Fort Collins Rock Art and Gardens

As the days grow with sunshine, so do our desires to be outside. This is true no matter your age, if you love to walk or if you push wheels, it is time to feel the sun and smell the air. It is time to watch the green pop, or perhaps measure it, smell it, feel it, take photographs of it, and in some cases, taste it.




The time is ripe to spring into learning in the garden. Using arts-based learning blended with garden-based learning, rock painting lends itself to creativity, action-based learning, brain engagement, vocabulary building, experiential learning and multiple science lessons. All of this can be found in a rock, paint and anything growing.



Rock painting projects are also easily modified to accommodate any level of participation and offers a variety of potential further learnings. Rock painting can be expanded into cultural, holiday and social skills lessons also.



Do you remember the joy of simply painting rocks into little "rock pets"? Some children build entire "rock communities". The creativity a child puts into developing the entire character is astounding. A rock gets a face, a name, sometimes language and field trips, certainly a home.



Another rock painting activity that adds a creative flair to the earth science education is Rock Labels. Simply find a rock that has somewhat of a flat side to it. Decorate with paint as you would like. Then, with a paint pen, write the name of something growing in your yard, (Basil, Thyme, Daffodil). Place the decorated rock as a label for the plant.



Enjoy!



More Ideas (and pictures) for Garden Rock Painting activities:



http://frugalliving.about.com/od/frugalfun/ht/Painted_Rocks.htm



http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/album/103860025FcHacU



http://www.creativejewishmom.com/2009/06/summer-crafts-for-kids-rock-painting.html







To really get in the spirit, there are events to connect your rock painting activities to the local community.



http://www.fcgov.com/horticulture/newsletter.php?cmd=newsletter&id=576






http://www.examiner.com/x-6818-Fort-Collins-Green-Living-Examiner~y2010m4d5-Artists-and-collectors-Rethink-reuse-and-reinvent-yourself-at-the-ReVisions-art-show



http://www.rmcnargs.org/DesktopDefault.aspx



http://www.therockgardensite.com/



To read about the legend behind Whale Rock, see the following blog. It will also tell you how to make a visit to it.





http://lostfortcollins.com/2009/04/22/polly-brinkhoff-the-woman-behind-whale-rock/