Walking to the classroom this morning, lunch bag/purse-toter girl and I stop to take a photo of the city all around us shrouded in fog. It’s helpful to have an assistant when my hands need to do other things. Like snap pictures.
I was overwhelmed by the generous response to yesterday’s post. I honestly was not fishing for handouts and didn’t anticipate so many kind offers to send supplies to our class. Nevertheless, it couldn’t have come at a more opportune time than NOW. Our school budget is frozen, huge layoffs will be occuring soon all across the district. No money to turn the wheels of the big machine.
No matter, people with fork arms will continue to be created.
Upside down lips and teeth will continue to get pasted onto little heads. Fruit cakes will continue to make their way onto hungry pages. Young minds will continue to spin with gigantic ideas.
And though I appreciate the sentiment in your accolades I am undeserving of such praise. I am an average teacher with occasional bouts of greatness. No aw-shucks false modesty at work here. Just telling it like it is. Besides you haven’t seen me with a bee in my bonnet.
Blood? I thought the fork-person had remarkably good boogers. Isn’t that what fork hands are for?? Love the eyes and lips overlays. Must try that myself!
Sounds like you will get a ton of stuff. After you sort it all out, send me an email with a wish list. We’ve gotta keep the kids all shiny and new. They are all we’ve got!
Mary Ann – you and your kids are expanding and fluffing my heart – I have taught “art” to kids – albeit privately for many years – your presence and your context is ever more challenging and potent – you are my champion – my flag of freedom – you tell me what you need and if I have it I will send it out…
much love to all of you
such inspiration you offer us all
xox – eb.
okay, here’s the deal.
I just drew a picture of myself in my first journal, with blood coming out my nose, and now I see someone has stolen my idea.
How do I get ahead?!? HUH? HOW!
I have to let you know your last post did not come off like you were fishing for supplies. I’m venturing a guess that people offer to help, because if they are like me, they remember how important it is to feel you are good at some thing in school and how useful art can be to that end. That and a teacher who is willing to share their joy. Thanks for sharing how you create and how the kids create. Mary
oh susan that cricket story is YUM. love love love it! ditto on the bug killing. except mine all squeal like a baby pig farm while I catch & release.
The directness and honesty of this art, with simple-almost-obvious explanation (then, somehow, not) is humbling. Reminder to me to chill out in my own pages, just show it and tell it like it is, leave the nonsense and fancy-pants clutter out. Am loving this; am thankful to be a small contributor to it!
P.S. To Susan, above — the cricket story is PRICELESS!
I would LOVE to send your class art supplies. I definitely have some to spare.
I am always happy to see photos of the monkeys and NOW! Monkeys In Action and Word! even better! – it causes me to use too many exclamation marks!
Kindergarten story: Rescued cricket in jar (we don’t kill bugs & spiders in our room), Angel (also ESL) comes to me & says
“We are reading to the cricket to calm him down. (large cluster of kids around table) We are reading spider books to him and I think it’s working”
me: How do you know?
“Cuz he’s not moving so much anymore.”
I am in the process of “destashing” my art room, and would love to send it to a place where it will be well used! I teach also…but our art budget is plenty big enough. Can you send me an addy to be used?
Doncha just love the freedom of kid art?
How old are these munchkins?