'Children throughout the unit were motivated by his exciting form of "action" painting which involved dripping, splashing and spattering paint and observing the resulting lines and shapes,' says reception teacher Jill Anderson.
Planned learning intentions
To be confident to try new activities, initiate ideas, speak in a familiar group
To move with confidence and imagination and in safety
To explore colour, texture, shape, form and space in 2D and 3D
Resources
Large pieces and rolls of paper in a selection of colours; powder paint, squeezy paint; brushes; overalls; images of work by Jackson Pollock (use the 'images' facility on a popular search engine or visit www.jacksonpollock.com).
Step by step
- The children were immediately attracted by the colourful abstract patterns in Jackson Pollock's work and soon began looking for shapes and following prominent and less obvious lines in the design.
- We discussed how the painter might have achieved these effects and then began a large work of art together.
- Children had great fun sprinkling powder paint over the surface of a long roll of paper, squirting lines and spattering paint with brushes. They watched with great concentration as paint dripped, splashed and rolled over paper.
- Once children experimented with the materials, some continued to create individual pictures, while others worked together. It was satisfying to notice differences in approaches between individuals and age groups.
- Finally, everyone helped to assemble the finished works of art to form an eye-catching 'Jackson Pollock Gallery' within the Unit.
- Since then, we have observed children demonstrating a more spontaneous approach to their creative work and a much wider diversity in design.
- We now plan to widen the children's creative experiences further by introducing them to contrasting work by famous and local artists.
Jean Evans spoke to Vicky Cornwell, a reception class teacher and Foundation Stage Unit leader, Jill Anderson, reception class teacher, and Julia Watson, nursery teacher at Chilton Primary School, Co Durham.