Art Club: ArtScience Project

We have just begin our ArtScience project this semester. In the previous week, we visited Art Science Museum for an excursion and to experience interactive art installations. We were also very lucky to have a pupil's father, Mr Joshi, an ex-engineer came to speak to the pupils. The point of the talk is to let pupils be aware that knowledge don't occur in isolation so it is important to be competent in different subjects. He used real-life examples in his work to explain about the importance of collaboration.

The upper primary pupils are working together in pre-allocated groups of 4. Each group has at least one P4 and P5 pupils to ensure cross-level sharing. Their first lesson was introductory play with electronic components (Batteries, crocodile clips, LEDs, small bulb, DC motor, copper tape, bulb holder, buzzer). I give them a brief introduction and told them the function of each component. With the components, they are supposed to figure out how to complete a closed circuit by lighting up LEDs/ bulbs and sound the buzzer.

If you would like to try them out yourself, head to Sim Lim Tower to purchase your electronic components! Alternative, you can enroll in Coursera.org to do a free course on Tinkering Fundamentals. There are also more information on Exploratorium website for projects with real-world connections.

Art Class: Cleanup Contest

I started this cleanup contest in the beginning of the year as I dread seeing children taking their own sweet time to clean up the art room. This "contest" is a good way for the children to master telling time in a context. I encourage them to write in terms of minutes and seconds while translating what they see in this digital version of time. 

During cleanup time, it does look quite chaotic but the job gets done very quickly. Making everyone doing the cleanup means that they are learning to work together as a class. They also become empathetic because they would take initiative to help others to clean up their mess after they are done with theirs.   

A few weeks ago, I had someone from a P1 class said that cleaning is not for boys. I was fuming mad when I heard this. I confronted the 7-year-old boy and he claimed that his father taught him. At home, his sister and mother does all the household chores and he do not need to lift a finger to help. I couldn't believe my ears. An existence of a patriarchal household in the 21st century! Needless to say, he has to play his part in school.

This article comes timely. An open statement for everyone. It could be apt for a society like ours when some children are being served by an adult e.g. domestic helpers (see this article for a film regarding the issue) and assumed that the world only revolves around him/her.

Art Class: Building with Straws

The Primary Ones are building with straws for the past few weeks. We used Strawbees® so that the children can continue to make 3D work and the connectors enable them to make something bigger than themselves. The children were given limited resources on their first lesson and they competed to build the tallest sculpture. Subsequently, the lessons focused on building smaller units and making joints for utilitarian purpose. 

Art Class: Our Artist Talk

As an early career teacher, I have heard my fair share of advice from other teachers. One of them told me that the best students often have endless opportunities, if you can provide (the opportunities), give it to those who need it the most. She was referring to those students who are always so outstanding holistically that their names would always appears in mind or representing the school in something. They are also the ones who are likely to clinch awards and be selected for certain roles in school. The teacher said, look out for the mediocre students. They are also capable of doing a good job if given the same opportunity but they are more likely to be overlooked because they are less hungry. I think her bottom line is the best gets better overtime with practice while the average just remain average and in no time the gap becomes wider.

Talent alone don't feed you. Team work is emphasized in class as some children's self-centeredness scares me. 

Last week, some Primary One pupils spoke about their artmaking experiences to the public. It was held at Scape Mall at The Ground Theater. They wrote their own script first in school and after interviewing them, their own words are translated to a script. Since they are the ones presenting so using their own words would beat mine.

It was great to see parents cheering for the children (not necessary theirs) and I think the proudest moment would be to witness your own child growing from a struggling reader to someone who could read fluently in front of an audience. Credit goes to their parents for being so supportive and involved in their children's interest. Definitely purposeful learning for everyone. Guess the advice came in handy after all.