A Poem by Dalia (grade 7) & Miss Natalie

HAIR
Mohawks
UP-DOs
French twist
Loop-ti-Loos
Highlights
Lowlights
Streaks of pink
"Did you even think?" (Mom)
Braids
Hairspray, gel, and mousse
Feathered bangs
Long bangs
Up straight
Fried out
Cut it off
Grow it out
Get angry
PULL IT OUT!

I'm sure that the fashion module will be my favorite. I love the idea of fashion, yet I will need some time to see how it connects with education, overall.

I think that there is a bridge between the art of making clothing or creating trends and education. We certainly see trends come and go in the profession/science/art of education and we see them resurface or fade away like things within the fashion world. I also feel that it's so much more than simply clothing, shoes, bags, and accessories. I have been shocked in and throughout each module the complexity of the art and I am sure it will be no different in this case.

Music Module

Music and its many facets is comparable to education in that they both have endless possibilities and complexities. Often, I feel that people are under the impression that teaching is a simple act that anyone can do. Any teacher will confess, that's not always the case. There is some depth to the whole act. We would also say that there is diversity in the practice. It's rhythmic operation of sorts.

Musicians make it look so easy, don't they? Clearly we know that it's not that simple for the majority to sing, play instruments, write lyrics, compose music, and perform. This requires dedication, practice, a formal education at times, and of course, the gift.

Could it be that teachers in front of the class make it look easy? I think, yes. There is obviously a level of comfort in what we do. Teachers have a gift or have adopt strategies that allow for "sliding" through difficult moments in the classroom. In this way, we improvise as any musician would do while performing. Likewise, we teachers as musicians want to leave our audience feeling compelled or touched emotionally or mentally in some way.

It's not an easy task for most, and it requires the "gift" I speak of or a tremendous amount of practice and experience. There are days when we feel "right on" and others when the performance didn't feel effective or profound. In any case, that's the goal.

Food for Thought

What I feel is that art is like education in that you can work to learn many aspects of it, but some artists and teachers have a gift that just gets grander with practice and time.

Interior Design and Architecture

Interior design and architecture, in my opinion, are a lot like education as a profession in many ways. First, they are beautiful, intricate, and complex. At times the result is so pleasing and profound that the work, knowledge, and sheer talent that go in to the creation are often overlooked and thought of as something easily accomplished. Not so!

I wanted to add a bit more about the film making process from the perspective of a beginner. It reminded me a bit of my first experience as a teacher- the first three or four years to be honest. I am realizing now that the imaginative bridge is that without years of experience and failures, you have nothing with which to draw on. It's a work in process and we are always getting better.