Reads: What the Art Teacher Reads

  

Sir Ken Robinson is one of my favourite authors when it comes to educational reads. Try watching his TED talks if you are short of time. Although the author comments about the educational system which may be beyond the control of most teachers, to our students, the system is us. There are some changes which teachers could do to make students feel that attending school is worthwhile. For some, being physically present pose no problem but engaging mind, body and heart is something to consider. Rather than think about IF ONLY I HAVE...THEN I WILL...Why not make do with what you have, wherever you are.

Art Club: Welcoming Newbies

Dusting off some old frames and customising their welcome tags. Welcoming our Primary Three/ Four freshies to Art Club!

Art Class: Spaces/ Places

Happy Chinese New Year Eve!

We are starting the new year with an extended space - An Art Gallery cum storage space.

There is high interest generated in the KonMarie bandwagon and I think it isn't the simple the act of packing. In the videos, Marie Kondo always emphasize on the importance of packing as a family. Each family member are encouraged to take responsibility for the well-being of the house. In practice, it is usually the woman who does the domestic chores and keeping everything together. Many of my students have domestic help at home, even with affordable, outsourced help, children should learn basic responsibility of helping out in the household. After all, it is up to the family members to make their house their home. 

When all the burdens fall on one person in the family, relationship is easily strained. There is no need to watch all the episodes to also be aware that cheap fashion caused neurological pleasure and that highlighted an issue of consumerism. 

Indeed, packing the art rooms IS a daunting task (not to mention now that we have 3!) but I'm thankful that many people were involved to make this possible. The original occupants - the language teachers had to vacate the space and move their belongings to another classroom before some renovation can take place. A substantial amount of movement to pack and unpack so we had to do them over a few months. The bulk of the work were completed during the school holidays. The aunties and uncles helped to make way by shifting all the desks and chairs elsewhere. Finally, arrangement had to be made with contractors to put up new lighting and shelves. 

The beneficiary of the new space are the lucky students and their artworks would invade the new place soon.