I got a letter in the mail last week from the US Dept of Education saying that I'd been selected randomly for a voluntary survey through the Census Bureau to help get a better picture of the state of education in America. It said that I'd receive the survey in a few days, and there would be a gift enclosed as a thanks for my participation.

There's apparently this Rule of Reciprocity that exists in the world. It says that if you receive something for free, you are likely to contribute, or repay the favor. It's why they give out samples at Costco. And most probably why I got $5 in the mail!

This morning, I was praying on the way to work, as I do sometimes.

My prayer was this: God, be the puppeteer. Be my ventriloquist.

Graphic Design

When I first applied to SCAD, I applied as a Graphic Design major. I switched to Film/Video with a minor in Acting and Stage Movement after discovering that I loved making videos with my video camera. Then, what I realized is that I really loved drawing the story boards for videos. I didn't feel compelled to learn how to use the camera. It was too intimidating. So, then I switched my major to Illustration.

Now, I'm a teacher. I'm a second grade classroom teacher at a Title I inner city public school.

I listened to my heart each time I changed my major. I felt pulled to make those choices. Even when I decided to go back to school to become a teacher. I felt propelled.

Teaching public school is quite different from illustrating. I'm figuring out how to listen to my creative voice. I'm recognizing that I don't do it often. I have to "shush" it sometimes so that I can be analytical, and tidy with my time, and to think on a time line. I feel drawn to create, and tell a story. To share something. I've been using my digital sketchbook on my iPad. It's sparking something.

Perhaps everything does happen for a reason. Everything is connected, and I've just got to trust that I'm exactly where I'm meant to be. And when I'm ready to start painting again, it'll happen.

Amazing Free Climbing French Woman from the 1980s in Africa

My mom shared this video with me yesterday. Catherine Destivelle free climbed one of the most amazing rock faces in Africa. By herself. Without ropes. I'm amazed by her. She was 28 when she made this climb. And this happened in the 1980s! Why have I never heard of her before. I don't know how to post the video straight away, so I just made a screen capture. The link to the video is below. Prepare to be amazed!!!

Click here to see a very brave woman climb a mountain with her bare hands!!!

My New Classroom Home

Big Girl Coloring Book

"Sassy Face"

Colourlovers.com is like a coloring book for grown-ups; it's a great creative outlet. You can create new colors, color patterns, and you even get to name what you create (which is one of my favorite parts). All of your colors, palettes, and patterns save to your account (here's mine), and you can download them to your computer, or upload them to other sites. It's also educational. You can read about color trends in interior design, websites, and fashion.

I hadn't been to the site in a few months, and I found that they've added a fun new feature: you can now CREATE repeating patterns, not just color the ones that are provided.

"Favorite Things"

And, I also discovered a link to a site called Spoonflower. When you create a pattern, you can upload it right to Spoonflower, and they'll print it onto fabric for you. It starts at about 18 dollars a yard, but for special projects like throw pillows, quilts, dresses/skirts, aprons, baby blankets, tea towels, etc., it's a fantastic resource.

Thank You, Milk.

About a year ago, while perusing the magazines at Barnes and Noble, I came across the most wonderful find: Milk magazine. I noticed the cover, even though it was near the back row. I pulled it from the recesses, and was immediately inspired. Every page is beautiful, and unexpected. Milk is a French children's fashion publication. All of the articles are, of course, in French. I took French in high school, can proudly say my name, and learned some inappropriate sayings from a close family friend, who happens to be French. Basically, I can recognize some words here and there: "les", "est", "de", "du photographe." But, for the most part, I just have to guess about the content of the article, or go to babelfish for an estimation.

Despite the fact that I can't really read the magazine, it's well worth the 12.99 price tag. It's art, sophisticated, and fresh. The ads are pretty. The fashion is, of course, incredible. The most fun articles feature "high fashion." I've learned that children's high fashion is cooler than adult high fashion. I think it's because it's innocent, and whimsical, and functional. It's "costumey", but appropriately so. Children are supposed to wear absurd medleys. It's not silly and ridiculous for children to wear silly and ridiculous ensembles. It's bona fide.

Milk makes me want to draw and paint. That's probably why I love it the most. At a time in my life when textbooks have taken precedence over sketchbooks, I've needed a creative motivator.

Thanks, Milk!

(I got a lil' paint on this one. Oops.)

An Apple for the Teacher

I recently completed my first student teaching assignment. It was amazing, to say the least. The school where I taught for 7 weeks is an ideal learning environment. The curriculum positively encourages creativity, individuality, collaboration, and exploration, and houses a goldmine of passionate and dedicated faculty. My cooperating teacher was a wonderful mentor; she shared with me her 16-year perspective on teaching, encouraged, and counseled me. The children were perfect little teachers for me, too. They taught me first-hand the concepts that I'd only read about in books. Example: multiple intelligences exist! I learned some great new teaching and management strategies, and learned how important parental involvement is to student success. The whole experience helped me to grow as an educator, and I am very grateful to have had such a positive learning adventure.

The class made a "Thank You" book for me that I received on my last day. It is filled with illustrated thank you notes from each child, all bound in a red construction paper cover. I will cherish it forever.

I painted a little thank you gift for my cooperating teacher: a class portrait.

Fig

Fig the Rhyming Pig (Sock Puppet)!

materials:

• pink sock
• pink felt (for nose, ears, and tail)
• red felt (for tongue)
• white felt (for eyes)
• black sharpie (for eyes)
• glue gun (to make it all come together)

Fig the Pig likes to introduce (and help out) during lessons about rhyming. Rhyming activities help to increase children's phonological awareness and reading fluency, and this increases reading comprehension (the whole point of reading).

I wasn't sure how the children would react when I introduced Fig before reading 'Jillian Jigs' to them this week. I thought that maybe they would roll their eyes at me, or say, "We know that's your hand in there, Miss Pinkerton!" But, they didn't do either of those things. They talked to Fig. They looked at the sock with felt eyes, and talked to it about the book we were about to read!

Happy Inside

IKEA has a commercial (that I've only seen on youtube) that features cats exploring and finding comfort in one of their stores after hours. This is my favorite shot from this tiny-film. The entire piece is only 1 minute, just long enough to tell a perfect little story. Here's the link to the video: Happy Inside. And, here's a link to how they did it: how they did it.

Also, I think they chose the perfect song for the mini-soundtrack. (It sort of reminds me of that song in the Charlie Brown Christmas cartoon.) The artist's name is Mara Carlyle. I believe I'll be downloading some of her music this afternoon.