Welcome Back

Dear Parents,

Welcome back everyone for the 2013-2014 school year.  I am looking forward to having your child in art class this year and seeing his/her creativity blossom.  In order to ensure that your child is successful in art class, we have 5 rules that are expected to be followed.

1.            Be Kind.

2.            Be a good listener.

3.            Give your best effort.

4.            Take care of supplies.

5.            Help with clean up.

Behavior will be monitored through a clip chart system.  Students will be reinforced for good behavior.  Any negative behaviors that do not follow the guidelines above will result in a verbal warning, loss of art class privileges, loss of recess time, and/or a note sent home.  If your child brings home a behavior note, it needs to be signed and returned the next day.   These expectations will be discussed during the first art class.  Please also review the rules above with your child so that we can work together to make Art a positive experience for your child.

In the art room, we will be using all sorts of supplies and even recycling materials to create something new.  I have included a wish list below of items that I am looking for to use for projects throughout the year.   If you wish to donate anything, you may send the supplies with your child to school:

Items:

Brown paper lunch bags

Paper plates (not Styrofoam)

CLEAN Styrofoam meat and fruit trays

CLEAN and empty 2-quart paperboard orange juice containers 
(almond milk also comes in this type of container)

Jean pockets from old jeans

Popsicle sticks

              Please check back regularly on this blog site to learn about what your child is doing in class.  Encourage your child to talk about what he/she is learning in art class, which artists we are studying, and about his/her own artwork.   Students will be bringing home artwork throughout the year, and we will also have a school-wide art show on May 8 showcasing all of the students’ work.  I will send out more information regarding the art show as the time draws closer.  Thank you for your support. Together, we can make this a terrific experience!  If you ever need to reach me you can email me at aback@tricreek.k12.in.us.

                                                                                          Thanks,

                                                                                                           

                                                                                          Miss Back

                                                                                          Art Teacher

Zanzibar and Naivasha

I have to tell you about the fabulous end to my trip here in Africa.  Last week I was in Naivasha volunteering at Life Beads Kenya.  I got to work with men and women who are making art products to earn a living.  I stayed with Minalyn, the woman who started the program, and her family.  I learned how to make various different types of jewelry.  The people there were so nice and welcoming.  I even got to teach English one day to women from the community.  There was one lady who was over 90 years old!  I helped her practice writing her letters.  I was amazed at her determination despite her age.

This past week I flew to Zanzibar, which is an island off the coast of Tanzania.  It was beautiful and very hot!  The island is full of history.  The buildings in the main town are all white washed old buildings with big wooden doors that are carved with lovely designs.  I purchased a small wooden carving of a door that I will show you in class.

Unfortunately, the island was once used as a place for slave trading to countries in the Middle East.  I was able to see different places around the island that were used to keep slaves.  There is a sculptural memorial in the middle of Stone Town to remember those who were victims of the slave trade.

I spent one day learning how to make a batik tablecloth using stamps.  Said, the man who ran this program, took us to his workshop.  His family prepared delicious food for us using a solar oven.  The oven looks like a big metal flying saucer.  It is kept outside, and it uses the sun to heat up instead of electricity.  I also got to try weaving on a large loom, which is much harder than it looks.  I did manage to weave a small bookmark using grass fibers from a palm tree.

During the rest of my time in Zanzibar I went snorkeling, saw giant tortoises, visited other art cooperatives, visited palace ruins from a former Sultan's family, and went bike riding around the island.  I also went on a Spice Tour where I learned about different spices that are grown around the island as well as fruits.  Now I know all about where my vanilla, nutmeg, and cardamom come from.  One of my favorite things about Zanzibar is the juice.  They have many different juices: passion fruit, mango, watermelon with cucumber, pineapple, etc. And all of them are made fresh.  I also ate in a really interesting restaurant where everyone had to take off their shoes.  The floors were covered with grass mats, and the tables were very low to the ground so that we could sit on the floor to eat. Every night in Zanzibar I had to sleep under a mosquito net to make sure that I don't get malaria.  There are lots of mosquitos there!

I am returning to the U.S. soon.  I look forward to seeing all of you back at school in 2 weeks.

Kwaheri! (Bye)