Environmental Collages

A group effort which is meaningful as well as fun, and a great way to review and reinforce a field trip experience.

Objectives

Children ages 5-6 can work with a group to achieve a common goal (cooperative play) SE IV
and they can tell what materials are made of Cog. I
Children ages 3-4 can use texture, shape, weight, size, and where found to describe an object Cog. I
Children ages 1 ½-2 can carry objects from trays to collage board GM III
All children participating will be able to work with other children well SE IV

 

Materials

Large piece of heavy cardboard or plywood; felt pens; glue; found objects from a field trip (to ocean, woods, etc.); paper bags; paints.

Procedures

l. While children are on a field trip* to the ocean, woods, park, or a walk around the block, have them collect things in paper bags (shells, rocks, leaves, flowers, etc.).

2. When they return (or the next day) have them dump the contents of the bags onto trays and describe some of their found objects and where they were found.

3. Next, lay out the plywood or cardboard. Draw some landmarks (e.g., pond, trail, etc.) to remind the children of the field trip area. Let the children glue on the things they collected in the appropriate places.

4. When the collage is dry, children can paint parts of it with poster paint and hang it in a prominent spot in the classroom.