspot.com

http://brigidfinucane.blogspot.com

@booksinger1

Chicago Botanic Garden.  ©2015 Brigid Finucane

BLOG HISTORY

April 2015. Crescendo -And Sites to Sigh For: edWeb & CMN

March 2015. Piano and Forte! Songs and Books for Investigating Music Fundamentals

Feb.2015. Chinese New Year – Looking for Year of the Sheep & A Good Friend

Jan.2015. Multicultural Children’s Book Day - The Lions of Gir

Dec.2014. Singing a Storybook – Wintertime / A Winter’s Tale

Nov. 2014. Singing a Story – The Magic of Musical Books: Part II

Oct.2104. Singing a Story – The Magic of Musical Books: Part I

Sept. 2014. Educators Who Care, Share. Singers, Sites & Songs from the Heartland Part III: From the Midwest & Great Lakes Regions (Listening Locally)

Aug. 2014. Educators Who Care, Share. Singers, Sites & Songs – Part II: Midwest & Great Lakes (Listening Locally)          

July 2014. Educators Who Care, Share. Singers, Sites & Songs Part I: Midwest & Ontario (Listening Locally)

June 2014. Garden Lessons, Typographic Art Apps and Thank You Notes

May 2014. Spring! Songs, Chants & Apps to Welcome the Season

April 2014. Part II. Dancing, Singing & Drawing Legato and Staccato

March 2014. Part I. From “Hush Little Baby” to Yo-Yo Ma – Using Books, Apps and YouTube Videos to Introduce Legato and Staccato

Feb.2014. Pete Seeger – A Time to Thank

Jan.2014. Gung Hay Fat Choy! Stories, Books & Apps to Celebrate the Chinese New Year

Dec.2013. Singing Time! Embracing Appadiction

More Than Shreds of Fun

It's Scott from Brick by Brick. I love to repurpose materials—use materials in ways different from their intended purpose. 

I really love to use things that would otherwise be thrown away -- being purposeful and resourceful and keeping things out of the dumpster. This activity is certainly one of those.

We made bottle collages with shredded paper and water bottles. The basic resources for this fun exploration are things that would be discarded anyway. 

Clean and dry your bottles before using.

This shredded paper was leftover meeting materials. But you could shred bulk mail or any paper that was no longer needed. 

Or how about shredding old artwork - abandoned drawing or paintings that no one wants. Shred that colorful paper and use it in a new art experience.

Or shred construction paper scraps or other leftover paper from around the classroom. Purchase scrapbook paper from the dollar store or a garage sale and shred it.

Kids can stuff the bottles with as much or as little paper as they choose. We added stickers on the outside of the bottles, too.

You could add letters or words or small pictures to hide in the shredded paper. Then you have a different kind of "I Spy" bottle.

No matter how you shred it or stuff it, our kids had a great time exploring this activity. And at a cost of next to nothing. 

That's why I love repurposing, reusing, and recycling!

Seeing Possibilities

Hi! It's Scott from Brick by Brick. I love to repurpose materials—use materials in ways different from their intended use.

Recently we had fun using cups and pet food containers for art. We used them for stamping.

Press a cup into the ink and stamp circles. We were thinking and talking about families, so I encouraged kids to use the circles as faces. 

Some did. Some didn't. 

But exploring and using the cups and small bowls with the ink pads was a fun and creative experience.

So often we get locked into ways to use things. I do this even with my repurposed materials. We use things this way.

But letting a little creativity and a little "out of the box" thinking can encourage lots of new possibilities.

I hope as you work with preschoolers, kindergartners, or any young children, you open up to possibilities. Place a few items on a table and encourage the kids to think of what to do with them. Place a few unusual items in the block center. Paint with something other than a brush.

We are living in a quickly changing world. Thinking in new and different ways is (and will be) a valuable skill. 

Encourage new and different thinking. Even if that's just putting paper cups and ink pads on a table and seeing what happens.

(My favorite ink pads - ones that will totally wash off hands, arms, etc. with soap - are from Discount School Supply. I get nothing from that company. Just wanted you to know about these great ink pads.)

Dollar Store Water Play

Hi! It's Scott from Brick by Brick. I love to repurpose materials—use materials in ways different from their intended purpose. Repurposing, reusing, and recycling are important for the world and are great ways to have fun resources for little or no cost.

One of my favorite places to shop is the dollar store. A few weeks ago we enjoyed water play. Everything that we used in the water is from the dollar store...or the dollar shelves at Target (also a favorite shopping spot!).

Our favorite new addition - the colander. It makes rain when you dip it into the water! Funnels, measuring cups, and plastic storage containers complete our water play tools.

You could also get these items from the kitchen area of a thrift store or a bargain store. Kids love anything that they can use to scoop and pour water.

(And add words or pictures under the water play container--if it's transparent or translucent--so kids can talk about those things, too. Make use of every opportunity!)

What are your favorite things to use with water?

Leftovers

Happy Thanksgiving (well, day after)! It's Scott from Brick by Brick. I love to repurpose materials—use materials in ways different from their intended purpose. Repurposing, reusing, and recycling are important for the world and are great ways to have fun resources for little or no cost.

Since it's the day after Thanksgiving, I'm thinking about leftovers. Do you ever have leftovers in your classroom? What can you do with things left over? Here are a few ideas.

I had leftover white paper scraps. I had cut paper into shapes for an activity and just couldn't toss the pieces away. So I dropped them into a ziplock bag and kept them. Several months later, I put the odd-shaped paper out with tape, stickers, and manila paper. Kids had a great time taping and creating.

We did a group painting. The abstract art hung in our room for a while. Then I punched out circles and cut triangles and we used it in our collage art. I still have pieces of that painting in my collage box. This is a great way to use old paintings or drawings that are ready to go. Don't toss them; cut them up! (The collage box is a great place for all kinds of leftovers from art explorations.)

We made books one day. (Just strips of manila paper stapled together on one end.) We had several leftover blank books, so I tossed them in our writing box. Those books appear occasionally; one just appeared this week. I often toss different paper leftovers into the writing box for kids to use. I also use leftover notepads or other odds and ends into the writing box. Kids love to write on all kinds of things.

Of course, we have a basket that always stays out in the kindergarten classroom. Paper scraps go there all the time. The paper will just stay there for a long time, waiting for the right time and the right use. Kids use those leftovers for all kinds of things.

What do you do with your leftovers?

Rocky Teaching

Hi! It's Scott from Brick by Brick. I love to repurpose materials—use materials in ways different from their intended purpose. Repurposing, reusing, and recycling are important for the world and are great ways to have fun resources for little or no cost.

Some teaching resources may be just lying around. Use rocks and other natural materials in your classroom. Here are some ways we've used rocks.

We investigate them. Add magnifying glasses, rulers, paper, and pencils. Kids can look, sketch, and note their observations.

We build with them. Add rocks and other nature materials to your blocks center. Let the kids decide how to use them.

Or "build" and create with them without blocks. Sometimes basic materials encourage creative thinking in different ways.

We count with them. Use rocks as counters in games. Or just on counting mats. You can count sticks, flower petals, leaves, or other natural items.

We weigh them. Just a scale and the rocks can provide lots of investigation.

We find them in sand. Sometimes I'll print letters or words on the rocks with a permanent marker. Sometimes we just find and sort the rocks.

We spell with them. Print letters (or words) on paper. Kids can outline the letters with rocks. You can also outline shapes or just lines, working on fine motor skills.

Use rocks as game markers. 

Use rocks in your art explorations. 

Use small rocks in homemade shakers. 

What ways do you use rocks and other natural materials?

Repurpose Old Technology

Hi! It's Scott from Brick by Brick. I love to repurpose materials—use materials in ways different from their intended purpose. Repurposing, reusing, and recycling are important for the world and are great ways to have fun resources for little or no cost.

In today's world, we have lots of outdated technology. New devices are always coming out; upgrade and you have old technology lying around. Repurpose some of that for your kids to use.

If you have upgraded (or just quit using) a computer or laptop, allow your kids to use it. We have an old laptop that has basic word processing software. Occasionally we will bring the laptop to the classroom and allow kids to type on it. 

When we first did this, I thought the kids would want to type their names or other words they knew. No. They just wanted to type and type and type. Make the font large enough so kids can see what they are doing (around 24 pt or so).

If you have a laptop or computer that doesn't work at all, bring it anyway and let kids use it in their play. I watched a child type and type on a keyboard for 10 minutes or more.

Note that the keyboard is just lying on the table...not connected to anything. She had a great time. Then the keyboard became a part of the kids store play (which is what I had intended originally).

Or use a box to create your own display. Punch a hole in the back and insert the keyboard cord into the box. You can even print messages and tape to the box if you want words displayed.

Bring old landline telephones for kids to use. My kids like using the phones with cords. Provide lots of notepads and pencils. Kids like to take notes.

(Note: If you bring old cell phones, make sure the batteries are removed. Cell phones will still dial 911, even if there is no service plan.)

You could even bring old radios, clocks, and other items for kids to take apart. Make sure you have a place to put all those small pieces that come out. (I love this post from Irresistible Ideas for Play Based Learning - taking apart clocks.)

How have you incorporated old technology into your classroom?