- brushes
- large box
- paper
- sand in a shaker
- tempera paint
- The Three Little Javelinas (book, for reference)
- adobe
- cactus
- desert
- house
- tumbleweed
MA Standards:
English Language Arts/Language/L.PK.MA.6 Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, listening to books read aloud, activities, and play.
English Language Arts/Speaking and Listening/SL.PK.MA.1 Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners during daily routines and play.
Head Start Outcomes:
Science Knowledge/Scientific Skills and Method Observes and discusses common properties, differences, and comparisons among objects.
PreK Learning Guidelines:
Science and Technology/Technology and Engineering 23 Explore and describe a wide variety of natural and man-made materials through sensory experiences.
Sandy Desert Paintings
© Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Early Education and Care (Jennifer Waddell photographer). All rights reserved.
Skill Focus: Creative Expression, Predicting, Small Motor Skills, Vocabulary
Show children the sand in the shaker. Remind them that the desert scenes in The Three Little Javelinas show lots of sand. Browse through the pages to refresh memories. Ask, What do you think would happen if you shook sand on a wet painting?
As children respond, model the procedure. Paint a small picture, place it in a large box, and sprinkle sand on it. Pick it up carefully by the corners and lay it flat to dry. Say, Is that what you thought would happen?
- Invite children to paint desert pictures.
- Place the paintings, one at a time, in the box so children can shake sand on their artwork.
- Let all paintings dry, then help children shake off excess sand.
- Have each child touch his or her painting and describe how it feels.
Safety Tip: Caution children not to put the sand in their mouths or to rub their eyes when the sand is on their fingers. Have them wash hands thoroughly after the activity.