Art Exhibition

'It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child' 

Pablo Picasso

Our school is in preparation for an Art Exhibition next week and we have been working with the children in creating shades of colors on canvas. In collaboration with Ms Juana (Art Teacher) we have spent the last few weeks coating the canvas pieces. It has been such an enlightening process and to work with such passionate Art teachers makes it even more enjoyable. Personally I love the expression of different forms of art and being able to explore this with children invites such a content and prolific working demeanor.

Our Studio is the anchor in our daily experiences. It is a testament that clearly shows how much an aesthetically pleasing environment contributes to the children's atmosphere of learning. So as we come to the conclusion of our art project, we hope the families and wider community will enjoy the creations from the children. I know I am beyond excitement in launching their work in a space that will be valued and appreciated with the credit they all deserve. 

To be continued. . . . 

 

Short & Sweet in Tokyo

So I was in Tokyo for a weekend, why? The All Blacks were en route via Japan for their European tour, I contemplated going and knew if I didn't go, I would be sitting at home in Korea thinking of all the reasons of why I didn't go! The last time the All Blacks played Japan on their home turf was in the 90s, so this was going to be quite a significant moment to be part of. Note that that Rugby World cup will by hosted in Japan in 2018 as well. 
However, it all happened! Not only this but Tyrone and Lorenz were flying to Korea and chucked in Tokyo on their way. Knowing they were coming, made it more worthwhile and seemed like an extended holiday having them both in Korea afterwards.

Tokyo, entirely short lived in a weekend, but you take everything in your stride and endeavor to explore places in such little time. The All Blacks vs Japan rugby game was obviously amazing, the atmosphere was a sea of red and dedicated supporters. I saw rugby in Japan through a whole new light, not only with the support for their home country, but these visitors they held a lot of admiration and respect for, those mighty All Blacks.

Being in Osaka a couple of months ago was a tad un-real to think I was back for the weekend in Tokyo. As a traveler things like sleep, comfort or time zones are not a priority whilst in another country. After the game, we headed towards Tokyo with not really any intention in mind but to tick off that we went to Central Tokyo! We found a tourist centre and a lovely lady pointed us in the right direction for 'must do's in Tokyo in one night'.
Whilst in the central city, we took a look at the main train station from the rooftop alongside other night time photographers and locals enjoying the view. I have to say every time I see diligent photographers engaged with their cameras, I observe with envy! hoping to one day become that photographer too.

 

We all know Tokyo is known for it's spectacular buildings and night lights that brighten up the city, so we headed towards the Government buildings which provides free tours on their top floor overlooking Tokyo. So if you are ever in Tokyo, never mind paying $36 to go up the Tokyo version of the Eifel Tower, just go here! Tokyo is ranked as one of the expensive cities in the world and it is easy to see why, such intricate detailed architecture grace the streets of Tokyo. There is a lot of city night life pictures in this posting and I am sure you will see why . . the lights are bright and sparkly, reflecting a glowing city that shines.

Before we knew it, it was time to get on that plane back to Incheon. I was ever so excited to be having the boys fly back to Korea. Tyrone is staying in Korea with his girlfriend in Suwon for the remainder of her contract, whilst Lobs is here for 2 weeks. I am looking forward to more discovering Korea with them while and having some family in my home away from home.

 

     

Tokyo, Japan

My weekend in Tokyo! to be continued . . . 

No words needed . . .

Photograph; a picture painted by the sun without instruction in art. 

Ambrose Bierce 

So where to since then?

I often question teachers and myself, What does your class environment tell the wider community about you as a teacher?
Does it reflect a space of teachers and children's values, visible connections of identity? Over the last few months we have been involved in bringing our vision to life through our classroom environment. What was a blank canvas, now speaks wonder, delight, excitement, color, provocation and hard work.
As teachers you make decisions and it is up to you whether you persist to follow through with your intentions, or do nothing about it. I recently presented at teachmeetnz via Sonya, who has begun this great network sharing via Google Hangouts with teachers throughout NZ. I was an observer at the very first one this year, then had to bite the bullet and present at the next one.

Before the preparation of teachmeetnz, I did my best to get out of it (haha). To no success, I was left to work on a presentation of 12 slides, 20 seconds (per slide) and a 3 minute window to talk. For anything new, there is always natural apprehension at the start. So I reminded myself, How else am I suppose to grow as a teacher without trying and taking risks to work through those obstacles and learn from them? I knew all this, I was just obviously reacting, yet biting my own words at the best of times, I know!
Only completing my presentation days before going live I had a practice run with Sonya as I wasn't able to make the run through with the other teachers. As this is recorded, I watched it back and wow what an impact! Being able to re-visit this process, yet be able to listen and see me speaking was such a great help in preparing me for the actual day. How brilliant is technology right? Yes, that is a rhetorical question!

So in this presentation I shared the process of our classroom design, how it all started and what it looks like today. Although these presentations are a short insight, I think it is a great way of fostering those connections on a global front and sharing your story within the wider community.

I have been strongly influenced by the likes of Margie Carter and Deb Curtis, who I have had the pleasure in meeting on their visits to NZ and my visit to Seattle and San Francisco in 2012 Making your environment "The Third Teacher"
Margie and Deb have several publications which share some fine exemplars of schools and early childhood centers in NZ, Australia and the US. I have been inspired by being at Tots Corner ELC and immersed in an environment which reflects respect and beauty for children, teachers and families. I can definitely say that it has made a lifetime sentence on my teaching practice.

 

The Studio

I look at this change of my current class environment as a testament to what I have learnt over the years despite changing schools and countries. I was determined to continue striving for what I believe is quality learning for young children. This experience has shown me that it doesn't matter where you go in the world, as you take with you the beliefs and values that shape who you are as a person.

It was such a privilege to be part of Sonya's ULearn13 workshop virtually all the way from Korea! who would have thought, I could still be part of the greatness of ULearn whilst abroad. I would like to thank Sonya for the time and patience in creating this network to come together as one for what looks like is going to be the eptiome of professional learning for teachers in NZ and the wider world. Do check out the other great educators and their imbuing stories they have contributed to teachmeetnz

You will find my presentation and slides here

The greatest sign of success for a teacher...is to be able to say, 'The children are now working as if I did not exist.'

Maria Montessori

Shifting Classroom Design Abroad, Part I.ish

Words that are truly etched in my mind. If you know my background, it is fair to say how much Tots Corner has influenced my thinking in so many ways, I wouldn't even know where to start!

  

Tots Corner Early Learning Centre 

Starting at EtonHouse Bundang was an experience I will definitely take away as one of those challenges in life that make you a stronger person. The school had renovations done before we were about to start and we were given a brand new classroom that was rather large and blank at first, yet the potential to be so much more over time. Obviously as teachers you envision what you could turn this space into and the excitement of the process takes over. As I mentioned in a previous post, the children who started in our class had little to no transition and we realised this was going to be a whole new ball game.
Families shared their concerns over the physical space of the classroom, lack of color, stimulation, windows etc. Yet there solution to the 'problem' was to change to another classroom, acknowledging the families thoughts, we kindly reassured them that we were not changing classrooms. We were determined to bring our vision to life and stand by our decision, they just had to give us time.

  

 

The weeks went by and the children were understandably still trying to settle into our class. Not only this, but build relationships with us and feel safe and secure in a whole new chapter of their life, school. Some children had come straight from what they had always known and trusted, home. The transition from home to school is a huge gap to fill and for such young children, relationships are central to their sense of belonging in a whole new environment.
As mentioned establishing reciprocal relationships was a priority for us in being able to move to the next step with these children and their families. It was indeed such a long process, but worth every inch of perseverance.

My co-teacher is Chloe and has spent the last 5 years in Canada where she studied early childhood education and also taught at a pre-school in Toronto. She has recently come back to Korea to be with family and we both started together at EtonHouse Bundang. Chloe is a talented musician and artist and this is reflected in our classroom environment. Our strengths lie in opposite directions, therefore when they are combined, it really is rewarding and we are always grateful that they placed us together! We agree to disagree and I am a tidy freak and she is not, haha. So I would say traits like that in our personalities keep us grounded and continue to shape who we are.

An inquiry of 'color' became the beginning of it all, not only were we inviting experiences for children to explore the idea of colors. It brought to life the transformation of our classroom environment.