Sponge vs. Brush Painting Activity Guide

Overview: This guide supports the sponge vs. brush exploration in the “Brushstroke Magic” lesson. It offers step-by-step procedures, station management tips, differentiation strategies, and teacher prompts to keep all kindergartners engaged and experimenting.

Steps & Timing

Setup & Introduction (2 min)

• Place canvas, sponges, brushes, paints, water cups, and paper towels in table caddies.
• Gather students and review sponge vs. brush marks using Texture & Color Slides.

Sponge Painting Exploration (4 min)

• Distribute paint sponges and canvases.
• Demonstrate gentle dab motions, overlapping two colors for soft blends.
• Circulate, offer praise (“I love how your pink and blue make purple!”), and model new dabbing patterns.

Brush Painting Exploration (4 min)

• Swap sponges for brushes; show how to grip like a pencil.
• Demonstrate long sweeps for skies, short dabs for grass, and layering strokes for depth.
• Guide each child’s hand as needed to build confidence in fine motor control.

Group Reflection & Sharing (3 min)

• Have students place canvases on the showcase table.
• Lead a gallery walk: invite peers to notice and name textures, colors, and shapes.
• Ask: “Which marks did you enjoy making most?”

Clean-Up (2 min)

• Teach children to rinse brushes/sponges, dry tools, and clear their work area with table covers still in place.

Group Management

• Keep materials in labeled table caddies; rotate “helper” roles so small groups cycle through sponge and brush stations.
• Use a visual timer or chime to signal transitions.
• Maintain a 5:1 student-to-adult ratio, with one adult per two tables for support.

Differentiation Strategies

• Emerging Painters: Offer larger sponge pieces and limit to one color at a time.
• Developing Painters: Encourage mixing two colors; praise when they overlap dabs.
• Extending Painters: Challenge them to combine sponge and brush techniques and blend three or more colors.

Teacher Prompts

• “What does your sponge texture remind you of in nature?”
• “How could you make your blue sky look lighter?”
• “What happens if you press harder with your brush?”
• “Which tool helped you create sharper lines?”

Reflection Questions

• Which texture (dabs or strokes) did you like best?
• How did you blend your colors?
• What new effect do you want to try next time?

Mini Canvas Showcase Instructions

Overview: Create a special display area where students share their finished mini canvases, observe peers’ work, and reflect on their creative choices.

Setup (1 minute)

• Cover a table or shelf with a decorative cloth or protective cover
• Arrange each student’s canvas evenly with name labels
• Place any extra cloths or protective covers aside for quick cleanup

Gallery Walk (2 minutes)

• Invite students to walk quietly around the display
• Encourage them to notice different textures (sponge vs. brush) and color blends
• Use a gentle chime or call-out (“Gallery Walk in 30 seconds!”) to manage timing

Reflection & Discussion (1 minute)

• Gather students back to the circle or carpet area
• Ask open-ended prompts:
  • “Which painting’s color blend surprised you?”
    
    
    
  • “What texture did you like most—soft dabs or smooth strokes?”
    
    
    
  • “What new effect do you want to try next time?”
    
    
    
• Invite 2–3 volunteers to share positive comments about a peer’s work

Cleanup (1 minute)

• Assist students in returning canvases to their desks
• Remove display cloth and pack up name labels
• Store finished canvases for drying or take-home

Teacher Tips

• Rotate a “student curator” role each session to lead the gallery walk
• Use sticky notes for peers to leave brief compliments on each label card
• Celebrate every artist by highlighting unique textures and color choices