Materials:

• overhead projector
• acetate sheets
• thin black dry erase markers
• brown or white mural paper
• tempera paint, markers, pencils
• extra paint containers like plastic cups, bowls, or empty yogurt or margarine containers

Developing Skills:

• art
• fine motor
• language
• creativity
• science

ACTIVITY

Show children an overhead projector. Pass around a sheet of acetate paper and thin black marker and ask everyone to make a small shape or mark on the paper. Once everyone has drawn a shape, place the paper on the overhead and project the images on the wall. Show children how the size of the image can be "enlarged" or "reduced" using the projector.

Explain that they will each make their own drawing to enlarge. Distribute acetate and markers for children to create their drawings.

Set up a wall area on which to trace the enlarged drawings. Hang up a large sheet of white or brown mural paper and assist children in tracing their objects onto the paper.

Invite children to paint their work. Provide them with a variety of tempera paints and containers and assist them in mixing the colors they want to use.

Find an area to display their work and include a language experience chart that describes the process and children's experiences.

Remember: Encourage children to work at their own pace so they will understand that they don't always have to complete something in one sitting.

TAKE-HOME ACTIVITY

Billboards. Ask children to count the number of billboards that they see either on their way to school in the morning or on their way home in the evening. Record their information the following day.

Curriculum Connection: TECHNOLOGY

Overhead Projector. Engage children in a study about how the overhead projector enlarges images. Invite them to make observational drawings of the projector and include dictations to document their study.