Collaborative Farm Mural
Supports agricultural awareness, STEM integration, literacy, and social-emotional development at the IPC Level 2 stage.
- Framework: EYFS
- Unit: EYFS At the Farm
- Learning area: Creative Arts
- Level: EYFS Reception
Objectives
- Developmentally appropriate objectives aligned to IPC Level 2 for Collaborative Farm Mural.
Materials
- Level-appropriate farm-themed materials and manipulatives.
Instructions
Materials
- One long roll of butcher paper or kraft paper.
- Washable tempera paints in farm-themed colours like green, blue, brown, and yellow.
- Assorted paint brushes, sponges, and rollers.
- Plastic farm animal figurines for stamping.
- Pre-cut shapes of barns, silos, and fences made from cardstock.
- Glue sticks and non-toxic liquid glue.
Learning Objectives
- Demonstrate fine motor control by using various tools to apply paint.
- Collaborate with peers to complete a shared visual project.
- Identify and categorize farm elements such as animals, structures, and crops.
- Use spatial awareness to place objects in a logical arrangement on the mural.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Clear a large floor area and secure a long sheet of paper to the floor using masking tape.
2. Gather the children and discuss what they have learned about the farm, listing key elements like fields, barns, and animals.
3. Invite the children to paint the background of the mural by using rollers for the grass and sponges for the sky.
4. Encourage children to work in small groups to ensure they share space and materials effectively.
5. Once the background is dry, provide the pre-cut cardstock shapes for the children to glue onto the mural.
6. Demonstrate how to dip the feet of plastic animal figurines into paint to create animal tracks across the paper.
7. Allow children to place the figurines on the mural to act out scenes while the paint is still wet.
8. Facilitate a group discussion where children explain where they placed their animals and why.
9. Display the finished mural at eye level in the classroom to serve as a reference for future farm-themed activities.
Educator Tip
If children struggle with sharing space, use masking tape to mark off individual zones on the mural paper. This provides a clear visual boundary for each child while still allowing the final product to look cohesive.
Assessment
- Observe if the child can independently choose and use a painting tool to cover a specific area.
- Note the child's ability to engage in verbal turn-taking during the planning phase.
- Document if the child can correctly identify and place farm animals in the appropriate habitat on the mural.
Educator tip
Guided questioning to encourage language, reasoning, and participation. Differentiate for ability levels; incorporate sensory supports; ensure safety.
Assessment
Assess against Early Learning Goals (ELGs). Document evidence of 'expected' or 'exceeding' descriptors. Note: independent application of skills, ability to explain reasoning, and capacity to build on prior learning. Observation checklist or rubric aligned to developmental stage.