The Metal Insets

[Picture]

Material

  • Two wooden stands each holding five metal geometric insets. The metal insets are blue and have square red frames. All are of equal size. Each inset has a knob on it in the canter, for handling by the writing fingers. The basic measurement is 14 centimeters. The ten shapes are:
    • Curved triangle  
    • Quatrefoil   
    • Circle             
    • Ellipse
    • Triangle     
    • Rectangle 
    • Square     
    • Pentagon    
    • Trapezium
  • Pieces of hardboard on which to rest the paper. 
  • Metal inset paper (in pastel shades) which are the same size as the frame. 
  • Selection of colored pencils-at least three different colors. 
  • Pencil stands which will hold pencils. (These are kept within easy reach of the child).

Direct aim

Direct preparation for writing (i.e. control of the pencil); outlining figures and art work.

Indirect aim

Preparing the child for geometry through the shapes and the names of the figures. Training the child’s chromatic sense of colour gradations.

Point of interest

The activity involved in drawing round the shapes and the various colour schemes and variety of designs.

Age of interest

31/2 years upwards

Teacher’s presentation

The child is taken to the shelf and given the name ‘The Metal Insets’. He may choose any inset he likes, and brings it to his place, with the frame. He also brings the leaning boąrd, paper, pencil-stand and different colours. The Directress sits on the right-hand side of the child, puts the leaning board on her left and places the paper on it.

1) Take the frame of an inset, place it exactly on the paper, and show the child how to hold it firmly with one hand, and draw around inside it. If his shape is not exact, do not proceed, but go on with the other frames.

2) At a later stage, with the oval, the ellipse, etc. show the child how to tum the frame around in any of the four ways in which it will fit the paper exactly. By doing this, he can make a pattern changing the color of his pencil each time.

3) Choose paper, pencil and inset, and show the child how to draw around the outside of the inset.

4) Choose paper, pencil and frame and show the child how to draw the shape. Then put the inset of the same frame very carefully over the shape drawn. Now change the color of the pencil, and draw around the inset.

5) Make patterns using the frames then the insets of various shapes.

6) Use the frame, then the inset of any shape; draw around them and then show the child how to draw light parallel lines from left to right, right to left, etc. without lifting the pencil from the paper, in order to fill in the shape. This stroking action trains the eye and hand to work in unison.

7) Use various frames and their insets to form a pattern. Fill in different sections of the pattern by using different colored parallel lines.

Control of error

  • The frame edge.
  • The inset outline.
  • The double outline acts as a control of perfection, a test of the exactness with which the hand has moved. In the figure that has been drawn-the child must keep within the limits when shading.

Exercise

As he acquires the ability of drawing and coloring one inset, he is allowed to proceed to the next. The child is in the sensitive period for shape, color, movement, order. He is interested in the whole pattern of the work.

    • The Directress should write the name of the child and the date on his inset drawings before he puts them in his drawer. If it is very good and she wishes to display it, she asks the permission of the child.
    • The drawing must not in any way be crossed out, marked upon, erased, or torn up.
    • Do not criticize it to the child. To correct a child’s insets, repeat the presentation.
    • Keep all his insets, so that improvements may be seen.