Pendulum Painting and Cause and Effect

What started out as exploring the concepts of cause and effect and balance also ended up being a very fun mess.

I wanted to do a painting activity with my lower elementary students to explore how we can still have fun making art while also being mindful of our physical actions.

I set up 3 pendulum stations with my class assistant. We made the pendulums from easels and dropped half cut squeeze bottles from the middle of them. We then mixed the tempra paint with water to get a good fluid consistancy once they ran through the squeeze bottles. Students took turns to direct the pendullum being mindful of gentle force and trying to keep their paint on thier paper. Patience was the key here. Student observed thier classmates in action while waiting for their turn, and got pointer on how the manage the swinging pendulum. There was also a lesson to be learned here with sharing and taking turns. This was more than just practice making a work of art, it became a practice in collaboration. Some students helped others transfer their art to the drying rack, some students stood guard, gently deflecting the pendulum if it ran too far, and some helped refill the paint, to help ensure that everyone go their chance at the pendulum station.

In the end everyone had a very energizing art lesson and created great paintings.