Materials
- Courier and Ives art poster
- White art paper
- Crayons
- Paper clips
What to do
1. Show the children an example of an etching such as the Courier and Ives print.
2. Supply the children with art paper and crayons.
3. Have the children color their paper in any design with different colors. Encourage them to press hard and cover the entire surface.
4. When they have finished, show the children how to cover their design completely with black crayon, again pressing very hard.
5. Straighten the paper clips to form a point on one end. Hand one clip to each child.
6. Invite the children to etch a design or picture in the black crayon using the paper clip.
More to do
Circle time: Show the children a dollar bill and explain how the design is etched in metal, then printed onto paper. Brainstorm about everyday examples of etchings.
Field trips: Visit an off-set printing shop for a demonstration. Tour the art department at a nearby high school to see how etchings are made.
-Barbara Saul, Eureka, CA
