We shared a new book in the Atelier. We Are All Dots: A Big Plan for a Better World incorporates the classroom mantra of Welcoming and the value of community. With a classroom intention on perspective-taking, we began the discussion on what it means to be part of a whole. We focused questions around:
- How does one small dot/thing contribute to the bigger world?
- How are we a part of the bigger picture?
We took this as an opportunity to introduce the technique of Pointillism – because each small part makes a whole representation- and introduce new oil paint pens on a Plexiglass surface. Using unusual materials helps to slow the process and notice different responses from familiar materials.
Using our previous experience with shadows and our interests in succulents, we traced a projected shadow of a succulent onto the Plexi.
The children patiently waited while they connected the outline with pencil around the table of seated friends. Referencing the succulent, the group agreed on the color scheme and together they worked with the oil paint pens to begin the representation of the plant. The new surface of the Plexi was slippery and the first attempts of a dot were not as easy as expected for the children.
When it was Moss’ turn, he paused and said, “I can’t do it.” The group encouraged him to try.
He was quiet for a minute and then said, “One spot for a dot.” The group joined and started to chant. “One spot for a dot. One spot for a dot”. Moss smiled and he brought the marker to the surface and contributed to the community piece.
The group shared a joyous moment and, just like in the book, recognized the value of including each other in our experiences.
Reflecting on the work, Kirby added, “I know the name of this, Pointillism. Me and Olivia took an art class and learned about an artist.”
Cindy: “What can you share with the group?”
Kirby: “He painted the Eiffel Tower. I don’t remember his name.”
Cindy: “Could it be Georges Seurat?”
Kirby shook her head and we did some research online to find the image she remembered.
Ennio: looking at the Eiffel Tower, “Wow, he used probably a thousand dots.”
Kirby: “He was happy when he saw his work.”
Ennio: “I’m happy with ours.”
Cindy: “What makes you happy?”
Ennio: “Because we did it together.”
The children like to paint with dots as a representation that holds not only an image of a favorite succulent but the relationship between friends drawn longer in time and exploration together.