Materials
Shallow, pliable plastic bowl
Plastic wrap
Pebbles from a beach
Plaster of Paris
Bowl or basin
Scissors
Instructions
What to do
1. Ahead of time, line the bowl with plastic wrap if it is not sufficiently pliable.
2. Talk to the children about the pebbles and how the water has made them smooth. Help the
children sort the pebbles by color and size.
3. Invite the children to draw the outline of a picture, like a drawing in a coloring book. Lay the
picture in the bottom of the bowl.
4. Have the children fill the picture in with pebbles, giving consideration to the size and color of
the pebbles. For example, dark-colored pebbles could represent the spots on a dog or the color
of someone's eyes.
5. Mix the plaster in a bowl or basin. Carefully pour it on top of the pebbles, covering the picture.
6. Let the plaster dry for several hours, then gently tap the bottom of the bowl and turn it over to
release the mosaic. Carefully manipulate the bowl if you cannot remove the mosaic at first.
7. Trim any excess paper from the edge of the mosaic.
8. If they are able, invite the children to create their own mosaic.
More to do
More art: Share examples of mosaics with the class. Design mosaics with an assortment of materials.
Use paint and other materials to decorate rocks.
Science: Examine a collection of rocks and pebbles with a magnifying glass.
