As this year closes I wonder how many of my craft monkeys will keep their journals in safe places. How many will survive until old age? Maybe only a few.
I went into a 3rd grade class this week and asked last year’s students if any of them still worked in their visual journals. No one raised their hands. Several kids lost theirs. 1 girl threw hers in the trash. In the trash. The trash.
That made me very sad. Unfortunately kids, like grownups, don’t always value what is given to them free of charge. Last year’s bunch was sent out of the class on the last day with bags brimming with supplies. With such a bounty raining down on them I think they were less appreciative than this year’s group. But I am learning about how to conduct visual journaling in the classroom. It can be a difficult river to navigate. This second year of doing it felt richer, truer.
As for last year’s group, I’m trying to think of that time as the Tibetan monks think of their sand paintings. All of that patient, quiet effort… and then they blow away. But still I wonder about the glib girl who threw hers in the trash.
This year the only thing the craft monkeys are leaving with are these last visual journals. I’ll happily give them supplies if they come visit and show me what they’re working on creatively. Happily.
If they are intrinsically motivated to create they will put forth effort to gather supplies of their own. That effort might bloom. Something lasting might grow.
Many of this year’s punks actively collect things from home to put inside the pages. Some of them carry their journals home to share with family and friends. They carry photos back to the classroom to glue inside. They tear pages out of magazines in the dentist’s office. They bring the entire newspaper to class and pass out to the other kids. “Find pictures!” They save worksheets that comes with an illustration. They use their whole coloring book as collage fodder and swap pages with each other. They bring stickers from home. I love how they think.
Last year’s journals were much cleaner, more design worthy, less haphazard. This year I have loosened up my standards of what is acceptable. Basically anything goes.
More looseness leads to more creativity in the end. More spontaneity leads to more meaning. And the meaning is what I think will create the value, a sense of preciousness. Because these books are precious.
Misspelled words and all.
Last year I collected the journals after each session. This year they keep them on their desks. Some kids sneak them home. I pretend I don’t know. They write on the pages. I want badly to say, “Are you SURE you want to write with a red felt marker?” But I hold my tongue.
I recently got them a class set of gel pens. They’re learning to doodle, make marks, draw letters.
We gather in a circle after each session and they talk about what they did. I have high hopes that some of this will take hold and root. But even if it doesn’t, I know it was worthwhile. I know it was worthwhile.
Awesome post, Mary Ann! Having just finished my first year of journaling with my elementary kids (in art class), I really appreciate your sharing this. I use your posts as a guage for my kids! I am with you, wondering if they ‘got’ it….but keeping faith that the ones who should, will receive what they need, for now. The “thank you’s” won’t start rolling in, till about 10 years from now!
I once had an art teacher give me an “art smart bag” over summer vacation in the 4th grade and I NEVER forgot her or the bag! The bag was full of art projects and goodies that made my summer amazingly fun! My mom couldn’t afford (and didn’t even know what Michael’s was…) the things she put in that bag, and I’m so thankful she did that for me! Art has always been a part of my life, I may have stopped for a few years, but I’m 21 now, I’ve been art journaling for about 3 years now and am perusing my bachelors in Graphic Design. And I know where it all started 😀
Even if the kids don’t appreciate it now, they will!
I keep a journal like this with my daughter who is 3 1/2. Lasting habits do take with some. she is constantly picking up stuff and thinking about her journal. You inspire me. Thank you.
The seeds have been planted … that is what educators do. You’ve shown them a path to creativity and even if they don’t follow that path today … it’s imprinted in their memory. I admire what you do!
aw, i love these…the trash…oh my…i cannot even image…such lovely art anywhere but in your lap,or your hands…you are a good soul…blessings to you Eden
Of course it’s worthwhile! These kids now know what it is to create art. They have knowledge and a skill they can use throughout life. Not every kid is creative or has the artistic heart. Trash Girl was probably a lost cause anyway – but even though she threw it in the trash, she’ll still remember it. Maybe she’ll make another someday. And the few who are the true artists at heart will treasure this experience and probably keep their journals all their lives. All you can do is cast the seeds, and trust that a few will grow – and those few are definitely worth it.
wow. I’m going to have to print these comments because I don’t have time to read them now.
One of the rare joys I find in creating something visual is that it calms down my analytical and cools off my cynical. In short, it shows me that ephemeral is valuable. Not only is it valuable, it can’t be argued with. Its very nature is ephemeral and nothing I can do will change that. You know that in their lives the memories are the most they will keep and have. She didn’t believe, and she threw out her work. But one day I really think she will pick journaling back out of the trash and believe in herself even if just for a few moments. maybe someone said something derisive about it. Someone in her family whose approbation she needed. Who knows? They are going to remember. That’s what happens when the ACTIVE production of those journals is going on. You plant seeds. Some of them die and some just rest until another season. Besides all that, just showing us what is going on there in that circle of energy makes changes in us as well.
I LOVE this.
They may not appreciate you right now, but the values and ideas that you learn in childhood do stay with you for the rest of your life. They will remember you and probably even pass on to some of their children what you have taught them. It is very worthwhile! You are a wonderful teacher.
I agree with the post above about the girl who threw hers away. When you are so proud of something and get no response or worse you get a negative one it just ruins it for you. As an adult you just never share you awesomeness with that person again. As a child you don’t know how to deal with. So sad, maybe one day she will get it. Others opinions don’t matter, it’s what makes you happy that matters.
So if only one child walks out of your class and decides to make art part of their life that is something great. That child will always remember you, how you inspired them and how you made a difference in their life:)
I haven’t read all 37 of the comments here but it occurs to me that perhaps the child who threw her journal in the bin got negative comments from her family. As we’ve so often said, it’s wonderful when you show your journal to someone who ‘gets it’ – but the opposite must be devastating to a child who has put only one foot so far on the creative ladder.
On the other hand, when a parent throws something away that’s precious, it’s even worse. My mother did that because she was mentally ill and wanted to clear everything out of our lives so I don’t blame her in the least.
Oh! I didn’t mean to go all confessional on you! But who else but MAM would understand?
I am sure that the work that you did in the Journals with the first class made a lasting impression and it will be rmembered in some parts of their monkey psychy’s and will reappear at some point later on. As for the girl who threw her Journal out- she will probably regret it- hopefully she will revisit the expereince. With teaching the little ones all we can do is exposethem to the idea’s and the FREEDOM and give them lots of opportun ity to express themselves and thne let them go. I am ABSOLUTELY POSITIVE that this Journaling experience has given them very valuable tools to navigate their lives. WHo knows who will need to Jouranl to deal with the inevitable problems that life will lay at their feet. What you have taught them is invaluable- Priceless!!!!!
Giving the m the time the freedom and the RED FELT markers for writing without any judgement or interference is such a huge gift that only a very few can give!!!!!
BRavo to You! You are a STAR!!!!!!!!
All I can say, my dear, is you are making more of a difference than you know. Those seeds once planted will go on to become what they are meant to be, they may lie dormant for years, but a little digging and some nurturing and they will sprout and bloom. Rest assured that you are making a difference. Bravo to you for tilling the soil!
It is absolutely worthwhile. It isn’t about what they make. It’s about the joy and the learning that they can make from anything. Children have an amazing capacity to live right in the moment. They don’t think about gathering evidence of their living. It just is.
It isn’t just the children learning. You’ve motivated some of your readers to share their making with the small ones in their lives. You’ve provided other readers the opportunity to share their joy by giving their excess supplies to your class. All completely worthwhile.
You motivated me to teach an art journaling class to the students from my son’s school that attend a 3 day camp out. I teach 2 classes, 1.5 hours each. I just taught it for the second year. There were girls who came running up to me at camp asking me if I was Tanner’s mom. When I said yes, they began jumping up and down, saying they took my class last year and had signed up again this year. They couldn’t wait to tell me how much they were looking forward to it. One of them even brought the journal she made last year. This year, I learned one of the boys (there was only one in each class) told his mom it was the best class he’d ever taken. Those children would not have had the opportunity to take those classes if you hadn’t inspired me.
Your teaching your kids, has a far bigger impact than you can imagine and I for one am grateful for the impact you’ve had in my life. It’s been pretty amazing. I’m far more confident as a result of the experiences I’ve had inspired by your teaching.
alright, I have to put my small one to bed. Thanks for all the sharing you do here!
Ohh…don’t fret MAM you are leaving a big impression on young minds because you are giving them permission to express and explore their imaginations! As a young child I traveled all over the world and changed schools sometimes 2-3 times each year…I started my first scrapbook (yeah before it was cool) and I have every birthday card I received from 1st grade on up. I also kept a lot of my poems, artwork and memorabilia in it. My kids get a kick out of it when they come home and pull it out on their own…so what you are doing is so WORTH IT! Love you girl…teachers rock:D
It is so worthwhile, I will join the chorus of your supporters. I have seen that this year’s journals are deeper, but I saw on the faces of last year’s students that they were also thrilled and proud. Maybe the girl who said that she put hers in the trash didn’t mean it, or maybe she has a mother who doesn’t want “clutter”.
What you are doing truly matters, and it brings a catch to my throat every time I see the pictures and read your words about teaching the punks. Lucky, lucky punks.
It is so worthwhile! The little girl who threw her’s away – that had to come from her parents. Kellie keeps and hangs everything she makes. Square glued to paper – HANG THAT ON THE FRIDGE!!! by golly it’s awesome! and she hangs it with pride. If their parents don’t value what they’ve worked on – they wont either and they will lose the desire to make more. I think it’s great that your new group has had to look for things themselves – they have more invested in their journals. You’ve taught them how to look at things differently how to be more aware and more creative. Last years kids just glued what you gave them – no blood sweat and tears if you know what I mean. Not all kids are crafty though and they may not make more or keep their journals, but they will still have learned some valuable lessons through the process of making them in your class. You are awesome.
My Dear Moss Cottage, How wonderful to read this. Your giving them seeds that may not sprout for years and each one will have diffrent watering sunshine feeding amounts but they will bloom and because a wonderful loving ,caring ,teacher took the time for them. Im many years on this earth and I dreamed of teachers like you who guided you instead of wearing you down. Who looked at you as ONE and not as all. Thank you my dear for we need compasonit teachers like you. I know I was one of those shy not quick students that failed in school and no one ever took the time this turned into me quieting in the 10th grade and have suffered this all my life. But with trying to teach myself and trying really HARD and not being hard on myself I made this lifes journey but oh how I needed and wanted a speical teacher like you!!Keep up they really need you.
Alway’s
Linda
Very Worthwhile. I agree with what everyone else has shared here. Your efforts to give them an environment where they are open to explore those inner parts of their lives through bits, scraps, papers, colors, all of it…it takes a long time to grow a tree..from seed to such a thing of beauty and that will give back so much…gosh that made me remember the Giving Tree, ‘come boy, I have nothing left but you can rest here on my stump’ that’s not an exact translation by any means. Some of those seeds are going to bloom full out, tho it may take a long time..some of them might one day as an adult remember that ‘awesome teacher’ who taught them it was ok to write with a red marker and it just might be the girl who threw her’s in the trash. She’ll want it back one day. And of course life for a child is always about being in the moment, I know some of them must carry heavy burdens that they shouldn’t have to, but they still go out into the world one day at a time so a journal that meant much one day, well, maybe that journal will get shoved under a bed and maybe down the road they find it and want to put something else on a page.
Both my DD’s have had art in their lives from day one. I have an attic full of each and every piece they ever made, boxes with their first drawings. One year I printed 12 different pages of art and made them into calendars for family. I had them bound at Kinko’s. EAch of them has pieces displayed around the house. Various vessels from ceramics class and pottery hold my pens, paint brushes, penny’s, and some serve as a place to display art. But it took years for all of it to really stick, now as teenagers they have become much more eager about their art, and they still waver about when it matters to them, but I know they look at the world around them with eyes that see beyond what might be right in front of them. They notice the tiniest of things.
Mary, Ann, every second you gave them, every scrap, every piece of paper, it all touched them in some way, some maybe deeper than others but it WAS all worthwhile. And in case you might wonder, we all think you matter a whole lot too. VBG. You are cherished and cared about deeply dear friend. And you’ve touched plenty of adults with that magic wand of yours.
A good chunk of my friends are teachers. They have NO budget for the arts. I’ve taught as a guest artist in their classes several times and the kids just eat it up.
Where else are they going to get unstructured (for the most part) creative time? I mean really! When I was a kid (god I sound OLD saying that!)the summers were spent outside playing and the winters (I grew up in the home of Canadian winters, Winnipeg) were for being indoors making stuff. My imagination was always in motion.
You are granting them time to explore and to contemplate, to create and to experiment. That is priceless. It teaches them a part of themselves that they can tap into.
My grade 6 teacher was the known as THE art teacher. His thing was art. We waited in HUGE anticipation of being in grade 6 so we could have with Mr. Hanna. I loved him-he was the most engaging teacher I ever had-every aspect of his teaching was creative in some way and as you can see, I remember him for it. I was blessed with many, many good teachers who changed my life in their own unique ways.
Being a teacher, you touch 1000’s of lives and you have to trust that in some way you’ve made a difference. For the most part, you never really get to know how or why. Just know this for sure: everything you ever do for anyone makes a difference.
xo
You have given these lucky children the gift of creating art. How wonderful it must feel to them to jump into their journals and simply do what they want, so unlike normal school subjects with rules and rights and wrongs — even art is normally taught like that. What I love about art is that I can simply be, be without judgment, be free to fly or to cry. You are a great teacher, and through your on line classes I have found a way to create again. Thanks.
Absolutely worthwhile!! I just wished I had a teacher like you all those years ago. Be encouraged. You are doing worthwhile work every day by just being a teacher. And then a teacher that really cares….. Don’t stop for a minute. You are laying down seeds that may take a while to germinate but you never know when and where. Kudos Mary Ann.
I wish you could have been my teacher back when I was their age but then that would make you REALLY old!!! I love what you have given them and there is no doubt in my mind that someday, somehow the seeds you planted in these kids will germinate in some of them. And that’s what it is all about–you give them all the tools you possibly can but it’s up to them to pick up the tools and use them. It will happen!!
I read your blog faithfully and I know you are a giving, caring person, awesome really. Easier said than done sometimes, I know, but try to keep the second guessing of yourself to a minimum. YOU are worthwhile!!
XOXOXO,
Cathy
What a wonderful post Mary Ann. It brought back memories of my days of teaching. Sometimes what we get excited about is not as exciting for the kids. But sometimes it is and one never can tell at the time what the kids will recall down the road about the times you work with them. I know I still have fond memories, glimpses of special moments of things a favorite teacher taught us that made more sense as I got older. Our teachings are just a foundation that is to be built upon and added to. It is difficult at times to just let the kids create in their own way especially when it is different from our way. I think the journal pages you showed looked wonderful. I especially like the photo of the little girl with the pink headband working diligently in her journal using the gel pen. You are doing God’s work Mary Ann and your influence will surely have a positive effect on the children’s lives you touch.
xo
jeanne
Not everyone will be an artist, not everyone will keep a journal but some will. And some will, when things are bad or good or in between, remember that they once kept a visual journal and go back to it and it will provide them a means of expression that nothing else will.
One of the hardest things for a teacher or a mother to do is to let the kids do it their way, red markers and all. But when they do it their way they learn more and their work becomes more important to them. I think that both the monkeys and you have learned a lot this year. And so have we who read your blog and whose lives are enriched by your words and pictures and your ways of seeing the world.
Keep up the good work, Mary Ann, you are doing a great job. We are all learning from you (and I am 67 years old, still being taught by you young whipper snappers).
One day, these moments will come back to them and they will make the connection between what you were trying to help them discover, that art journaling can help them hold all of life’s moments and challenges. My own grand-daughter’s (9 &7 years old) have started art journaling with me, what I’m noticing is, they have become ‘conditioned’ to have things just make sense instead of working from the gut, instincts…it wasn’t all that long ago when they created with abandon making the most amazing art with Nanny, now, I’m the one encouraging them to not over think it, just go with what makes them happy, what pleases them.
You are giving these kids such a gift, don’t ever doubt it. Life will knock them sideways, but they will find balance again as they loose themselves in one of your creative classes, where heart & spirit have a chance to guide them. Just look at those pages, those wonderful expressive pages….amazing
Yes, Mary Ann, it was worthwhile – and I mean that for both classes. Even if no one in the first seems to be journaling, that seed has been planted. They’ve been shown what’s possible, and I’d bet that at some point, one, two, or more will pick it back up and begin again. And, oh, this second class. They’re already living it; they’ve made it theirs and they own it! You are such an awesome teacher…for them and for us!
OMG! i want to be a craft monkey. what an experience for these kids. if not now, at some point in their future i will be willing to bet that some of them will take this idea and expand on it. so it is definetly worth it. it looks to me like you have one or two monkeys who really got into this project, i mean tearing pictures out of a magazine at the dentist. LOL, that’s wonderful. i remember some projects from elementary school and really wish i had them today. bless your heart for the generous spirit you possess.
“… And the meaning is what I think will create the value… ” Wow. Deep. And you’re so good to refine your tactic of bringing or sparking the creativity in these young people. Someone did such a blessing for me.
i think it is worth it! the time you spend letting them explore and play to their hearts content without rules and with all those creative materials spread out in front of them…it is something that they will remember. and i agree with you, i think kids are a lot more zen about their creations. like you said about the sand paintings. i think as adults, we tend to put more value on creations and want to keep them. kids are more in the here and now. they will remember this experience with you years from now and many will be inspired to be artists! 🙂
thank each and every one of you for sharing this experience with me. my heart grows large with gratitude reading all of these dear comments. thanks for always SEEING whats on the page…and …whats behind the pages. big thoughts, big dreams, big love.
xo,
mary ann
You never how much good creativity can do to open up a little mind … even unconsciously!
It’s beautiful and I would have loved that as a kid! They are very lucky.
Like those before me, I too believe it was worth it. You are planting seeds – some of them take a long time to germinate. Some of those children may return to these journals years later and then something magical might happen.
This year’s class seems already to have gotten it – bringing pictures from home, trading material. I bet that makes your heart sing.
And the girl that threw hers away – years from now, she might bitterly regret that.
Perhaps I could rewind my life about 20 years and you could be my teacher! Well, I guess the ROD class will do!!
I heart your heart. You have touched these children’s lives even if they don’t continue with the visual journaling. I think you gave them something at that time that is stored up inside them and not necessarily on a page in the journal. Just follow your heart and it will always be worthwhile.
omg, I just remembered a story I have to tell you. The kids and I just finished reading Where the Red Fern Grows, one of my favorite books and the first book I ever fell in love with as a child. while I was researching I discovered that the author Wilson Rawls started writing as a child after reading White Fang and falling in love with it. He wrote many novels over his lifetime until around age 30, he decided his writing was worthless and burned them all. (AGGHHH!) Decades later, his wife convinced him to rewrite his stories and out of that Where the Red Fern Grows was born. Just thinking about that story gives me goosebumps. That is what love does for you. Love never fails. 😉
I too think it was worthwhile and the new things you did this year seem to be making it better. I applaud you for your efforts. You are doing great work in the world one journal at a time.
I would guess that for many of the kids, even if they don’t continue with their visual journaling now, your class and the journals will be one of those good memories that stay with them to be remembered and treasured in some small way, down the road
I so LOVE that you are doing this for them. Some will get it, some wont.. Some will not even realize the positive and amazing impact that you and this activity had on their lives.. You just never can know the domino effect that these things can have.. So I would say with a great big YES that it’s worth it! So much respect for teachers that give all of themselves to the students like this, it makes such a huge difference!
You KNOW it is worthwhile! I loved the ‘sheep’ page … the circle up top made into a smiley face. Priceless. I have to get my 6 year old to doing this. Not sure how to explain it though? Maybe just let him read your blog and he will get a sense of it.
If just one continues their journal and leads to a lifetime of art you were successful!!!
It’s growing things from seed; you never know which ones will sprout, root and flower, then seed again. Teaching comes down to working very hard in the garden and having faith. Faith is you never know….
By the end of the day, very little kids often can’t recognize something they painted earlier, but that in NO way diminishes their experience of painting it.
It really is about faith.
So worthwhile! I like that they have to come back to you for supplies and show you what they’re doing. When things are given too freely sometimes they aren’t appreciated. How sad that the little girl threw hers away!!! I would be willing to bet that sometime in the future she will look back and wish she hadn’t done that.
I wish we had more teachers like you! The schools would be a lot better.
I have absolutely no doubt that it has been worthwhile! We never know how things percolate and take hold at other times in someone’s life. And, that little girl who threw hers out… thats so sad! It makes me think that she hasnt learned that what she makes is precious. Youre doing a great job… dont lose heart!
Oh, it is SO worthwhile. I know if I’d had anything like that when I was in school, I would have kept it. Some of them will find a love of art, of creating. Keep going!
What a fabulous post! You sound like an amazing teacher, and you have been faithful with the opportunity to plant seeds of creativity. Because of your blog, I am beginning my first visual journal. With page one in the works, I am deeply inspired to make the most of all the space in my little book, and to use each picture and word with exactness to capture my spirit. Thank you for inspiring me to think beyond sentences…..
Yes. It was, is worthwhile. For that one child that got it, for your own growth, for us listening and watching and becoming inspired to give just because. I swear I feel the same way almost every day of my life–with my own children! I wonder if the words repeated endlessly, the unseen sacrifices, the effort expended is worth it in the end. Philosophically, I believe it is but it is soo much harder to believe when you don’t see any fruit from your efforts! But I have to remind myself that no effort born of love can be without worth. Love never fails! And that is what I see in your efforts with these children. LOVE! More than just doing your job, wanting to impart something more than grammar and sums, but something of lasting value that can transform a person. I know I don’t have to tell you that many of these kids don’t have a single other person in their lives that will give like that. You are doing a good thing. Be encouraged! We all need a little bit of encouragement from time to time! xo,deb
It is soooooooooooooo worthwhile. What I always love about the high school level is when they come back on their first Thanksgiving break (and so many do, it is surprising) to let you know “you were right, Miss” about all the things you tried to tell them. About the good and bad. About how their plans will change and they will grow in ways unexpected.
I love your thought, though, about making them come back for supplies with proof in hand of what they are doing. That is an incentive.
Keep it up! You are doing right and wonderful things for kids!
Oh YES it was worthwhile. What a fabulous teacher you are to bring this creative opportunity into the lives of these children. You have given them a great gift. I admire this deeply.
Smiles to you and your “craft monkeys”,
Briana