giddygiddy

Lifestyle for sale

I'm oohing and aahing over these photos from a Japanese mag/catalog.  They beautifully convey a simple and stylish space.

I'd buy this lifestyle if I could...

Moonlighting

I've been moonlighting.

I simply couldn't resist a new gig where those around me are forced to look up to me. You see, I am a foot or so taller than the folks at my new gig. Over there, I am called Miss Teri, and I am an "Art Teacher".

My kids' public school, with its limited resources, offers the children a great many opportunities for enrichment like dance, music, yoga and even martial arts. But as is typical in most public schools, there is just not enough resources to go around... and somehow, art was cut out of the equation for my daughter's 2nd grade class.

Fortunately, their wonderful teacher completely understands the importance of art in the classroom and has agreed to carve out time each week, so long as there was a parent or two willing to step up to offer an art lesson.

I wondered, could *I* step up??   Ummm... I don't think so.  Well, maybe I can.  Let's get real - when do I have time? After all, I am CEO of GIDDY GIDDY INTERNATIONAL INCORPORATED ENTERPRISES and QUEEN OF LAUNDRY!?!  Well maybe.... just maybe....

I found myself digging for my art books, researching online, talking  to other art teachers. Then I surprised myself entirely when I announced to my husband: "I'm putting together an art syllabus and curriculum for the 2nd grade class"

My husband looked at me and shrugged. Just like the time I announced that I wanted to build a kids theatrical stage in the backyard that could double as a playhouse complete with plumbing system.

So, with the help of another parent, we started the year off with a rather ambitious art project. Each child was called upon to be a Robot Inventor.  A first session had us exploring the various functions of robots, and possible benefits to the world, etc. Then the kids got to sketch their personal robot blueprints.  They were invited to go home and scavenge for possible robot parts (found objects and trash) to bring back the following week.  This all culminated in a crazy hour of robot assembly in the classroom.  At the end of a two week robot obsessed frenzy, the results were THESE staggering works of genius: 

Aren't they all so wonderful?

And here, my daughter built a fully operational chassis out of a produce box, equipped with tissue paper roll "brake system". All this to mobilize a music box nestled within the red fabric. Whoa! I will never be convinced that one doesn't learn anything from art!

I maintain, Art is necessary! What other elementary school subject could offer equal parts: self expression, problem solving, tactile stimulation and pure joy?

Weeks later, the robot planning and building has not stopped. The children continue to scavenge and collect.  And much to their teacher's chagrin, kids are routinely returning to school with their modified and newly improved robots.  

Signing off....Miss Teri.

fixer-uppers with lots of potential

 

I've got the whole world in my hand

I really do!
 
  

garden labor