A solution for the mean time...

After much on-line homework last night and some discussion at school today I have decided on the following solution...if you want the pdf photo tutorial for the wedge of lime, email me and I will email back!  It will be a quick return I promise!  It costs you nothing, so there's no risk. If you don't like it, you can bin it! Does that solve it and seam reasonable?  Until I learn more, that's the way it will be.  I tried using Google docs, but all I could do there was redo the whole document in that programme, and quite frankly that seemed too much last, sorry. There must be an easier way of uploading existing documents...anyone know how?  Let me know.

OK, enough moan-bonding...time for a picture to grab your imagination!

examples of denim bookmarks Year 7's make (picasa 'boost' setting again)

...talk about stretching the budget!  Our Year 7's experience a taste of Home Ec, one double per week.  So, we create a bookmark using the design process and scraps!  They get so 'into it'!

• INSPIRATION - looking at the materials, testing ideas with books and paper to see what works, existing bookmark characteristics ( folded corners, paper clips,a tissue)
• DESIGN - thumbnail sketches in their books and then a full scale sketch , pattern making from that
• CREATE - cut out, stitches, applique
• REFLECTION - a self assessment rubric, grading, photo shoot.  Email me if you want the rubric!

By the way, if you notice under the bookmarks, a great little activity from Wendy Gratz of Shiny Happy World  - Ninjas and Pirates.  Little finger puppets!  I did these with the kids before the create section of the bookmark, so they could experiment with permanent colour fabric markers, and learn running stitch.  30 minutes well spent!  check out YouTube for her videos, they are FANTASTIC!  The students think the view they have on the big screen close ups are better than me doing the demonstration to the group...fair enough. I let Wendy know I have used them and she is very happy for them to be used!  Subscribe to her email newsletters, or subscribe to her blog.  You get regular updates and links to new projects.  She has been working through a course of sewing and embroidery 101 series.  Terrific! A brilliant resource.  Download the YouTube download app to save them ad free and for use in the classroom. (It's free!)

So there you go.  an idea and some links.  Hope that gives you some ideas.

A wedge of lime for me

Here's a project the kids have enjoyed.  Year 9's have made these as a first project to get them thinking about skills and managing their equipment.  There are not many pins left lying around at the end of the lesson now they are using these babies! I was passed a copy from a friend via Claire B at a local school.  I don't know if Claire created this originally but it's terrific!  I developed these photo tutorial instructions  - a bit lengthy - in an effort to make the instructions very explicit and visual...did I achieve that? I have to admit the instructions I used with my first group were ignored in favour of 'what do I do now?' (say with bit of a whine for authenticity...:) I'd love to try these again, or if you do, please let  me know!

both photos edited with Picasa - 'lomoish'

What do you use in the classroom?  Did you have something like this when you were at school?

My next challenge is to share the tutorial with you!  I'll publish this now and go do a bit more research!