Apple Prints

I am back in school and for my first  art preschool class in the threes,  I pulled an apple out of my bag for discussion.  I asked them if they had ever picked apples.  This is also good time to talk about the things that we can make from apples (cider, juice, pies, cakes, pastries).  Color of apples and the shape of the apple can also be discussed.

  I used a small knife and  an easily carried flimsy cutting board to slice the apple in half. We discussed  the apple skin, seeds and the stem.  I gave each of them a small paper plate.  We dipped half the apple in red paint to make a print in the middle of the plate.  I added a stem with a black sharpie.  We then dipped thumbs in a combination of dark green and yellow paint to make a couple of leaves by the stem.

I give each child a wipe to clean their thumbs and hands.  I say "clean fingers first and then the table."  We stand up and push up chairs.  We picked up the apples with both hands and got in line by the door.  I took them to the hallway and had them stay in line and turn and face the wall.  When everyone was in hallway, they put their projects down.  I went to the other end of the line and sent them back to the carpet one by one.

Once we were on the carpet I cut up the other part of the apple for them to taste.  While they ate the apple, I played Way Up High in the Apple Tree,  a song from the Learning Station.  At the end of the lesson, each student came up to me and told me their name (since it is the first of the year) and  what we painted today.  I always give stamps or stickers as a reward in preschool art.  If they misbehave or have trouble listening, then they are not rewarded.  Having them tell me their names as the first of the year, helps me quickly learn all of the preschool kids.  After the first month, I usually have learned everyone's name even though a see a couple of hundred children for art each week.