So last night I didn’t post. Because I suck. Actually, there are a few reasons I didn’t post, but that doesn’t really matter. I’m here now, right?
Sometimes I wonder what else I would write on this blog if I knew it wasn’t public, or that many people could find it. The past two days have been a little tough, and for reasons I should not and cannot discuss, if I want to be considered professional. More than anything else, I wonder when confrontation changed from face to face to behind the internet, and I also wonder how many people get hurt on a daily basis about the careless comments other people make. I also wish I had the guts to defend and protect and step up when it is necessary. After seeing someone amazing get hurt several times over, it’s becoming more compelling every day to put on the Superman suit under my work clothes… I know my followers probably don’t need to hear this, but maybe some of your friends or kids need to: don’t be a coward. Don’t say hurtful things as if they have no consequence. Don’t be stupid and foolish enough to think that you can keep those things a secret when they’re floating around in the universe for anyone to find. And don’t do it to the people I love. Because I’m not afraid. I’m a Hufflepuff, and we are fiercely loyal and never interfere until we are attacked. Once that happens, you better tuck your tail and run. I will dig you out of the ground if I must.
Ashley’s beautiful india ink painting!
Okay, end rant. Sorry. Other, amazing things have happened, too (and they obviously outweigh any bad!)
Ortega’s Tower Bridge is coming along so beautifully!
Bowers finally came back to school today! HOORAY! We all missed her, but I especially did! Yesterday I was with Mr. Reagan, who was SO awesome, but it still felt weird not having Bowers there. Today we were day-dreaming about co-teaching. We decided we would take over the world, if it were possible for the two of us to work together. It was awesome.
Dylis’ prisma has progressed so much. These skin tones are so gorgeous.
So Monday we are starting a mixed media assignment with first block! It’s going to be so awesome. 🙂 I love mixed media, it’s one of the things I feel comfortable and confident doing. I actually have quite a few students who are interested in doing embroidery! AB already has this gorgeous piece mapped out, but Kristen is going to embroider her work, too!
KDunn’s portrait/mixed media piece in the beginning stages!
Do you guys remember the project of Caroline’s I was talking about last blog? Take a look at this! I am so in love with it:
Caroline’s painting!
A detail shot of the painting! She used paint palettes and is now adding color on top of them.
Bailey’s prisma. The reflections are so awesome.
Today, eighth grade had their first “Experimental Friday.” Every Friday, Bowers allows anyone in any of her classes (except for maybe AP) to work on something different, usually visual journals! Today our sweet 8th graders worked on theirs for the first time! Bowers gave a demo on bleeding tissue paper (one of my FAVORITE things ever)!
Bowers giving a demo!
Our 8th graders made some BEAUTIFUL pages today — I am so moved by their kind hearts.
Stevi experimenting with bleeding tissue paper!
Mallory’s visual journal page
Jesse’s visual journal
Stevi and Mallory tag-teaming a page.
My beautiful classroom and gorgeous students working hard in their journals.
These kids skills have improved so much in just two short weeks. They are such great listeners, and have been working hard. I love seeing their faces every single day, knowing they are eager and excited to be in our class. Their visual journal pages were beautiful.
Danielle’s visual journal page, inspired by song lyrics by Passenger (I think…)
Macy’s awesome visual journal page! Love the tufts of tissue paper.
4th period’s clay project is going really well! We have a lot of students making pinch pot cups (Ted would be so glad!) and the homage idea has been so beautiful. Jade is paying homage to Poe:
Audrey started a new piece today… it might look familiar to some of you:
Audrey’s started a new breadth piece for her AP concentration!
I’m so excited. She’s doing the entire base in watercolor, then she’s going on top of it with prisma and chalk pastel. It’s going to be gorgeous.
So today, for the first time in a long time, I took out a big canvas and started a piece. Bowers talked it out with me. It felt so good to just start working something out without really knowing what the end result was going to be. As I started gesso-ing my found drawing board, I realized in a way it really felt like my life. I know that sounds ridiculous, but this past month and the future months as well hold nothing but unknown territory for me. I don’t know how I’m going to pay my bills, not sure I’m going to find a job when I graduate, I have no idea if I will be successful in an elementary school, I have no idea where I’ll be living or what my life will be like… but the idea of all the things that CAN happen are so incredible and beautiful it’s almost worth the terror of uncharted waters.
Maybe it’s okay to let things happen. Maybe it’s okay to not be certain of what’s next in line. Maybe it’s okay to work it as you go and to accept what comes, and what doesn’t. Maybe it’s okay to fail and try again until you figure it out. Maybe all those things together can make something really beautiful…
Today, after most of AP had cleared out, AB turned around as she was walking out the door and said something magic:
“Love you, Ms. Mockett”
Song of the blog:
AIN’T IT FUN // PARAMORE
The Teacher Learning Process 