art ed digested

Ukuleles are not, in fact, magic as I had previously devised. They require practice, which is the sticky widget for me, as I’ve never been one to practice any new hobby for an extended period of time (eg: piano, knitting, archery, yoga, bento…)

I’m trying to stick to this one, because I actually enjoy practicing. Hopefully my roommates and neighbors can say the same for my practice sessions- thankfully the ukulele is a fairly quiet instrument.

Here’s the latest installment:

Over spring break, a ukulele magically appeared in my hands. I’ve been playing non-stop since then, and have developed some fairly amazing fingertip callouses.

Since I sing, I’d never been too sad about my lack of instrument but I am now seeing hilarious possibilities for the classroom as well as entertaining my roommates. I am particularly interested in playing metal/rock on the uke. It’s fun to share my new skills with students here at school, and show them that I have to start at the beginning just like they do.

Perhaps I’ll share a little uke with you soon…

As a long-time enthusiast of sock puppets, I realize that I have never done a sock puppet lesson with my students. I think that perhaps the world at large does not understand what sock puppets are truly capable of… pretty much anything.

One of my favorite shows of all time is Sifl and Olly, a short-lived sock puppet show on MTV made by Liam Lynch. Sifl and Olly, though socks, have distinct personalities, mannerisms and even singing styles. There are also a cavalcade of peripheral characters that make appearances such as Chester the intern, and Precious Roy, home shopping network host.

I’d love to make music videos using sock puppets with the music teacher at my school, who also happens to be a fan of Sifl and Olly. For those uninitiated into the world of sock puppet, here are a couple example videos:

I have way too much fun making demos.

I’ve been approached by one of my colleagues to participate in a mummification experiment in conjunction with their unit on “Early Man”. They’re planning to mummify a chicken, a process which, unsurprisingly, is quite easy to find online in great detail. There are galleries full of mummified roasters and oven stuffers, even a few cornish game hens done up in the style of Egyptian royalty.

We are planning to first mummify the chickens and then create elaborately decorated sarcophagi to send them off in a manner befitting their regal nature. I’m hoping to sneak in a lesson on the Egyptian writing/numerical system to add stories to the decoration as well.

It’s disgusting and intriguing at the same time, which I love. This project is right up my alley.

Our third graders started their stop-motion preparations today, making backdrops, creating storyboards and dance moves for their puppets. Here’s a very quick example that using one of the student puppets and my demo puppet:

(includes what not to do- my hands make too many cameos! must practice more!)

I love this time-lapse video.  My co-teacher and I plan to attempt this later in the winter with some of our upper elementary students!

Tomorrow, I begin my position at Kingsley Montessori School.  I’ve just set up an online student gallery and can’t wait to start sharing the artwork my students create! I am full of energy, excitement and ideas.

Joyce Valenza tagged me with the “Five Things you don’t know about me” meme, and it seems like a nice way to personalize this fairly professional blog:

1. I participated in the lastest Boston Zombie March, in which I lurched from Davis Square to Central Square in zombie garb (pictured below).

2. I held the “shortest girl in the class” title from Kindergarten until about 7th grade, which subsequently also made me the limbo champion on the Bar and Bat Mitzvah party circuit.
3. My brother and I know the words to practically all Roy Orbison songs, and can each sing them for you with the precise lead lyrics and backup singer lyrics together. In addition to this, I also know pretty much all Patsy Cline and Billie Holiday songs, and will sing them at the drop of a hat.

4. I once worked as a country western line dancing instructor for senior citizens.

5. I’ve had a parade of interesting pets, including a gecko named Blanche DuBois, and Bess Beetles (pictured below) named Horatio and Fernando.

As I walked home from work this evening, I realized just how often I serenade my students.  Well, in truth, I’ll do just about anything to grab the interest and attention of a classroom.  Yesterday my gimmick involved wearing the discarded bathing suit of a pre-k girl as a hat while marching my campers back from the pool.

I tend to bridge the personas of a very serious professor and comedienne.