Maple Syrup Collage Paintings

Here in Vermont Spring arrives a bit late. Luckily we have some wonderful things to keep us happy while we await the buds and blooms. One of these is Maple Sugaring season! Many years ago I came up with this project as a follow-up to a preschool field trip to the local Sugar House. This morning the excited oooohs and ahhhs of the entire group during my demo let me know this activity is still a favorite.

Maple Syrup Collage Paintings                 

Copyright 2000

Materials

*maple syrup - light in color is better

*small watercolor brushes - inexpensive ones are best

*small plastic dishes for paints

*small plastic bowls for tissue and cellophane

*small plastic containers with lids to store paints

*food coloring in a variety of colors - Wilton concentrated paste ones for cake decorating are

   the best - a little bit goes a very long way and the colors are intense

*small pieces of white mat board or student grade watercolor paper - approx. 3”x5”

*small pieces of colored tissue paper cut into little squares and triangles

*small pieces of colored cellophane cut into little squares and triangles

*glitter in a variety of colors in shaker jars

Preparation

*prepare the paints by mixing small amounts of food coloring into small amounts of maple

  syrup - cost is a factor which is why I do the paintings so small - if your base for

  painting is small and your brushes are small, the paintings will be small and not as costly

*mix about 6 different colors

*set up the table so each child has one mat board or paper and the paints are in the

  dishes with a couple of brushes in each color 

* keep the tissue, cellophane, and glitter aside until paintings are done

*cover the table with a white or solid colored plastic tablecloth or brown kraft paper

  (I find newspaper is visually distracting to children when making art, so if necessary to

  cover the tables for easier clean up, try using a solid or neutral color)

Procedure

*start out by reading a story that ties in to the project, such as one about sugaring

   or pancakes or such - also do a related song or rhythm game

* do a demonstration of the project in the circle where all can see and take questions

*explain that this project is part painting and part collage

* let them loose to go to the tables and begin

*as they work, colors will get mixed and that is fine, but it is nice to start out with pure colors

*put a very small amount in each dish and refill as needed

* after their painting is done provide the tissue, cellophane, and glitter

*because the syrup is so sticky the collage elements will stick without glue

*when the paintings are dry the collage elements will be stuck to the surface and the

maple syrup paint will still look slightly wet, so they are colorful, shiny, and glittery