Earth Art on Earth Day

Posted by: inkyspider on Apr 23, 2010  

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inkyspider

Yesterday, April 22nd, was Earth Day, and I was invited by our local school to do an earth art activity  on the shore of our lake with some of the students. We are just a small village so our school reflects this, with 75 students ranging from kindergarten to grade 12. Many activities include a real range in ages and this group had kids from about 6 to 14 years old. I think it's a wonderful thing these days to be able to have kids of all ages doing things together.

They began their morning by walking in groups towards the lake with their teachers and some parents, picking up garbage along the way. When they arrived at the lake they each made a small fire and met with me to do their earth art activity. We discussed a bit about the elements of art: line, colour, shape, texture and value and where we might find these in nature around us, and then they dispersed into groups to work on creating art from rocks, leaves, sticks, moss and other found natural and discarded objects. In a very short time they became completely immersed in nature, discovering all kinds of nuances in the colours of rocks and the patterns that can be created with just a few simple ingredients.

 

 

 

 

 

 After this activity they were treated to the talents of an amazing drum teacher who brought with him an array of percussion instruments to share with them.  Needless to say, they had a fantastic time this Earth Day, spent out  in nature with friends and community.

 

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gringrimaceandsqueak
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written by gringrimaceandsqueak, April 24, 2010
I remember when I was at school we used to do things like this. In fact when I worked as a Park Ranger we did stuff like this with the kids too. Sadly now, it seems all the legislature and over-protection worries in this country won't allow it. The kids in your village are really lucky and its so good of you to add to that. Where do you live? , I think we want to move there! LOL I hate this nanny state! Good job, well done you
Susan
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written by Susan, April 24, 2010
You are an excellent teacher, with very lucky students. What an invigorating view of how education should be.
mooaany
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written by mooaany, April 24, 2010
In Sedona Arizona which is the place of vortex, energy lines, it is a custom by some to build cairns which are much like first picture, a pile of rocks placed carefully in a stack in an area of vortex or a place of prayer, they are also called prayer rocks.

We all could benefit from the serenity of such habits.
inkyspider
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written by inkyspider, April 24, 2010
Thanks so much for all your kind comments.
Gringrimaceandsqueek: We live in on the Slocan Lake, in the Kootenay region of BC in Canada. I am not a qualified teacher (although my husband is), but I have taught a lot of art, in the schools through various programs, and private classes after school. The gallery out of which I taught is just up from the Lake so we went down there quite often and did earth art and nature drawing.
Mooaany: This area too is quite special and there are many cairns built from the wealth of rocks here. I think this is inspiring to the children who live here as well. My son loves to build with rock.
Thanks again for reading my blogsmilies/smiley.gif

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