July 13: Bubbles & Blots
Assigned Teachers: Tameez, Suren, Piyumika
Intro
Today, we will explore how to mix colors using just a few paints, discover how mistakes and surprises can lead to beautiful artwork, and learn how to turn old newspaper into something new and creative.
Understand color mixing with limited palette
Learn that "mistakes" and randomness are part of creative discovery
Reuse and repurpose old materials for beautiful new purposes - it can be wrapping paper, a greeting card, a bookmark
You will need:
3–4 colors of tempera
sturdy paper
Dish soap and water in cups (1 per color, ask students to bring cups)
Drinking straws (1 per child, ask students to bring)
Old newspaper or scrap paper (cut into sheets)
Clips and string (for drying display)
Guide
Step 1:
Students sit in a circle or around the table while teacher asks and demonstrates:
“What do you think happens when you blow paint?”
“Can we control how color moves with our breath?”
“What happens when bubbles pop?”
Show quick demos of:
Blowing bubbles onto paper
Blow-painting with straws
Folding a blot and opening it
Step 2:
Kids can rotate through 3 small stations, so there will be a lot of moving around. move the chairs away and have material / stations prepared in advance. or do all three in sequence:
Station A. Bubble Prints
Mix soap, paint, and water
Blow into mixture with a straw until bubbles rise above rim
Gently press newspaper on top
Let pop and repeat with new colors
Station B. Straw-Blow Art
Drop colored water/paint onto newspaper
Use a straw to blow the paint around
Try adding one color, drying, and layering a second
Challenge: Can you blow a tree? A river? A creature?
Station C: Rorschach Blots
Drop or paint a few spots of color
Fold paper in half and press
Open to reveal your inkblot
Ask: What do you see in your blot? (This encourages imagination!)
Conclusion / Discussion:
Which colors did you use today?”
“Did you mix any colors? What new color did it make?”
(e.g., “I mixed red and yellow and it made orange!”)“What did you notice when bubbles or paint touched other colors?”
“Was there anything you couldn't control in the process? How did that feel?”
“If you had to give your artwork a name, what would it be?” ‘ex: monsters going to school’