Grain Texture Art: Flour, Oatmeal, and Cornmeal Collage

Lesson 216 • By Sandra Leister (Expanded Version)
Grade Level: Preschool

Learning Objectives

Students will:

  • Explore different grains and grain textures used to make bread products.

  • Use fine-motor skills to paint glue and sprinkle materials.

  • Create a grain collage picture using flour, oatmeal, and cornmeal.

  • Practice writing their names.

  • Develop sensory awareness by touching and observing different textures.

Materials

  • 5 lb. bag white flour

  • 5 lb. bag whole wheat flour

  • 2 lb. box oatmeal

  • 2 lb. box cornmeal

  • Black or dark blue construction paper

  • 8 tablespoons

  • 4 pie pans (one for each grain)

  • Newspaper to protect the workspace

  • Glue + glue brushes or cotton swabs

  • 4 yogurt containers (1/4 full of glue)

  • White crayons (for writing names)

‍ Preparation

  1. Cover tables and floor area with newspaper for easy cleanup.

  2. Fill each pie pan with one grain (white flour, whole wheat flour, oatmeal, cornmeal).

  3. Place two tablespoons in each pan for scooping and sprinkling.

  4. Pour glue into yogurt containers (¼ full).

  5. Set out cotton swabs or glue brushes.

  6. Arrange black/blue construction paper and white crayons.

Tip: Dark paper helps the grain textures stand out.

Activity Steps (Small Groups of 3–4)

1. Choose Paper

Each child chooses black or dark blue construction paper.

2. Write Name

Using a white crayon, students print their names at the top.

3. Glue Painting

Children paint glue across their paper in patterns:

  • Lines

  • Swirls

  • Shapes

  • Random abstract designs

4. Sprinkle the Grains

Students sprinkle grains using:

  • Spoons

  • Fingers (if you allow sensory exploration)

Encourage them to compare:

  • Fine vs. coarse textures

  • Light vs. dark grains

  • Hard vs. soft materials

5. Shake Off Extras

Children gently shake excess grain off onto the newspaper-covered surface.

These can be discarded easily or poured back into the pans (if materials are clean).

Vocabulary to Introduce

  • Grain – a tiny seed used to make food.

  • Flour – ground grain used to make bread.

  • Texture – how something feels.

  • Collage – a picture made by gluing different things onto paper.

Keep language simple and hands-on:

“Feel this grain… Is it soft? Scratchy? Bumpy? Smooth?”

Cleanup Tips

  • Use cotton swabs so you can throw them away afterwards.

  • Glue containers can be tossed for quick cleanup.

  • Fold newspapers inward to collect flour without mess.

Optional Science Discussion

During or after the art activity, ask:

  • “Which grain feels the softest?”

  • “Which grain is the bumpiest?”

  • “Which grain is used to make bread?”

  • “Does this grain roll or stick?”

You can also show real bread or pictures of loaves and ask:

  • “Which grain do you think made this kind of bread?”

This builds early understanding of where food comes from.

✨ Extension Activities

1. Grain Sensory Bottles

Add flour, cornmeal, and oatmeal into clear plastic bottles for shaking and observing.

2. Grain Sorting

Provide small bowls of grains for students to pinch and sort (supervised).

3. Bread Tasting (Allergy-Aware)

Taste-test white bread vs. whole wheat bread.
Discuss flavors, colors, and textures.

4. Make Grain Shapes

Have students paint glue in the shape of a letter (like the first letter of their name) and sprinkle a single type of grain.

5. Story Tie-In

Read a book about grains or bread, such as The Little Red Hen.

Assessment

Can the student:

  • Identify at least one grain by name?

  • Describe a texture with simple words (soft, bumpy, rough)?

  • Use glue and grains correctly?

  • Write or attempt to write their name?

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