Collage and symmetry

We took a look at the cloth weaving of the Maranao people of Mindanao. They have an amazing history of making head cloths called the pis siyabit and wrap-around waist cloths called the patajung. Showing them the patterns woven into them, it was said that each pis was unique, each pattern and design were unique to the whims and creativity of the weaver. It would usually have a central shape and the design would repeat itself on all four sides to represent the cardinal directions. We talked about the colors, and the patterns they created. I even had the guts to wear a malong in place of a patajung just to show off the garment to the students. 

Armed with strips of double-sided tape and colored paper, the kids attacked the project with some hesitation. Some of them wanted to draw the patterns, others spoke out because they were reluctant to use the scissors. By the end of the period, creative mayhem ruled the classroom. There were songs being sung, and paper and tape were being asked from each other. Colored paper covered the table, scissors were lying about, but happily, some got through it.  Others, found an interest in double-sided foam tape. But the hour ended too soon and we had to pack our mess away. They were reluctant to end the class. And deep inside, I was happy. 

Sarimanok-inspired artwork

Looking at the resources I had at home, mom had a large collection of books on Mindanao artwork and icons. I couldn't help it. Here was a whole month's worth of lessons just lying around and I wasn't using them! So, first up, the mythical Sarimanok. Colored paper, white acrylic paint, a bronze figure and legends on the Sarimanok started the course. I introduced Abdul Imao whose artwork on the Sarimanok gave the younger kids a simpler, vibrant picture of what they could make. An hour wasn't enough though. Sure, I had complaints, excitement, uncertainty and hand-holding as we started visually dissecting the Sarimanok, but I liked the challenge it gave them. I could wish for a lot more, more time, more silence. But its a start.

Pre-Hispanic Newspapers

Since we're into the review of last school year's Social Studies themes, I asked them to make a mind map, answer a quiz, and list all of their ideas and research topics before they started designing and writing out their "newspapers'. It was a tough beginning for all of us, dusting our brains and searching for past facts and stories. But in the end, having a handy online textbook (http://takdangaralin.tumblr.com/) made things incredibly easier. The results; though a bit rough, though a bit rushed, was still praise-worthy in the end.

Gabbie gets a taste of hard work as she finishes her newspapers.

With enough research, Aaron shows off his newspaper with his organized, neat style.

Aaron's first page

Aaron's second page

Gabbie's first page

Gabbie's second page

Posting stenciled art work

Back to Tagaytay for another round of training. This time, with Grade 7 MAPEH teachers.

We had a cozy number of about 200+ teachers in the room, all from different schools in the Philippines. It was more intensive than the last workshop. The food was better too! :)

To be honest, I appreciated the schedule they gave us this time. It felt less hurried and we had more time to interact, talk and coach the participants.

Tattoo designs on cups 

Assemblage 

Weaving workshop

K-12 Teacher Training Workshop @ DAP, Tagaytay

Teacher trainers working their magic.

Group shots of trainers from different regions.

Demo teachers!End of April 2012.

We had 1,500+ Grade 1 teachers from all over the Philippines to be trained on how to teach the new K-12 curriculum. We were Mrs. P as the convener, one veteran art teacher, two art curriculum writers and myself as the National Teacher Trainers for Art.

One whole week of sharing, laughing, speaking, teaching and having a fun. It was also a frustrating, hair-pulling, more-than-words-can-say kind of anger at times but it was worth it.

I would never claim to say that the workshop participants learned a lot from us and they would move on to greater and amazing art classes in the future but as in any class, you have high hopes for a chosen few with whom you felt understood what you were saying and you hoped they learned from the experience. To be honest, this was the biggest workshop I've ever helped facilitate. EVER. And to have a handful of them echo the workshop perfectly to other teachers in their region is a possibility and I'm hopeful.

If you're reading this and you are a teacher, you might want to visit our Facebok pages and download the K-12 Art Curriculum for Grade 1 and Grade 7 for FREE!! Yes, please don't be fooled into buying books for your Grade 1 or Grade 7 art classes. You can download it there, use it and hopefully, send us your pictures and feedback when you can.

https://www.facebook.com/ArtPhilippinesForGrade1

https://www.facebook.com/ArtPhilippinesForGrade7

Now, about the dog...

It was really weird. Waking up at 5 a.m. then being shown a "crop circle" slash line drawing of Buster's artwork. This happened for a few days and we would eagerly await for them to appear when we woke up. I swear, this isn't some hoax or anything. Perhaps we just a have a dog who loves symmetry. Or not.

New photo site for me.

Tried Flickr when it was just starting out. Tried other photo hosting sites. But finally, in an effort to clear out my pc, I decided to upload my pictures to a file hosting site and posted a few choice shots to my new tumblr. Thank you Tumblr!! Check out snapshotsbyz.tumblr.com

The Jr. Entrepreneurs strike again!

High five to my Entrep students! Summer's gone, but their projects will hopefully take off this school year. With greeting cards, tumblers and key chains to sell, they have a great opportunity to expand their line of products and earn more money for charity! So, in the pipeline, their website, their logo and their accounting skills. Oy.

Hero Badges

Heroes have to have badges of honor. For the students, to earn one of these is a privilege.

Hand-drawn art by Teacher Aia, color and digital editing by me. The Everyday Hero badge was drawn by myself based on the ideas of all the teachers that particular afternoon in school. : )

IDs for kids

Rushing the kids in preparing them for their exams, we needed some IDs quick. It was done overnight but they look happy and reflects the spirit of the kids. A fast laminate, a punch for the ID lace and off they go. Got a quick snapshot before they were given.

Drawing a day

Thinking of doing a drawing a day thing. Got my lovely handy-dandy notebook and pretty pens on hand...The thought came with wanting to remember what I'm capable of doing. Things that I do everyday are only part of what I am, part of what I can do. It was so easy to forget that I used to draw and write, just because. Used to devour books and dream of them afterwards. So I stopped wondering and will start doing. Hopefully, this blog will see a lot more of my work and my students.

We miss Didi

Didi and Gabbie. Plus O.J., the cat. Can't wait to see this little girl again.

Story Writing Workshop, Summer 2010

Finished the workshop. Stories had already been edited and re-edited. Then there were the drawings. Had everyone contribute something. And they were great! Learned that there are keys to opening a person's understanding. And as a teacher, I have to find those keys, wherever thay may lie. And finding them is part of the fun-filled process.