From the chapter “We Are Artists, Too”

Exploring and Drawing Flowers

Materials:
   pictures of floral still-life paintings (in adult art books and from the Internet)
   flowers (from the yard or the grocery store, or artificial)
   non-breakable vases
   drawing paper
   oil pastels or crayons
   children’s picture books about gardens

1. Show the children pictures of paintings of floral arrangements.
2. Compare a few of these. Do they have the same kinds of flowers or different flowers? Do they have the same number of flowers, or different? Which do the children think are most interesting? Why?
3. Encourage the children to explore the fresh or artificial flowers. Ask them to look for and compare shapes, colors, and number of blossoms on he stems.
4. Encourage the children to make floral arrangements using the flowers and vases. Challenge them to use the art materials to draw pictures of their arrangements.
5. Place children’s books with garden illustrations in the Art Area to inspire floral artists.