Playing

City Life

I am preparing a new class for a new, and older audience, so I have been considering ways to offer my students some accessible and fun projects that will encourage them to want to play with art, and make it a regular and enjoyable part of their lives.

In my own studio, I am still struggling to create strong abstract images with acrylics. To help, and to free my creative juices, I  am currently working through some of the exercises in a book, Painting Abstracts, by Rolina a Van Vliet. I have found the most success by following her suggestions for using lines to create interesting and dynamic compositions. She also has ideas for using different media to create with - and basically, if she mentions it, I have it somewhere in my collection of art supplies - my favorite toys.

So, this week's work has turned out to be a productive one. I played with some new techniques, tried out some new color pencils, and developed several project ideas that I think will please my new class. All this while having a fun and relaxing time being creative.

Next in Line(s)

The top image, (10x12 on heavy watercolor paper) combines marker with water color pencil and water to get a variety of textures.


The bottom is the same size, but done in a combination of color markers and color pencils. I especially enjoyed using lines to create shapes and motion, and then building color in cross hatches and overlays. Fun ...

From the Heart: 12 Things that You Can Do for Your Schools and Community

Teachers (and mentors and anyone who works with kids)  need all the help they can get, so, today, some ideas for how parents and community volunteers can help enrich classrooms and afterschool programs, and, at the same time, support kids.

1. Teach what you know. Offer a workshop on personal finance, watercolor painting, organic gardening or Russian folktales. Your perspective and knowledge can enrich any lesson or project. Design a presentation, or some activities and materials around your area of expertise so that even when you have left the building, your knowledge stays behind.
2. Volunteer in after-school workshops, classroom enrichment, or tutoring to small groups of interested participants (kids and/or adults).
3. Teach the teacher or mentor. Are you an educator, a technology professional, a therapist? In what ways can your professional skills be used to help the people who work one on one with your kids? Be creative, be willing to help. Do not push!
4. Spend some money, (if you can). Sponsor a class or building membership in an organization (such as one for gifted learners.) Sponsor an Artist in the School, or provide art supplies, educational software, books (used can be great) or a subscription to a publication that either kids or teachers can use and enjoy.
5. Spend your time. Assist teachers by making or locating materials they need for special (and regular) activities. Update the website, edit a parent newsletter, ask … how can I help? Ask again.
6. Connect with the community. Help busy teachers by taking the time to locate mentors for kids with special needs, resources for families, and other community people who have skills and knowledge that will enrich the classroom and fill the needs you see.
7. Communicate with other parents and community members. (See update the website above). Encourage them to participate in parent groups, classroom and building activities, and to chose from the items on this list so that they too can help to enrich the school environment.
8. Translate information, or be willing to communicate with families in whatever way is needed.
9. Who do you know? Do you someone with an interesting career? Someone whose experiences would be of interest and value to kids? Is there someone who can bring music, or art, or culture into the classroom? Arrange for guest speakers. TIP: Also, ask people with special knowledge or expertise to recommend (or provide) resources, websites, books or magazines so that kids will be able to continue their learning.
10. Collaborate with teachers, other parents and students to coordinate and participate in special events. You might: Invite an author for a literary evening, a story teller, direct a play, publish and distribute a collections of resources, run a Family Math or Science Night, design and plant a garden, host a dinner, organize a cultural fair.
11. Show YOUR love of learning. Support what you believe in. Model the behaviors you value.
12. Get involved.

Benefits of Volunteering with Kids - from the Volunteer's Point of View

I recently heard a friend discussing her experiences as a SMART (Start Making A Reader Today) volunteer. Her comments gave me a new perspective on volunteering, and inspired me to sign up at a local school to volunteer my time as well.

My friend is studying Spanish these days, developing her own language and literacy in a second language. To complete her course requirements she is expected to do a service project in the community.

Because she loves “reading, kids and practicing Spanish,” her choice to become a SMART volunteer at a bilingual school was a natural. My friend “loves what she is doing” because she has a strong belief in the importance of literacy, in any language. She believes that the love of reading is a key to positive school experiences for every child.

What was inspiring for me was the chance to hear her talk about all the benefits that SHE is getting from her volunteer work. She is discovering schools outside of her neighborhood, and seeing firsthand the work these schools are doing to make kids feel comfortable and able to learn. She is working with kids from different cultures, and seeing how schools have changed since her own kids were young.

She is also enjoying the chance to discover new books in Spanish, meet and spend time with kids (from lots of different cultures and backgrounds), and most of all, practice speaking Spanish with native speakers (savvy first graders), who are helping HER build her skills too.
If you are a mentor or volunteer, please share some of the things you get from the experience.