On July 1st of last year I got this batch of young punks, fresh out of 1st grade. They were still wet behind the ears. Some of them were only 6 years old and still colicky. If I were the boss of things I would say that’s too little for 2nd grade, but what do I know? I made it through these last 12 calamitous months with the chattiest loudest class of my career thus far. It didn’t help matters that I moved into a new classroom every 6 weeks. Fortunately, somewhere in the 4th inning plenty of you started sending art & scrapbook supplies to the rescue.
Visual journals were born. Today while I prepared for my last move of the year the kiddos made beautiful messes in their books. They showed me each page and explained everything in the kind of detail only a chatty 7 year old extrovert knows how to do. While they talked I prepared scrap packs for them to put in their boxes and take home.
Next year I hold the keys to the supply castle. Entrance is granted by showing me what they’re working on. I’m a realist. I know this will not be all of them. That’s okay. I already know who will continue their art practice outside of school. They’re the ones who tap me several times a day and say, “LOOK what I found!!! I’m going to put it in my BOX and use it in my visual journal!!!” They find things on the ground, in the trash, at home, on the street, at the 99cent Store, on my desk.
These finder kids are the ones who will come over next year and help show the new batch of young punks how to navigate through the world of visual journals.
My limited storage space is FILLED TO THE BRIM with more scrap, ribbons, stickers, paper, images, hole punches, decorative scissors, fancy brads, paint, etc., etc., than you can possibly believe. So I don’t need anything else now, but when I do you’ll be the first to know. Thank you a thousand times over.
You’ll never know exactly how thrilling it is for these inner city kids living in apartments (some have huge extended families of 6-10 people crammed in a 1-2 bedroom apt.) to get their hands on all of this STUFF. They delight in each sticker. The tiniest bit of sparkly paper elicits high voltage screams. And it really is a gift that keeps on giving.
Think of me tomorrow when I say good bye to the chatterboxes and close this chapter of the book.
I’ll miss them.
What I like best about the whole thing is the shoe box of their own to take home. We moved frequently when I was a child and I could take a shoe box of my “stuff” even when most of our things got put into storage and I treasured that shoe box as a life line. It’s where I kept my crayons, Prang watercolors and scissors, still my favorite supplies. I still love cigar boxes and shoe boxes and use them for storage -when I actually put things up- all the time. Thanks for including us in this year long journey. smooches
I have to tell you just how wonderful it is to read about your kids and your class activities. I want to be in your class! I am sure that you have such an enormous, positive effect on these children. Just think, you are one of ‘those’ teachers that we think about from time to time as we are growing adults, right? Neat! Let us know when you need supplies so that my family can send some your way! You’re great!!!!
Wow. That has GOT to be one of the most difficult moments. Hope is was bitterSWEET. Look at all they’ve accomplished. I believe it was on Thursday, the day this was posted, that I spent quite a few hours ruminating on how creating things improves lives, opens worlds, embarks us on a future. How it can heal people. It healed me, and I never forget that. You are such an avenue for these little punks. I know you just do what you do, but so do we all. Power to the creative! Power to the crafters! Power to the people who find things on your desk and keep them for later use!
But the reason I’m here is, can I have some of that stuff you’ve got?
Oh, MA, don’t those journal pages just fly??? And don’t those eyes of all those little artists just make you want to grin and weep and hug the stuffing out of them? I am soooooo impressed with what they create and so thankful that you have been there for them, to start them off so beautifully on their art journeys. I hope we hear of how they progress and grow and expand upon your wonderful foundation.
Your journals ain’t nothin’ to sneeze at, either, my dear!!!
Happy summer. I will now return to MY grandchildren.
M
I have 4, count ’em four, 7 year old grandkids and they are the dearest, most exuberant, affectionate, creative…need I go on? I love this age.
I can only imagine how the visual journals your kids made in class will affect them for the rest of their lives. They will all be explorers and see the gold in every piece of dirt.
My ex-high school art teacher husband says that the future art teachers these kids will encounter will thank you.
You, my dear, Mary Ann will be one of those unforgettable teachers.
You’re creating tomorrow’s artists. Some of their pages were more interesting than some I’ve seen adults do!! Be sure to tell us when you need more stuff. I will be more than happy to contribute.
As I watched the Pure Experimentation videos this morning, I kept thinking about what would happen if those kids had the paints as well as all the art supplies they had.
Pure Chaos???
🙂
I hope your last day with them was more sweet than sorrowful.
that brought tears to my eyes. I just spent the last month teaching visual journaling to a bunch of 7 year olds but these kids are the privileged, the middle class. they still squealed over sparkly bits found on the ground. but the main difference is that i can just see your kids being so appreciative of their box, their journals, a space of their own in a world where that may be the only space they can truly control and call theirs. what a beautiful gift.
Oy the last day of school, the happiest and saddest all rolled into one big lump of the throat. That was precisely why I went to the high school level to teach developmentally delayed teenagers. Then i could keep them for a long time!!!!!!!!!!
Enjoy your time.
I hear ya ~ I work with adults who have developmental disabilities. I taught a 12 week altered book / visual journal class to 10 folks. It’s always so amazing to create with people who appreciate every scrap we can supply and who are so creatively inclined that had I not had scraps to share they would have come up with something brilliant anyway. Our books were on display for an entire month at our local library. It was a triumph of unequaled proportion in this neck of the woods. As is your work as monkey whisperer. I appreciate you!
Awesome. Totally butt-kicking awesome. Thinking of you and the kids all day; then bring on the sweet freedom of summer. xoxxoxoxox
I would love to see one of your classes in action. Sounds like an LA visit to me! Have a monkey-punk-alicous vacation. btw, dh says we liked all we ate (no surprise there..) and didn’t seem to have fish very often. I’d forgotten about the rice AND potatoes but darn those potatoes were good. They had taste!
once again, I find myself wishing we taught at the same school. The reason these children are so beautiful is your love for them.
Oh
I will miss them too!
Beauty-Full post, thank you.
Yknow they will be singing your praises for a looooooooong time, eh…
“Remember Miss Moss?” “Oh yeah the crazy art lady…. have you seen my latest journal?”
: )
xxx
YOu are creating the artists of the future.
Some day some monkey will cite YOU as their muse…
Their journal pages are amazing! I wish I had their spontaneity.
I love that class, too. thanks for letting us share in the joy of visual journaling in your class. You be SURE to let us know when the supply closet starts to empty!
These kids are amazing. They have an amazing teacher, too. It shows. They GLOW.
Thank you, Mary Ann, for taking us along as you rode herd over these adorable and mischievous little broncos. Congratulations to all of you for such a wonderful year.
I am *SWOONING* over these children, and their discovery of an artistic voice.
Job well done!!
What a great project. Can see this will create lasting memories.
Love “if we don’t get there we’ll call 911” “oh”
🙂 lol.
Love what that youngster did with the sewing lines on the sails!