Spring break!

Well, it is already time for Spring break. I am headed out of town to Seattle and Belingham to visit friends, and take a road trip with a friend!

Anyway, here are some pics I couldn't post as my computer was sooo sick, and now is better, so I am back in the saddle, so to speak...I am getting a little nervous about some projects not getting done, like our 8th grade woodworking project, and also about running out of projects the last couple of weeks of school because the students were quicker than expected...any last minute project ideas that last a few days?

I am back!

Oh boy, well, my intention was to keep this up weekly, but......

We have been busy bees in handwork! My 5th graders are amazing knitters, and have blazed through every project! I try to have a "giving" project, and ours is blankets, hats and/or booties for preemie babies. The blanket is so tiny, it makes us realise how small and fragile these babies are!

The 6th grade finished their pencil roll-ups, and we then moved on to making our gusseted animal. We chose a pig from a farm rescue named "Peggie Sue" (did I already mention that previously?) I will have some pictures of finished pigs by week's end--they are so cute, and we are making a "pig pen" to keep our completed piggies together and not running all over the classroom! Next, we have begun our tunics for medieval games. The class decided to dye the fabric red, a very suitable colour for this particular class I thought! It was so lovely to see the fabric flowing in the wind on one of the few sunny days we have had. The coat-of-arms and banner are to follow, and more on that later. (for Valentines day we felted hearts out of wool we dyed with kool-aide...they thought that was pretty awsome that you could dye with drink powder)

7th grade has been a challenge, mostly due to the class size, but also due to the fact that it is 7th grade. The big project is chef's aprons, and to my amazement quite a few have finished or are on the way to finishing...for those lucky acheivers, they will be able to create a marrionette!

8th grade is a joy, they all finished PJ bottoms, then the giving project of bags for kids at the children's receiving home (the kids can put their stuff in it and keep the bags). Now we have begun wood carving--first we made frames for practice, and now we are making a lecturn for the school as the 8th grade gift.

I only have a few pictures, my regular computer has been down for some time and holds most of my pictures!

ALSO, during these last months I have attended two Waldorf teachers conferences--both wonderful. More on that later too!

6th grade pencil pouches

October

I cannot believe it is not even the end of October and my students are so far in their projects! I was not prepared...they have finished projects that last year took the entire year. So, here are the projects we are working on:

5th-4 needle knitting. Hats, wrist warmers, socks. Many students are about to start their socks already! The hates and wrist warmers are beautiful. Pictures to come when I figure that out. I am new to this Blog thing, and very jealous of others beautiful pages. I'll get there! (Skills: making knitting needles, knit, purl, following a knit pattern ie. reading abreviations)

6th- Sewing...really cool coloured pencil pouches, juggling balls (to be used in thier Medieval games performance) and then a pig...later on that one...(Skills: Running stitch, blanket stitch, back stitch, embroidery, pattern making)

7th- Hand sewing...fleece hats using patterns. Aprons, dyed with sun sensitive dyes and maybe a little embroidery. (Skills: Pattern reading, backstitch, blanket stitch, basting...)

8th- Machine Sewing...they LOVE this class...PJ pants using a pattern (they have all finished already, some made two pairs of pants!)...anatomy of a sewing machine, history of the machine. Next up, woodworking. We are making a lecturn. First we will practice with carving tools on our pumpkins next week.

Hm, just starting out this blogg, partly to share ideas with other Handwork teachers, and partly to keep track of my classes for future use. It sometimes feels as though I am alone out there in the handwork world feeling my way through, but lately I have found so much help by others' bloggs, that I thought I should share my knowledge as well. Whatever helps us be better teachers, and understand the umportance of Handwork in any curriculum (not just Waldorf!).

This will take me some time, as I dislike being on the computer too much, and am too busy anyway, but I will try. I hope in the near future to have pictures posted, ideas listed, and tips to share!

This year I am only teaching 5th through 8th grades. I released on the first 4 to my lovely co-worker and handwork genious Dianne. We collaborate on all grades, but only are present in our own...sometimes we plan on buddying up and doing seasonal projects together, older classes with their younger buddies. (I lessened my load in order to help launch my beautiful boy into the wonders of High School, and he is thriving! More on that experience later, too!)