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DEREK’S BLOG HAS MOVED
6 years ago
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Interesting
You don't need to look too deeply to realise the truth in this... Its great to see it happening within us.
(designer unknown)
(designer unknown)
Friday, January 4, 2008
The Chill Book
As a teacher I am constantly concerned about my involvement in children's art. I have recently attended workshops at the Early Childhood Convention on this particular topic and was amazed at how many others faced this dilemma. I love art, and exploring texture, colour, shape, and I love to experiment with many mediums. I have often sat with the children at the art table and my fingers have itched to get lost in the world of art - but something stops me. One thing that does stop me is my ability to get LOST in my art and I find it hard to connect with others and activities going on around me. So this is probably not the best place to be when I have the responsibility of 30 children in my care. On the other hand - I am also stopped by the voices in my head - the ones that say "Don't show the children you are better at drawing than they are - they might feel discouraged". There are times when I have drawn one or two things - and the children do feel discouraged and have asked me to draw something for them. I have felt uncomfortable in this position - because I haven't yet come up with an encouraging statement that continues their explorations. I have felt though that abstract collage would be an area I would love to explore with the children at Kindergarten. Just getting involved, getting messy, gluing, ripping, cutting, shaking, creating. That is one of my aims for 2008.
My other dilemma is colouring-in. I LOVED to colour in when I was a child. There were times that I was stuck inside for numerous reasons - usually I was tired and I didn't want to have to think. Colouring in was my refuge. I could sit for hours and colour. Yes I was provided with colouring-in books - pictures of stereo typical flowers, the quintessential boys and girls, butterflies and clowns. I coloured them all in , and when I had more energy I created my own. But I loved to colour-in. I firmly believe that my accute knowledge of colour derives from my intense obsession with colouring-in as a child. It is what drives my art today, drives my photography and aids my composition. I can see the argument many present for banning colouring-in for young developing minds - I'm not sure I completely agree with it - but I see the arguement - thus my dilemma. I have, therefore, turned to Mandala style designs for a new book I have created called 'The Chill Book'. I provide it here for you to explore - with your children or on your own. Explore colour and enjoy. The designs are probably a bit too intricate for kindergarten aged children - I will work on that.
Please be aware I charge a small fee for this file - a recognition of the time, creativity and effort I have put into creating this book. Check it out - see what you think and PLEASE leave your comments as a form of feedback and reflection for my on going professional development.
My other dilemma is colouring-in. I LOVED to colour in when I was a child. There were times that I was stuck inside for numerous reasons - usually I was tired and I didn't want to have to think. Colouring in was my refuge. I could sit for hours and colour. Yes I was provided with colouring-in books - pictures of stereo typical flowers, the quintessential boys and girls, butterflies and clowns. I coloured them all in , and when I had more energy I created my own. But I loved to colour-in. I firmly believe that my accute knowledge of colour derives from my intense obsession with colouring-in as a child. It is what drives my art today, drives my photography and aids my composition. I can see the argument many present for banning colouring-in for young developing minds - I'm not sure I completely agree with it - but I see the arguement - thus my dilemma. I have, therefore, turned to Mandala style designs for a new book I have created called 'The Chill Book'. I provide it here for you to explore - with your children or on your own. Explore colour and enjoy. The designs are probably a bit too intricate for kindergarten aged children - I will work on that.
Please be aware I charge a small fee for this file - a recognition of the time, creativity and effort I have put into creating this book. Check it out - see what you think and PLEASE leave your comments as a form of feedback and reflection for my on going professional development.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Education of the future....?
After searching on YouTube for the movie Linda showed (see below) at the Auckland Regional Hui - I found some other great thought provoking compilations.... check it out.
Auckland Regional Hui
We had a great time in Auckland this Saturday at the ECE ICT Professional Learning Programme's Auckland Regional Hui. I woke at 5am, was on the road to Tania's by 6.45am, and we were on our way to Auckland for the 9am start. Naketa (our fantastic facilitator) opened the day with a movie (it's all about cool movies) about the things facilitators get up to... looks like hard work and great fun. Certainly the facilitators on this programme are inspiring - Naketa has been for us and we look forward to her inspirations over the next two years plus! (you can check out her blog here)
Everyone at the Hui had an opportunity to present their research and progress at workshops. These were inspiring. I couldn't discuss all I learnt from these but here are some highlights. I was motivated by Waiuku Kindergarten, to extend our transition to schools programme (using the movies we have made about our local schools) and make these movies available in book form for easy access. I also saw an idea we have been dwelling on in action - A transition to school board displaying photos of children who are attending, or are going to attend a particular school. There were also photos of significant features of the school on the board. The children at Wiauku seem to refer to this regularly. Movies that showed groups of children around the board showed us the huge benefits and discussions this board generated about schools. Thanks Waiuku Kindergarten for sharing your research.
The second workshop I attended was from Meadowood Childcare Centre. It was great to see how movies are being used for children with "special rights" as a tool to help in IDP (individual development planning) meetings. These movies are put on a secure online site for supporters from other disciplines (occupational therapist, physio etc)to view before a visit or meeting. Oh how often it is that when these professionals visit an ECE centre, a child is either having a tough day, or just not wanting to do the things that the therapists need them to do in order to assess their development. Movies online as a way for group assessment appears valuable.
Tania and I presented at the second workshop. We presented on our passion for blogging and how it is benefiting our children and community, how links are being made across continents and knowledge is being shared - how we are all inspiring eachother to grow and learn. This presentation was based on the presentation we gave during the September holidays at the ULearn 07 Conference in Auckland. You can find out more about this on Manaia's Kindergarten Blog - click here.
Linda (another great Auckland facilitator) rounded up the Hui with an inspiring way of looking back over the year, seeing where we have come from, and reflecting on what we have learnt both over the year and at the Regional Hui, and where to from now. Tania and I drove back discussing many ideas about the road ahead.
Our goal for the day had been to not get a speeding fine or land in a paddock!! That goal achieved we learnt so much, deepened our relationship with other teachers on the ECE ICT PL Programme which is always a wonderful experience.
Here is a movie Linda showed about Education, which kinda sums up what we are all trying to achieve. Thanks to Naketa and Linda for a great day!
Everyone at the Hui had an opportunity to present their research and progress at workshops. These were inspiring. I couldn't discuss all I learnt from these but here are some highlights. I was motivated by Waiuku Kindergarten, to extend our transition to schools programme (using the movies we have made about our local schools) and make these movies available in book form for easy access. I also saw an idea we have been dwelling on in action - A transition to school board displaying photos of children who are attending, or are going to attend a particular school. There were also photos of significant features of the school on the board. The children at Wiauku seem to refer to this regularly. Movies that showed groups of children around the board showed us the huge benefits and discussions this board generated about schools. Thanks Waiuku Kindergarten for sharing your research.
The second workshop I attended was from Meadowood Childcare Centre. It was great to see how movies are being used for children with "special rights" as a tool to help in IDP (individual development planning) meetings. These movies are put on a secure online site for supporters from other disciplines (occupational therapist, physio etc)to view before a visit or meeting. Oh how often it is that when these professionals visit an ECE centre, a child is either having a tough day, or just not wanting to do the things that the therapists need them to do in order to assess their development. Movies online as a way for group assessment appears valuable.
Tania and I presented at the second workshop. We presented on our passion for blogging and how it is benefiting our children and community, how links are being made across continents and knowledge is being shared - how we are all inspiring eachother to grow and learn. This presentation was based on the presentation we gave during the September holidays at the ULearn 07 Conference in Auckland. You can find out more about this on Manaia's Kindergarten Blog - click here.
Linda (another great Auckland facilitator) rounded up the Hui with an inspiring way of looking back over the year, seeing where we have come from, and reflecting on what we have learnt both over the year and at the Regional Hui, and where to from now. Tania and I drove back discussing many ideas about the road ahead.
Our goal for the day had been to not get a speeding fine or land in a paddock!! That goal achieved we learnt so much, deepened our relationship with other teachers on the ECE ICT PL Programme which is always a wonderful experience.
Here is a movie Linda showed about Education, which kinda sums up what we are all trying to achieve. Thanks to Naketa and Linda for a great day!
Saturday, August 4, 2007
New Blog
It has been a few days since I posted on this site. I have been upgrading and managing another of my blog sites which is now up and running. You can check out my new photographic site SilverSpikes Photography
Monday, July 30, 2007
Wow!
Wow.....
Wow.....
Watched this on Close Up and had to find out more. Be prepared to feel your skin tingle!
Don't forget the name Paul Pots
Wow.....
Watched this on Close Up and had to find out more. Be prepared to feel your skin tingle!
Don't forget the name Paul Pots
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