We’ve kicked off H-Week with a colorful splash!  Peter designed our debut project this week to help the children really conceptualize the letter H.  Because the sound made by H is so soft, it can be very difficult for children to listen for.  Harder consonants like B or D are more obvious than the breathy H.  Peter paired up two H-words the children hear quite a lot in order to reinforce the sound, as well as to foster community and to develop beautiful art projects:  Helping Hands!

Each child was designated a color and a central piece of paper as their own.  Peter talked with them about how if they only worked on their own artwork, with their singular colors, their pictures would be beautiful, but monotone.  Working together, they can create much more dynamic pieces of art.  After teachers helped paint their hands in their designated colors, the children moved around the room placing hand prints on each others’ art.  If someone wanted more of a particular color on their painting, they couldn’t just go and get that color; they asked the friend who had their preferred color for help.  In this way, they had to work together to achieve their desired goals.  Helping Hands indeed!