How to make mark making interesting, especially for those who do not choose to participate in mark making activities? Inspired by an image from ‘Pinterest’, an online site that shares ideas, we stuck paper to the underside of a table for children to lie down on the floor and reach up to make marks. An activity clearly inspired by the painted ceiling of the Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo.
This activity also helps children develop their grip on the mark making resources, if not held tightly enough the mark making implement will fall!
Children not only liked the novelty of being on the floor but the positioning inspired children’s imaginary play seeing the image as a nights sky with stars and comets, being astronauts in their space ship. Putting the table in different positions in the room gave different results. In a darker position in the setting the boys were keen to participate, sharing their space and resources.
They compared their work with each other comparing what mark making resources worked best. Experimenting together this activity created a buzz within the room with children laughing at the funny sight of feet sticking out from under the table others came over and bending down looked at what was going on. We are now putting mark making any where we can think of, no matter which way up you need to be in order to attempt it!
Tam