The Campaign For Drawing

"To draw, you
must close your
eyes and sing."

Pablo Picasso

THE BIG DRAW
The Big Draw takes place throughout October each year, offering drawing events for people of all ages and abilities.

Drawing for all
Over 1,500 venues will use drawing, painting and a vast range of other media to connect visitors with museum and gallery collections, urban and rural spaces – and the wider community – in new and enjoyable ways. Why not join an event?
Big Draw Day is Saturday 9 October, but events may take place on any dates in October, or early November. Find out how to organise an event.

http://www.campaignfordrawing.org/bigdraw/index.aspx

Love this idea! Have given it a go and think that it's a fantastic opportunity for children to let their imaginations go wild!

I survived!

I just wanted to say a HUGE thank you to all those who supported me during the 40 hour famine! I have so far raised over $300 which is amazing, so thank you to you know who you are!

Going without food, the internet or my mobile phone for 40 hours was my way to help raise awareness of the Global Food Crisis and it also made me see how I don't really need to use my mobile or the internet to survive in this world. I do know that I rely on my computer much more than my phone, so if I didn't have a mobile I wouldn't be too fussed!! Also, what did we do before all this technology came into our lives??

It was great to see so many people giving up things in their lives to help make a difference to those who need it more. I was really surprised to hear of a grade that decided to not speak for the whole day at school and according to their teacher, they survived as well, and raised $280!

Well done to them and to everyone!

Global Warming. Are you worried about it?

This has been the topic of a forum my fellow Grad.Dips. and I have been participating in at uni over the last couple of days. Our science lecturer started it with the above question and the posts that have been added are amazing, interesting, very much all in agreeance that yes, we are worried about what is happening with Global Warming.

Here are a few of the great links my fellow students have found that would be really useful in the classroom:

http://www.theweathermakers.org/learn/part1.php

http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/kids/difference.html

http://www.csiro.au/resources/CarbonKids.html

http://www.wwf.org.au/ourwork/climatechange/causesofglobalwarming/

http://www.theweatherchannelkids.com/weather-ed/weather-encyclopedia/global-warming/

http://epa.gov/climatechange/kids/index.html

An interesting book to read on the subject is Flannery, T. (2005). The Weather Makers: The History and Future Impact of Climate Change.

There is such are wide range of topics and issues that need to be covered to fully understand the extent of what is going on with our world, and I'm hoping that as a teacher I will be able to make a little bit of a difference by exploring these issues with the students I have. We have the opportunity of changing our habits in the classroom so that protecting the environment is fun and fulfilling. And something that we just do… not something that is a chore!

The value of art and play

I've been looking online for the past few hours for sites relating to the Arts, that are going to be of some help to my fellow Post Grad Dip Ed members and I for when we graduate and I think I have found one:

http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/artplay/schools/Pages/Valueartplay.aspx

40 Hour Famine

Please support me during this year's 40 Hour Famine…

Donations to the 40 Hour Famine this year will support projects aimed at: addressing climate change and increasing agricultural production in Nepal; tackling childhood malnutrition in Kenya; fighting child labour and trafficking in India; providing supplementary food support to families in Cambodia; and assisting with food security in Laos.

Thank so much for your help.

Just click or copy the link below for details how:

http://40hf.com/felicityb

40hf.com

Dust Echos: Ancient Stories, New Voices

This is a wonderful site with 12 fantastically produced animated dreamtime stories from Central Arnhem Land. The stories tell of love, loyalty, duty to country and the aboriginal customs and laws. Along with the beautiful artwork that has been used there are amazing soundtracks to all of the animations. Highly recommend for anyone who is interested in aboriginal arts and culture. Each animation has classroom resources and there are also a few bonus soundtracks. A really great resource!

http://www.abc.net.au/dustechoes/default.htm

first day back…

First day back at uni today and Art was on the agenda. I think it will be a really interesting subject with loads of emphasis on 21st century applications of the arts, the world around us and how to bring these into the classroom.

Topics discussed included space, sustainability, the internet, relationships (diversity of), community, communication, multicultural – exploring and meeting the needs of, sense of self, indigenous issues, process vs product.

What Can an Art Teacher Do?

"As art teachers we have unique opportunities and obligations. How does my art classroom and curriculum help produce better citizens and a better world? What can an art teacher do?"
– Marvin Bartels, September 13, 2001

Marvin Bartel wrote this in the wake of the tragic terrorism in New York and elsewhere on September 11, 2001. Are there better ways to respond in conflict situations?