Preschool Winter W Art Project

Creating Early Childhood Winter Themed Alphabet Art

Jan 14, 2009 Erica Loop

This lesson plan illustrates how to create a fun, alphabet based art project. Use it with letter or seasonal themes to enhance standard classroom activities.

Wonderful Winter White W's are an artistic way to increase letter and color recognition, while in the frame of a season theme. This project can be as open ended as needed, and alternative materials or process suggestions will be given.

Winter W Art Project Objectives

  • Increase letter recognition skills (letter W)
  • Increase color recognition skills
  • Develop fine motor abilities
  • Explore art materials and processes
  • Build awareness of seasons and environment (i.e., winter)

Grade Level

Preschool/ Early Childhood: Suggested for ages three through five

Materials Needed to Create Winter W's

  • Precut construction paper W's (any color except for white)
  • Flat sheets of construction or other paper (must be larger than the W's)
  • Glue
  • White art materials that may include: tissue paper, cotton balls, cloth strips, yarn, paint, chalk, crayons, glitter, Model Magic, craft foam.

Winter White W Process Steps

  1. Draw or trace letter W's onto construction paper. Use double lines and make each part of the W at least two inches thick. These should be large enough to cover most of the paper sheet that you are using. Make sure that you have chosen paper that is not white.
  2. Cut out letter W's.
  3. Using glue or glue sticks, the children can glue the W letters onto another sheet of construction paper. This will provide a background. Again, this should not be white.
  4. Group a variety of white art materials on the table. Invite the children to turn their W's white.

Pre-planning Ideas for the Winter White W

It may be helpful, prior to beginning this art project, to discuss the letter "W" and the season of winter. Show the children the letter "W", and write out words that begin with it (e.g., winter, white). Tie in the seasonal theme by taking a field trip outside if possible. Ask the children to look at their environment, or invite them to explore winter colors.

Additionally, read winter themed books in the classroom. Point out the letter "W" in print or ask the children to do so.

Winter White W Process Suggestions

Choosing an art material or process for this specific project can be lead by the teacher, the class, or the classroom's materials availability. Giving the children a few different choices can foster decision making skills, sorting abilities, and aesthetic development. Try to find a medium between what the children want to do and what is feasible in the classroom. If there happens to be an abundance of white tissue paper, try using that first.

Some examples of process that can be used in this project include (but are not limited to):

  • Collage- use tissue paper, construction paper, or fabric and foam
  • White tempera paints
  • Crayon drawing
  • Chalk drawing
  • Cotton balls and glue
  • Model Magic or modeling clay relief (have children apply the Model Magic or clay on top of the W by pressing it firmly down, glue sticks may be used)
  • White glitter and glue
  • White yarn and glue mosaic

Winter White W Lesson Wrap Up

Following this art project, ask the children to help in the clean up process. If multiple materials have been used, have the class place them in specific piles. Not only will this help you to tidy the room, but it becomes a beneficial sorting activity.

After the W's are dry have a mini-art show. Display the projects on a classroom wall. This can be done in any manner that fits with the classroom from basic tape hanging to the wall to creating an elaborate display or documentation board. If classroom photographs were taken during this project for documentation purposes, add activity pictures to the display. Use written captions along with the artwork and photos so that parents and other caregivers can understand what the children have accomplished.

Winter White W's are a wonderful alphabet based seasonal art project for the early childhood classroom. This activity stress letter recognition skills and environment awareness, while building creativity.

The copyright of the article Preschool Winter W Art Project in Curricula/Lesson Plans is owned by Erica Loop. Permission to republish Preschool Winter W Art Project in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Winter White W Art , Erica Loop Winter White W Art
The Letter W, Erica Loop The Letter W
 
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