Mkkk;

Jackson makes a Snail

Jackson wanted to draw a snail. One thing he knew for sure was that he wanted his snail to be big and that there were lots of curves in a snail. He moved his hand and arm using very big movements and this is what he came up with. But…it’s not the way he wants it.

This next attempt included the eyes and mouth for the snail but it isn’t exactly how he wants it yet.

I talked with him about what he thinks a snail looks like. He said he knows that the circles of a snail are connected…but he didn’t know exactly how. In this drawing, he tried connecting the circles. When he thought he made a mistake with the circles, he put an “x” on them.

I watched Jackson as he made his next attempt at the snail. He wanted to try another way of connecting the circles so he thought he would try connecting them along one line. This still didn’t

look right to him.

Jackson’s next attempt involved trying to make spiral shapes. This is getting closer to the shape of a snail. I told him that this new shape is called a “spiral.”

Jackson tries to incorporate the spiral shape into a larger snail shape. He is getting really close to the way he wants his snail to look.

And finally…a snail! Jackson uses what he learned from making spirals and making large round shapes to make a wonderful drawing of a snail.

What this means

Jackson – you worked really hard at making a snail. You didn’t give up, even when you started to feel frustrated with what you were doing. You tried making different types of shapes and did lots of experimentation. You are a great problem solver and a talented artist, and like grown-up artists, you tried using all types of ways to illustrate exactly what it was that you wanted to make.

Opportunities and Possibilities

Jackson is very interested in observing the world around him and then drawing what he sees. He also likes to look for new ways to do things and shows wonderful problem solving skills. I am going to add more drawing materials to the art area (different types of pencils, coloured chalk) to allow Jackson more opportunities for drawing. As well, I am going to include clipboards and paper throughout the room. I will encourage him to document some of the work that he does (especially in the block area) and also suggest that he sketches other things that he sees in the room, including the work of other children (with their permission!).

Comments from friends and loved ones:

Jackson: I like snails and I like my snail drawing. It has a spiral shape in it.

Dad: Thanks for taking the time to tell us about Jackson’s snail drawing. We will keep this book and look back on it often.

Mom: Jackson loves to draw – you’ve given me some ideas on how to encourage him.

Ten years later…