Roberto Juarez, Sweet Potatoes at the Table,1987. Acrylic paint, pastel and sand on linen. 86.5 in x 62.75 in. Denver Art Museum; Marion Hendrie Fund.
Instructions:
- Choose an art object with a variety of shapes, colors, and lines.
- Have children sit in a circle and take a minute to look all around the artwork. Model how the game is played. “I spy something dark blue (a small square, zigzag, etc).” Include directional language to incorporate more vocabulary. “I spy something dark blue at the top of the picture.”
- Have children guess something in the artwork that is blue (square, zigzag, etc).
- Once children are comfortable with how the game is played, have a child say “I spy something ______” and let other children guess what it could be.
- This can be done with many different artworks and practiced regularly as part of circle time. Use abstract art as well as representational to help children practice looking for detail even when the objects are not familiar or easily recognizable.
TIP: Once children are comfortable with this practice of looking, extend it by using it as a method to respond to other children’s artwork as well. Have children play Eye Spy as a way to respond to each other’s creations.
Related Creative Activities
Ten Times Two
Materials Matter
Children will explore the movement and texture of fabric and other materials through hands-on group and individual activities. They will then make an all-class fabric “sculpture” and share their creation with others through pictures.
Family Stories
This lesson focuses on Roxanne Swentzell’s sculpture Mud Woman Rolls On to evoke thoughts about families and their stories. Students create their own picture story about family.
What Does Mud Have to Do With It?
Students learn about using common materials from the earth to create art. After spending time examining the materials used by Roxanne Swentzell and learning about her process and intent for Mud Woman Rolls On, students experiment with dirt, sand, water, and straw to gain a real world experience using materials like those used by the artist.
Dancing the Colors of Birds
Through interaction with Ason Yellowhair’s Bird and Cornstalk Rug, the students will explore colors and rhythm through storytelling and dance.
Bumpy, Lumpy and Special
Children will learn how things that are bumpy, lumpy, and not necessarily “perfect” are often just as special as things that seem smooth and “perfect.” They will have an opportunity to explore the idea that imperfection is still important and beautiful (wabi sabi).
