Summer Collage
Level 3 promotes self-awareness and reflection.
- Framework: EYFS
- Unit: EYFS Summer Time
- Learning area: Social Emotional
- Level: EYFS Reception
Objectives
- Reflect on personal growth
- compare past and present summer experiences.
Instructions
Materials
- Large sheets of heavy cardstock or poster board
- Assorted summer-themed magazine cutouts and nature items like dried leaves or petals
- Child-safe liquid glue and glue spreaders
- Safety scissors for each student
- Markers and coloured pencils
- Trays for organising collage materials
Learning Objectives
- Demonstrate fine motor control by cutting out complex shapes from magazines.
- Express personal preferences and summer memories through visual representation.
- Explain the choice of images to peers during a group sharing session.
- Organise visual space by layering materials on the cardstock.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Gather the students in a circle to discuss what summer means to them, focusing on activities like swimming, picnics, or visiting the beach.
2. Provide each student with a sheet of cardstock and a tray containing pre-selected magazine images and natural items.
3. Demonstrate how to select images that represent their personal summer experiences.
4. Model the proper use of safety scissors to trim images into desired shapes.
5. Instruct students to arrange their chosen items on the cardstock before applying any glue to ensure they are satisfied with the composition.
6. Encourage students to use glue spreaders to apply a thin layer of adhesive to the back of their items.
7. Allow students to use markers or pencils to add details or labels to their collages once the glue is set.
8. Facilitate a brief peer-to-peer sharing session where students describe why they chose specific items for their collage.
9. Display the completed collages in the classroom to celebrate individual self-expression.
Educator Tip
To support students who struggle with open-ended tasks, provide a list of prompts such as "my favourite summer food" or "a place I visited." If a student finishes early, encourage them to write a short sentence or title at the top of their collage to practise emergent literacy skills.
Assessment
- Observe the student's ability to use scissors to cut along defined lines.
- Note the student's capacity to explain the personal significance of their collage elements.
- Record whether the student successfully layered materials to create a cohesive visual composition.
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. Rubric: reflection depth, clarity.