Setting the Table with Watercolor

Following last week’s workshop in Hong Kong, I received this message over Twitter from @LewisNewman12:

I don’t think I have ever attended a PD with so many engaging speakers, wonderful provocations, big questions being explored, that also provided so many real life examples of best practice and tangible takeaways.

I simply love the idea of playful inquiry, exploring big ideas and concepts with simple, yet open-ended, materials. It was so refreshing to be able to explore ideas and concepts in such creative and imaginative ways.

As I left the conference in a taxi, it left me pondering one question that I wish I had been able to ask. During the conference, we used paper and tape and foil and wire to express ourselves, I was wondering if you had a list of other materials you have found to be effective when creating?

As I sit on the bus this morning I am so excited to get the newspaper and tape out today and start exploring alongside my children. You fine people at Opal have ignited a flame inside me and I’m so excited to see where this goes.

Again, thank you so much for the most inspiring two days. I hope to see you again in the future, be it in person or online. I wish you a wonderful week jammed packed of playful inquiry. I know mine will be!

We know that using arts materials as languages for thinking opens doors to new ideas: children and adults reveal their catalytic power daily. We also know that many of you – like Lewis – are hungry for more ideas about which materials you might choose, for what experiences, and how you might organize them in your classrooms and present to children.  

Your questions lead us to a new video series: Setting the Table. Our first episode explores watercolor.  

We can’t wait to hear what you think!