Light Tables

Our classroom light table is a beloved activity due to the variety of objects and even subject matter I offer the children. Collecting objects like lace doilies, clear swizzle sticks, glass gems, and any other objects that will allow light to pass through is the key to success. I see it as a dynamic extension to our loose parts curriculum that teaches art design which is dominant in my blog posts here. This is intriguing for a person of any age to do as many of my original works are.

An extension to our fall study is brilliant with a simple addition of a cut paper tree.

The greatness of free-form design is that a child of very young age can succeed at making a thing of beauty.

These are slices of geode and other clear polished stones.

This shows the elements of art using repetition,shape and direction.

A house filled with gingerbread men with the stars and moons over head.

The gasps of wonder come when the light is turned on!

To make such a delightful art piece is a deep pleasure and gives a sense of contentment for the maker.

A light table in any classroom is awe inspiring!

Beyond the Horse Puzzle

We all know the Montessori science puzzles. 

We need more. Pictures. Books.

How about artistic beauty?

Check.

Need a paper design to go home to Mom.

See the boy in the background with the beaver puppet who is eating real downed logs from a Nebraska beaver. That too. 

Sweetness.

Second Facebook Page Highlights Free Form Beauties

https://www.facebook.com/FreeFormArtforKids/ 

Here I highlight Dundee Montessori's Free Form Design curriculum that I often post on this blog.

Look below under Reggio and find them here also. 

They are stunning designs made by children. 

Cogs, Wheels, Eggs and Silver Turtles

This shelf is for floor work only and totally free form with the kids making all the decisions and my keeping away and then being amazed at what these pre-k artists come up with on their own.

All objects are from basement sales and thrift stores. 

What boy could resist these!

 Yes, it took me a couple of years to accumulate all these cool wooden spindles.

The trick is to find a basement sale that has a lathe workshop.

 Tinker tray with treasures!

Silver turtle napkin rings and old ear rings!

These boys take their design job very seriously and can work for a long time making the choices of placement, pairing and overall beauty.

One has to be impressed with the complexity of this layout.

When in their life will they have this chance to do this again?

This is why we offer this. For art's sake.

How to Put a Loose Parts Shelf Together

This shelf has four free form works stored on it. Three are contained on a tray and one is done on a floor mat. All items are from estate sales and cost very little.

 On the top shelf sits a blue work that is contained in a tray to be used as a table work.

The necklace and beads,spindles and wooden objects were all "found" and can be arranged in various ways.

Any child would love to do this!

A red paper place mat, a paper doily, laser cut discs from Hobby Lobby, old ear rings and odd found objects makes this handsome red table tray work,

 I love finding interesting focal points such as this tiny tower that is accented by metal handles, rubber tiles and wooden discs. 

 This design comes from the offerings on the bottom shelf. It is laid out on a red vinyl floor mat and is endless in the variations. 

Used here is a silver place mat from a garage sale, polished rocks, shells, and various objects found at estate sales. 

Wooden Key

I don't always know how things will fit together. 

Found a large key.

Then found bags of small keys in a grandpa's work room.

Needs a soft touch of grandma's doilies.

Glass gems.

Got it! 

Swans and Stars on a Mirror

Estate sales, how I love thee!

Everything here came from them for pennies.

Go! See things for how they could be made anew! 

See them from the view of a child's hands waiting!