Devin’s handmade, original design, skateboard deck.
The planning phase
Some fine motor skills
Well underway
Devin began pricing out airbrushes for himself at this point…
Finished product!! Beautiful sk8 and a beautiful friendship!
No fun at all…
So many cool ideas…
Thanks dad for this amazing experience!
Mountainside Secondary was lucky to host singer, songwriter, producer, Stef Lang for an intimate and interactive songwriting session. With an anti-bullying undertone Stef led a moving discussion of how to take charge of your own destiny, persevere through adversity, and take care of each other. After much anticipation she played and sang for us and blew us away with her talent. When asked about how her voice became so rich she replied: “Practice”. Each student in the small group of six girls was brave enough to share their own writing or music, and Stef even turned a poem into a song on the spot. She left us inspired with her message of Practice, Perseverance, and Empowerment.
To co-construct a cross curricular project that begins with student interest and passion, focuses on the journey, emphasizes metacognition, and culminates with a presentation of the project.
Our Main goals are building self-awareness, empowerment, a sense of community, and providing opportunities for students to find their voice.
BELOW ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF THE 30+ PROJECTS!!
CULTURAL TATTOOS
ARTISTIC EXPOSURE
HUMAN SYSTEMS
CULTURED NAIL ART
OUTKAST SURVIVOR STORY
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS
ALTARED BOOK OF POETRY
TEEN EMPOWERMENT PROJECT
REPTILE AWARENESS
JEWELRY AND ARMOUR
ANIMATION PROJECT & GRAPHIC NOVEL
EMPOWERMENT PHOTOGRAPHY
THE ‘I HATE MATH WHAT CAN I DO?’ PROJECT
ANIMATION PROJECT
ARTISTIC INTERLUDE
A true visionary: Kenojuak Ashevak died yesterday at the age of 85. She has inspired my students to be free as artists. To be brave. To be themselves. I see the type of primal work she does in students who have never been told how to do art. It is pure magic.
I am so blessed to have one of her prints in my own home. Between Friends. Reminds me of my own little family and how to take care of each other. Thank you Ms. Ashevak.
For a beautifully written article check out The Globe and Mail
this is magic. truly. having an animal in the room changes everything. it altars the energy. makes us laugh, relax, open up, calm down, have fun, focus, let go…..
kids come from other areas of the school to check in with fella. bad days. fears. anxiety. anger.
here’s what the kids say:
“i personally think dogs should be at school. because they are therapeutic in their own way. not because they are fluffy and cute. because they are good and help kids. its very comforting and precious. when i feel sad or upset i pet fella. he keeps me calm and down to earth and gives me a purpose not to flip out.”
“fella makes me feel relaxed and more at home. he helps students when they are upset or when they need a big doggy kiss or hug. i enjoy his company and his encouraging smile while i work on my art.”
“the day i was really really angry at a staff member fella somehow opened me up to be able to talk about it. at first i felt really mad. i was hugging fella and i got a bit sad. then i felt better.”
“i love that dog”
it works on staff too…
1. cut 2 pieces of cardboard like donuts
2. wrap yarn around the donut- fanning it out evenly.
3. wrap until you can’t squeeze any more yarn through the donut hole
4. stick your scissor blade all the way through the yarn between the 2 pieces of cardboard and cut the yarn open.
5. braid/crochet your hanger thing
6. then wrap it around the centre and tie a knot
7. remove the cardboard pieces - either yank them or cut them
8. POMPOMS
so we are hooked - into it - can’t remember what we did before wheat paste came along… thanks again katthorsen.wordpress.com
what is so great is that it fits perfectly into the moments in between projects - those scary moments when we don’t quite know what to do next… a little five minute wheat paste drawing and we are inspired once again!!
CAN YOU GUESS WHOSE LYRICS I’VE BEEN DRAWING??? (ABOVE)
