13 reflections from the past year and 14 to look forward to (in no particular order)
2. Sketchbook circle. This follows on from above, and is something I discovered via Twitter. Basically, I do some drawings, paintings, photography etc. on a theme of my choice in a sketchbook each month. At the end of the month I send it on to someone else in the circle and they then develop, add, change, alter, deconstruct, reconstruct, combine, shred etc etc it. At the same time I receive one from someone else and I do the same in response to their pages. It's very, very exciting and is always such a lovely surprise as it drops through my letterbox - you never know what will be inside! My daughter was so desperate to open mine when it arrived, and now wants to make her own version to send off to my recipient as a little Christmas bonus! . |
6. Twitter - what more do I need to say? The power of social networking is incredible and this year I have had the absolute pleasure of sharing, chatting, pondering and sometimes meeting some of the stars from Twitter. There are way too many to name, but I'm going to pick out a few. The amazing @Jobaker9 who created #artcubed as a place for art teachers(and others too) to post 9 pics from their day. It has been a pleasure to be part of, and is also such a great resource which I use not only for my own inspiration but also to share with my students in lessons. To see work from other schools and to know that I am sharing theirs with others is so powerful. I love it, and it is a great opportunity at the end of a busy day to sit down, look at the pictures you have taken, and reflect. My students actually ask me to take pictures of their work to share now, and remind me if I haven't taken any, "Miss, is your battery flat or something?" I must also mention #artdropbox which for an art teacher is like a sweet shop full of oil paints (another Hansel and Gretel moment...) This was set up by @pennyprileszky and I am eternally grateful to her for this. You need a resource, it's 11.55pm, but don't worry as there will be something in here that you can use. So many amazing art teachers have contributed and long may it continue. |
9. A wishing tree. I saw this idea on Twitter from Cramlington Learning Village, and thought it looked incredible.It's so important every now and again for us all to slow down and just reflect - think about ourselves and those special ones around us. So in the final 2 weeks of this long hard term, students in art lessons all made 3 wishes and wrote them on a handmade tag.I knew it would be emotional, but I had no idea how heart wrenching it would be. I asked each student at the start of each lesson to write their 3 hopes, dreams, wishes or aspirations for the future. Some found it challenging, others wrote with ease, and the anonymous nature of the act led to some highly personal and emotional wishes. Each student placed them in my hand and stood in front of me while I read them to myself. I then looked up into their eyes and sometimes smiled or just nodded: I understood. In those brief precious moments, I learned so much more about them than any assessment could ever tell me - it was very very special. I would highly recommend making one - but make sure you have plenty of tissues handy. |
2. Reading more - not sure that there are enough hours in the day or night for this, and it would also mean that we have to buy more bookcases and perhaps a third floor extension to the house.
3. I'm very excited about collaborating with and visiting some of my new found Twitter and Facebook NSEAD colleagues. If anyone would like to participate in a school sketchbook circle project, give me a shout.
4. This one is really exciting - to make a wish/dream come true for one of my students. She wrote on her wish tag that she would love to do a small spaces project with George Clarke and convert a double decker bus. I tagged him into a picture of the tweet, he replied, and said that he'd love to meet her. Watch this space...(I'm currently hunting for old horse boxes, containers, ice cream vans, milk floats etc to convert into a purpose built quirky exhibition/gallery space!)
5. It is my aim to be a more organised Curriculum Leader this term/year. My team are great and are very patient, but they too realise that I still have loads to learn.
6. To write comments in my own childrens' reading records at least 3 times a week(without having to be reminded).
7.Next Summer I would love to take my family to Kielder to a dark sky site and see the Milky Way really clearly.
8. I must find the time to create a collaborative English/poetry/art project with my work colleague @KerryPulleyn. So exciting!
9. To produce a creative response to my moreTEA matchbox. People who attended the Time for TEA symposium in November were given a matchbox. Inside this was a single match with a word written on the side. My word was 'bleached' - this is my starting point from which to develop work connected to the First World War. It will be interesting to see how the 200 or so matchboxes inspire people. I must remember to add my own responses and work to the blog.
10. I am looking forward to expanding our vegetable garden at home by building 2 raised beds for the children to have as their own. They already have plans!
11. Develop, promote and instil an 'Ethic of Excellence' within our faculty . Having shown the video of Austin's butterfly to all of my students and team, and discussed its meaning- we are in the right frame of mind.This book is such a powerful and enlightening read, and I would love to have been one of Ron Berger's students.
12. I'm looking forward to seeing how #artcubed and #artdropbox develops, and am sure that I will continue to be inspired by what I see on it on a daily basis.
13. To try to be a better mum and wife. The wishing tree really hit home with me and made me realise how important it is for children to have their parents listen to them and give some of their time. There were far too many "I wish my mum didn't say she was busy all the time" type comments. I will make every effort not to say "I'm too busy".
14. Although I really don't like surprises, I love serendipity, and feel that there will be many more of these little happy accidents which bring people together for the right reasons this year. I can't wait :-)