Saturday, March 20, 2010
Rwanda Project is a go!
The Middle School Humanities teacher received my letter on March 8.
On Tues. March 9: I spoke with Mark Overley, owner of Kaladis coffee about possible donations for the project but I wasn't sure about the date yet. He was eager to assist and told me to tell him what I needed and when. I then went to the school and spoke with the Humanities teacher about the possible dates on March 9 and realized the only day that this would be possible was Mon. March 15, but she needed to ok it with the science teacher so that I could have 2x1.5 hour blocks. This would mean having 48 rather than 24 kids. The science teacher approved.
On Thurs. March 11: I received the ok from my Dept.head. I then went to meet with Hadija and informed her of the project and asked if there was anyway that she could pull off speaking with the students on the following Mon. She was beside herself and arranged to have someone cover her class for a bit so that she could speak at Rocky Mountain School of Expeditionary Learning.
On Friday March 12: I spoke with Mark Overly again and told him of the rapidity of the project and he said he could have coffee beans and grounds, from Rwanda as well as other places ready for pick up on Sun. I then proceeded to create the PowerPoint for the project and finalize plans for the project.
Sat. March 13: I interviewed a teacher that had some good pointers, as this was my first time teaching an Art Education lesson plan, he gave some good pointers and tips. I then went to the the art supply store.
Sun. March 14: I went to another art supply store, finalized the PowerPoint, picked up the coffee. That night I slept for about an hour as I was going through the details of Mon. step by step and resolving as many unresolved details that I had not thought of previously. Then my son was up sick for a good portion of the night.
Mon March 15: I met with my instructor, Rachel Delaney and made a few adjustments to the plan. Drank 2 shots of Espresso and a Chai tea and then I went to RMSEL. I arrived at RMSEL around 10:40ish and set up the materials for the day with another of my instructors, Erika, that is involved in this class. She helped tremendously with the set up. A friend that has a student in this class, who used to be an Art teacher as well also showed up to assist me. Thank you to these two as well as the two hosting teachers Mary and Erin!!!
12:30 Project Time! Hadija arrived and spoke with the kids, I did the introduction to the plan and the kids had about an hour and 20 minutes to create their idea and implement it.
4:20 The project is completed, the space is clean, we are packed up and drive away. Success:)
On Tues. March 9: I spoke with Mark Overley, owner of Kaladis coffee about possible donations for the project but I wasn't sure about the date yet. He was eager to assist and told me to tell him what I needed and when. I then went to the school and spoke with the Humanities teacher about the possible dates on March 9 and realized the only day that this would be possible was Mon. March 15, but she needed to ok it with the science teacher so that I could have 2x1.5 hour blocks. This would mean having 48 rather than 24 kids. The science teacher approved.
On Thurs. March 11: I received the ok from my Dept.head. I then went to meet with Hadija and informed her of the project and asked if there was anyway that she could pull off speaking with the students on the following Mon. She was beside herself and arranged to have someone cover her class for a bit so that she could speak at Rocky Mountain School of Expeditionary Learning.
On Friday March 12: I spoke with Mark Overly again and told him of the rapidity of the project and he said he could have coffee beans and grounds, from Rwanda as well as other places ready for pick up on Sun. I then proceeded to create the PowerPoint for the project and finalize plans for the project.
Sat. March 13: I interviewed a teacher that had some good pointers, as this was my first time teaching an Art Education lesson plan, he gave some good pointers and tips. I then went to the the art supply store.
Sun. March 14: I went to another art supply store, finalized the PowerPoint, picked up the coffee. That night I slept for about an hour as I was going through the details of Mon. step by step and resolving as many unresolved details that I had not thought of previously. Then my son was up sick for a good portion of the night.
Mon March 15: I met with my instructor, Rachel Delaney and made a few adjustments to the plan. Drank 2 shots of Espresso and a Chai tea and then I went to RMSEL. I arrived at RMSEL around 10:40ish and set up the materials for the day with another of my instructors, Erika, that is involved in this class. She helped tremendously with the set up. A friend that has a student in this class, who used to be an Art teacher as well also showed up to assist me. Thank you to these two as well as the two hosting teachers Mary and Erin!!!
12:30 Project Time! Hadija arrived and spoke with the kids, I did the introduction to the plan and the kids had about an hour and 20 minutes to create their idea and implement it.
4:20 The project is completed, the space is clean, we are packed up and drive away. Success:)
Remembering Rwanda Middle School Project
Following is a letter that I sent out requesting to do an art project in a humanities class in remembrance of Rwanda.
To Whom it May Concern,
My name is Jennifer Mason and I am currently attending the Art Education program at Metropolitan State College and am currently in a Professional Practicum class where we have the opportunity to plan, design, and instruct a one-week studio workshop to students. This will allow me to become more familiar with the teaching environment. I am writing to ask for a chance to do a lesson with your Humanities class during the week of March 15-19. I realize that this extremely short notice but I recently had the honor of meeting Dr Hadidja Nyiransekuye from the African American Studies program here at Metropolitan State College. She has asked for assistance in a Symposium that she is organizing in remembrance of those that have died and suffered in Rwanda. The symposium is scheduled for April 6,7,8, and 12 with a parade through campus and then ending at St. Cajetan's where there will be a memorial of art created by anyone who contributes to the project.
Dr. Nyiransekuye has asked for our help in this remembrance and it is fully open to anything that we can come up with. I am interested in opening this event up further to the schools in our community. I know that students study various topics such as the Civil Rights movement, Native American Studies such as The Sandcreek Massacre, etc. Even though Rwanda is on the other side of the world, it is an event that has recently happened and there is a call for help in our community. I see this as an opportunity for children to learn about this current event, respond to this call for help and offer their support to the people in Rwanda. This type of event is the perfect opportunity for communities to come together and voices to be heard.
The manner in which I propose to teach this workshop is to ask the students to create a banner made on burlap using coffee, coffee beans, grounds and various other materials to use in recognition of celebrating their own success on their path along with those that have helped them. The reason for the use of coffee as it is a major source of agricultural income for Rwanda and is therefore in integral part of the structure of their culture. Using these materials offers a way in which to tactilely connect and communicate to those in Rwanda. On the other side of the banner I will ask them to offer encouragement, hope and success to those in Rwanda. These banners will be displayed along the path of remembrance parade at Metropolitan State College and then I plan to display images and possibly videos of the banners and events on the internet. I would also like to send these banners to Rwanda if it is feasible. I thank you for your consideration in this manner and hope that we can work together.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Mason
To Whom it May Concern,
My name is Jennifer Mason and I am currently attending the Art Education program at Metropolitan State College and am currently in a Professional Practicum class where we have the opportunity to plan, design, and instruct a one-week studio workshop to students. This will allow me to become more familiar with the teaching environment. I am writing to ask for a chance to do a lesson with your Humanities class during the week of March 15-19. I realize that this extremely short notice but I recently had the honor of meeting Dr Hadidja Nyiransekuye from the African American Studies program here at Metropolitan State College. She has asked for assistance in a Symposium that she is organizing in remembrance of those that have died and suffered in Rwanda. The symposium is scheduled for April 6,7,8, and 12 with a parade through campus and then ending at St. Cajetan's where there will be a memorial of art created by anyone who contributes to the project.
Dr. Nyiransekuye has asked for our help in this remembrance and it is fully open to anything that we can come up with. I am interested in opening this event up further to the schools in our community. I know that students study various topics such as the Civil Rights movement, Native American Studies such as The Sandcreek Massacre, etc. Even though Rwanda is on the other side of the world, it is an event that has recently happened and there is a call for help in our community. I see this as an opportunity for children to learn about this current event, respond to this call for help and offer their support to the people in Rwanda. This type of event is the perfect opportunity for communities to come together and voices to be heard.
The manner in which I propose to teach this workshop is to ask the students to create a banner made on burlap using coffee, coffee beans, grounds and various other materials to use in recognition of celebrating their own success on their path along with those that have helped them. The reason for the use of coffee as it is a major source of agricultural income for Rwanda and is therefore in integral part of the structure of their culture. Using these materials offers a way in which to tactilely connect and communicate to those in Rwanda. On the other side of the banner I will ask them to offer encouragement, hope and success to those in Rwanda. These banners will be displayed along the path of remembrance parade at Metropolitan State College and then I plan to display images and possibly videos of the banners and events on the internet. I would also like to send these banners to Rwanda if it is feasible. I thank you for your consideration in this manner and hope that we can work together.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Mason
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