We’re finishing up our Alphabet Island theme for June, and I’m sad to see it end. It’s been a great theme for summer. During these warm months, we do a little less but we always do the art projects. The Island Sunset Art wowed me!

Island Sunset Art
Where can you see a sunset? Sunsets are the most visible and so beautiful over the water. This is a great time to talk about reflection. The Experience Early Learning Daily Topic posters always include a question to prompt conversation.

What colors can you see in a sunset? So many colors blend together!

For this project, I offered a variety of liquid watercolors, a piece of white paper and a black crayon. Glitter was also included for this Invitation to Create but we forgot about it and didn’t end up using it. That’s okay, though, their art didn’t need it!


Drawing beautiful sunset looks and sounds overwhelming but it’s fairly easy! To prove this, I tried my hand at drawing the palm trees and scene myself (my drawing is not pictured) while describing my work and the children watched. I said, “The trees are just lines.” Everyone can draw lines. I explained that everything in the picture appears black or shaded in the sunset picture. It’s because of all the light and colors behind the trees.

After drawing the scene with a black crayon, then we started to paint the sunset.

What happens when you paint over the crayon? The paint “resists” or doesn’t color over the crayon!
My group always enjoys mixing colors so that was definitely part of the process as well. What does red and yellow make? See the small sun going down in the painting below?

I was blown away by their fabulous drawing and painting. This work was done by 3-5 year olds, 100% their own work.

Day is Done Song/Fingerplay
Day is done,
Day is done.
(Reach arms above head.)
It was fun,
It was fun.
(Swing arms side-to-side overhead.)
The sun sets in the sky,
(Squat low.)
It waves to us goodbye.
(Wave.)
Day is done,
Day is done.
(Reach arms above head, then let them fall to the sides.)
Story Suggestion
The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush by Tomie dePaola goes along beautifully with the sunset theme.
More Alphabet Island

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I received curriculum from Experience Early Learning for honest and authentic stories resulting from my daily experiences using the curriculum. As a user of Experience Preschool for many years, I am pleased to share quality educational experiences. #sponsored #ExperienceEarlyLearning