9 Sept 2007

learning to teach


My 2nd prac is well underway with my first week of full time teaching last week. Only two weeks to go and then I am finsihed. The class is challenging to say the least, but it is good, it is like behaviour management 101.
We are doing heaps of hands on stuff as much as they are difficult to keep organised and focused. Our science unit is on the needs and life cycle of plants and we are sprouting and growing beans, testing the needs of air, water, temperature and soil, and are also exploring competition in the environment, the effect of salinity of soil and drought.

Inspiration comes from everyday life
This art pic above is my 2 min example for the kids. It is based on the work of Margaret Preston, and Australian artist who loved to paint and print wildflowers. This pic is of the Sturt Desert Pea. Some children made such great pieces. It is made by having a heavy background on oil pastels and then covering with thick black paint and scrapping back the drawing into the paint, very effective.
It reminds me of these new dyeing styles I had been working with a few months ago, I might try to tie the two together for summer (if no one copies my idea before then ;) but I'll still do it if they do anyway LOL).

break from business

wow, didn't realise it had been so long since I had updated my blog. I am taking a break from business for a month or so until I finish study and make some great stuff for friends. I have some new ideas when I start selling again in October and will open to custom requests for both dyeing and painting.
I will have a large stock of spirals and mandala pieces for the spring/summer, and will again have many hand stenciled tees and singlets. I do the majority of my stenciling with dye so the fabric stays soft (unlike paint) and it will not fade or chip off.
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