3rd Workshop of Textiles: Cool down

Monday, April 4, 2016

  

“Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere.” (Carl Sagan, american scientist, 1934-1996)

In this workshop we were challenged.

In the beginning of the workshop we learned to weave. Weaving can be so relaxing!

This technique allows us to do an amount of incredible artworks and take us to a very cool down state of mind.

On the second par of the class we created a puppet. We had to think about in which kinds of situations it can be use and about future activities where is possible to include it.

My puppet it calls Bongo, the African King, and it is very powerful. I would use it during the group´s reunions. Sometimes it could give some challenges to the group, help the educator in moments where children are more restless and being use in a storyteller.

All this work led me think.

Weaving is a labor that takes care of our spirit. When the child weaves it is transported to a very calm place, where does not exists rush.

This task demands concentration and focus. Hands and brain needs to be in a perfect harmony during the work. Because of the small movements from the fingers, it also develops the fine motor skills from the child. 
This activity can be challenging. The children can weave a mat, bracelets, little dolls and any other props for the classroom´s space. 
Weaving is an ecological activity. The pedagogue should try to use only natural wool. In this type of art it is also possible to incorporate Nature´s elements, like leaves, shells, flowers…

When a child weaves for the first time the educator should give it small works. As the child starts to be more involved into weaving the educator can give bigger challenges.

The works must be exposed for the families can see what the group has been doing.

Weaving in outdoors can also be a very positivity experience. Weaving in the playground or even in the woods with that marvelous atmosphere can be really inspiring.

The puppet can bring joyful moments to the group. Working with puppets develops the social capacity, the emotional part, communicative ability and the self-knowledge.

The pedagogue can create it a background and give it a personality. The children should be involved in the creation of the puppets. When more involved the children are with the didactical materials more deeper it will be their apprenticeship.

Evaluation of Music: Malhão

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Going to abroad made me not only know other different cultures, but also discover more about my own cultural heritage. Our music teacher invited us to participate in the music´s evaluation and challenged us to prepare something that was attached to our culture.

When you talk about Portuguese music it is impossible don´t mention Fado, our biggest treasure. Fado means destiny. 

For the first part we prepared a moment of listening. Music doesn’t need words to be understandable. We asked for the group to close their eyes and listen two plays of Fado and try to feel what the singer was singing. 

On the second part we taught to dance Malhão, an ancient and typical dance from the North part of Portugal. After a while the whole group was already dancing with some confidence.

Learning this dance it was really fun and the whole group was excited to have participates in such a special moment.

In here you can listen the tracks used in this session:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6RVgZLzDjU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Hm692FACmM

You can also have a look about Malhão in here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJBn_DpTz3g