Singing and music making is one of my favorite things (cue Julie Andrews)... It is amazing how across the world in all cultures music making is a part of daily life. It is deeply engrained in who we are as humans, and some of the most powerful expressions of ourselves come through music. Music taps into our emotions, it elevates our thinking, it is a memory magnet. Why don't we use more music in our schools? Well this past weekend, it was my mother's 84th birthday. I brought her down to the Art Garage to celebrate. It was a weekend of singing, playing and making art. My 9 year old nephew was there too. It was his first time hanging out with our art garage members and he fit right in. They even sang her Happy Birthday. I love the part where they all just chime right in Miss Abigail's Mom. You would think that I spent a lot of time thinking about how to organize activities, but actually, much of what we do is decided by the kids, and simply in response to what people are asking for or suggesting. The first day we added to the leadership tiles, adding phrases and a clear gloss epoxy resin. They came out beautifully, and the girls actually made a sale to my mom who wanted something to bring back to her friends at the retirement home. The second day we made stained glass. This was on the list. Whenever my nephew comes in town we make a list of what we want to do, and take turns engaging in the shared activities. Truthfully, if we didn't do this, he would likely stay on the computer playing minecraft for the entire visit. I had put to create stained glass windows on the list, a plan I have to honor the memory of my father and step-mother at the anniversary of her passing and their wedding. My nephew said he hoped we could invite the Art Garage kids, and so we did. Epoxy is a messy business, but everyone was able to take turns and organize themselves. Their final panels were amazingly gorgeous and unique. That night the kids proposed a bonfire. We grilled hotdogs on skewers and made endless smores. My neighbors Melody and Stuart and Penny joined in too. We sang songs. They made a song to thank Melody for the cake she made. They sang a song about the Art Garage. We sang some classic camp songs, and then of course we finished it off with Old Town Road. You can imagine the fun. I honestly don't know the purpose of what I am doing, but it feels right, and seems to come naturally to me and all the participants. I guess it is not necessary to have the entire map laid at our feet to know we are going in the right direction.
It will be back to Thrush Avenue Scholars soon. I hope to have the members make some profiles and share their goals with others. Maybe we can even find people to mentor each of them and sponsor their activities. That would be a great learning collaboration!
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Day Before the First Day It was the day before school, and all through the town... Not a child was crying, nowhere was a frown. The excitement flowed rampant, what will my class be? Will my teacher be pretty or funny or mean? So now you know, poetry is not one of my artistic talents. However, there is something very special about the first day of school, and the excitement of starting new. There is the hope of better grades, friends, and lots of new experiences. At the Art Garage, we had been painting bookbags, and the kids stopped by to pick them up so they could use them for the first day. When they arrived, they wanted to play school. Just as an aside, right now I could go on and on about how we play in order to prepare ourselves for life, and how important play is, but that will be another blog post. Today I told them that we could play "college" since I teach college. They agreed and they all got started setting up the "classroom". I was amazed, as I had not given them one stitch of direction. I watched them prepare for class. Za'Kea gave everyone a tile and colored paint. Azaria got fresh water, and Davion passed out the paint brushes. Play is cool. Pretending to be at school really elevated their engagement. So I started the lesson with what I really do hope to ask the graduate students when I start with the new principal prep cohort next week? "Who are your favorite leaders?" The kids came up with a few notable names, Martin Luther King (my favorite too), and Lebron James. Then it was teachers, parents and my name even hit the list. We talked about the qualities they had that made them good leaders. Here are some of the things they said. Humor (someone who is funny and can make you laugh) Kind (caring, shows empathy* I did give them that word, but they agreed that was the right term) Team Player (working together, helping each other) Has Skills (this was mostly for Lebron, but it has a lot of merit) Respectful Responsible (takes responsibility) and my favorite LOVE. Yes love hit the list multiple times. We don't like to use that word in academia, but I think it is probably the best word on the list to describe a healthy work environment. When you show love to those who you serve, they trust you. Teachers know how powerful love can be in disolving issues. Most teacher will say that they do what they do because they love the students. So Love is the winning trait of the day for a good leader. Think about it. The Thrush Avenue Art Garage is going to close for the school year, but not really. We are becoming the Thrush Avenue Scholars. Serious scholars must apply. There will be free tutoring every Wednesday after school and support with homework on a regular basis. The plan is to have regular academic support, but also to teach how to be a good student.
I am a pro when it comes to school. I think I attended 26 years of my life as a full time student. And I was not always a good student. I had to learn how to be a good student. Being a good student is really about learning how I learn best. Here are the schools I attended. Willard Lincolnwood King Lab Haven North Shore Country Day Evanston Township High School Oakton Community College Southern Illinois University Carbondale Rutgers University of Quebec at Montreal Arcturus University of California SanDiego Well, that is a lot of school. The thing that turned it all around was when I knew what I wanted. I knew I wanted to be a scientist. I knew I wanted to create a new system of teaching. Once I knew, I had all of the motivation to truly learn. Grades never did it for me. The Thrush Avenue Scholar Program is more than just good grades. We will help students see themselves in their future roles. It helps to know where you are going when you are learning. Do you want to be a doctor, or a lawyer, or a investigative reporter? Well, let's find out all the skills we need to get there and start practicing them now! I had a science folder when I was little. I was always doing science experiments. Was I really preparing for my later career? Everyone comes into this life with gifts to share. It is up to us as a society to support and nurture those gifts. Just to make it fun, let's add in a little monitary incentive too!! REWARD FOR STRAIGHT As = 100$ (sponsor your student today!) It is hard to believe it is time to go back already. I remember not having to start until September, but that was a long time ago, no I will not tell you how long. The kids are getting ready, and so we decided to paint backpacks. It has been a great summer with lots of new experiences for all of us. I can't say it has been easy. I am learning that I am not a saint with unlimited patience. I am not the easy-going laid back hostess with the mostest.
I have learned most about boundaries and the importance of parents. I have heard teachers and leaders talk over and over about how they need the families to be involved, and there is nothing more apparent to me than this truth now. I have decided that I will close the garage early this year. I will be done for the summer and open up again at Easter. It is crazy to think the summer is over. What a depressing thought. But the good news is that I plan on starting to tutor those who really are committed and want to learn. The Art Garage will become "The Thrush Avenue Scholars" for the school year. These kids have a lot to offer, and I for one, don't want to see them fall through the cracks. |
Abigail LarrisonEducator, Scientist and Art Maker. The purpose of all life is to spread joy. What brings more joy than making art? Archives
November 2023
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