STEAM Tuesdays: Feather Writing Activity

Within a STEAM-based curriculum, children build deep understandings of Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Math by engaging in simple activities with great purpose.

One such activity from our schools that can be easily replicated at home is Feather Painting! While on the surface this may seem like basic arts and crafts, when we peel back the layers, we find that this project provides a multitude of learning experiences for children of various ages.

For example, Science skills are utilized as children find that the feather can be used as a tool, and they explore Technology as they discover that non-traditional items can be used to paint. This activity strongly utilizes Visual Arts as children express themselves creatively, and they use Math skills to identify similarities and differences in how they paint with a feather as opposed to painting with other utensils.

While working through this activity, communicate with your child by asking them what other items could be used as tools for painting. Encourage them to use critical thinking skills by hypothesizing what feather painting might look like on paper. You could also have your child compare feather painting with watercolors versus acrylics.

Lessons like this encourage children to think with a broader scope, and they teach all of us that there are endless opportunities for learning everywhere we look!

Materials:

• Craft feathers
• Variety of washable paints
• Cup of water
• Construction paper
• Newspaper (for easy clean up)
• Paint smock (or old button-up shirt)

Instructions:

1. Lay down newspaper in case of spills.
2. Prepare paints as needed. Have a cup of water within arm’s reach of child (for rinsing feathers).
3. Provide child with feathers and have them paint various letters, numbers, and shapes.
4. Have your child describe the experience and ask them questions, such as:
   1. What does it feel like to paint with a feather?
   2. How is it different than using a traditional paintbrush?
   3. What does their artwork look like?
   4. Are there other objects with which they could paint?
   5. Does one type of paint work better than another? Why would that be?
   6. What happens if you blend colors?