Expert: MaryAnn F. Kohl - 4/2/2007

Question
im trying to think of something to do with the pre-school that i work with and i can't think of anything to do with them. We have to make something for art, but the catch is that we have to use recycled items and im not sure what to do. So, could you help me?

Answer
Hi, Mariana. I have so many ideas I don't know where to start!! I will copy one idea from my website for you, using magazine pictures. That is a good recycling project for old magazines.

Please look through my website for other ideas.
www.brightring.com
Go to "free activities", and also "Previous Activities".

I also suggest you do a simple Google search for recycled kid art ideas.

Here's your idea!
Write back if you want something different:::: (write to maryann@brightring.com)


Mixed Up Magazine - from Preschool Art

Preschool Art, by MaryAnn Kohl offers over 200 process-oriented preschool activities for children ages 3-6 years.

Young artists find mixed-up magazine extremely funny. Be prepared for some very silly artists who may not want to complete one full picture, but make many silly scenes. This project is truly enjoyable!

Materials:
• pre-cut magazine pictures
• paper, cardboard, box lid, or paper plate for the base
• paste or glue
• pens or crayons

Art Process:
1. Choose a magazine picture.
2. Cut an important part from the picture, such as the head of a dog, a baby's foot, or a glass of milk. Glue it to the base of the paper or cardboard.
3. Choose another unrelated magazine picture, and add a part of that picture to the first part. The idea is to make a silly picture combining unrelated parts, such as the head of a dog, the body of a boy, two feet made of bananas, and so on.
4. When a substantially silly picture is complete, dry for an hour or so.

Variations:

• Glue a part from a magazine picture on a piece of paper. Give the artist the challenge of adding other parts to the pre-glued piece.
• Be creative. Imagine a spaghetti face for a boy with a tree trunk body sleeping on a bed of clouds. Imagine other ideas while flipping through magazines collecting pictures.