Painting circles with a compass

I don’t know about you, but I am always looking for a new or unique tool for painting for making the process fun and interesting for children.  These compasses that we used for painting circles really fit the bill…

Compass painting by Teach Preschool

I’ve shared with you how we have been exploring circles and other shapes lately.  Deborah picked up these awesome compasses at the Dollar Tree, obviously intending to use them for making circles. She wanted to borrow the brilliant idea from Housing a Forest of using paintbrushes, instead of a standard pencil that you would normally use in a compass…

Compass painting by Teach Preschool

Finding a paintbrush that fits in the compass was a bit challenging.  Fortunately, we have several different sized paint brushes to choose from, so we picked the best fit.  It was still a little loose, so Mr. Hayden wrapped a rubber band around the paintbrush so it wouldn’t slip…

Compass painting by Teach Preschool

Cups of paint were set out along with the compasses for the children to dip their paintbrushes in.  The children had never seen a compass before, so we had to demonstrate how to use it.  Now that I think about it, I haven’t had much use for a compass since high school math class!  You may remember those old metal compasses with a sharp point.  Well, these were made of plastic, so there was a small blunt point and not a sharp point to worry about.  We placed two pieces of foam board on the table then showed the children how poke one end of the compass into the paper on the foam board  and ten dip the brush into the paint and move the brush around in a circle. And then we set the children loose, armed with their new compass paintbrushes, some paint, and large sheets of white paper…

Compass painting by Teach Preschool

I couldn’t begin to imagine how or if the children would be able to make this work.  Compasses are difficult tools to work with, even for adults.  As with most of our art processes, we focused more on allowing the children to explore this new and unfamiliar tool, rather than on the end product.  But WOW, were we ever surprised by the results…

Compass painting by Teach Preschool

Not all of the children chose to do this particular activity, but all of those who attempted it, gave 100% effort!  We found that our younger students had a harder time keeping their compass centered in the middle of their paper.  Sometimes they accidentally squeezed the compass, which broke their circle.  And some of the children preferred to just swipe their brush back and forth in an arc, rather than making a whole circle.  Nonetheless, it was an interesting process for them to explore…

Compass painting by Teach Preschool

But what was most surprising about this process was the focus and determination that some of our children had to create a true circle…

Compass painting by Teach Preschool

It was quite an accomplishment to create such a large, perfect circle.  But one of our little guys didn’t stop there, he went on to try to paint a circle inside of a circle.  How cool!

Compass painting by Teach Preschool

This was such a great art process and a really unique way to explore circles!  I can’t wait to use the compasses again in a new way!  What are your favorite painting tools?

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Deborah J Stewart

Deborah J Stewart

Every time I think I know everything I need to know about teaching young children, God says, "Hold on a minute!" and gives me a new challenge.

Let me tell ya...

With each new challenge that you overcome, you will find yourself better equipped and more passionate about teaching young children.

God didn't call wimps to lead, teach, or care for His children. Nope, he has high expectations, so get ready. You will have to give your very best but after teaching for over 30 years, I can tell you that it is a wonderful and rewarding journey.

Whenever your calling feels hard, just remember, 'He who began a good work in you (and in the children you serve) will be faithful to complete it.'

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