In the Messy Moment

My students left class today with tissue paper stuck to their toes, a shirt full of paint, and 3 new projects. We made tissue paper landscapes with layers of sticky blue, green, sand, and yellow colored tissue paper. We rolled out slabs of clay with a rolling pin and then pressed sea shells, burlap and stamps into the clay. Before we did all of that, this first class deserved a portfolio. This is a large folding book where we can put all of their creations throughout the class to bring home. I helped them learn a little about book binding by using book binding glue (VERY sticky) and burlap. I was engaged in the messes, the pouring of the paint, the desire to roll every color offered into a wonderful thick layer of brown. Often, I held back my explanation to the five year old "how exciting it will be to put all the art they make" in this class portfolio. Holding back, because the porfolio IS the art they are making IN this class IN this moment. The kids don't care as much about what it is they are making at that age, just as long as they are squishing, pulling, rolling, dripping, and brushing the art materials into a wonderful multi-colored memory. I am blessed to be a part of it.