Update - March 7, 2009
Escuela Primeria Rural Federal "Jose Maria Morelos" in Santo Domingo Barrio Alto
February 19 and 20
On Feb 17, Adan and I met with several community members, the teachers and the School Director, to propose our idea of teaching in the primary school. We outlined a program to teach painting and colour theory in conjunction with learning about the ecology of northern Canada as compared to their local village in Oaxaca. Each child would make a journal to be used in the future to continue their research. The covers of these journals would be the paintings we would create in class.
We met with enthusiastic approval and were asked if we could visit all four classes for 2 hours each. So on Thursday, and Friday Feb 19 and 20th, Adan Paredes, Haruko Okano (who came to document the sessions with sound and photos) and I set off at 8 am to teach.
The school "Jose Maria Morelos" is housed in 3 concrete buildings, the classrooms are lined one one side with windows, complete with wooden or plastic desks chairs and a large blackboard. The entire school knew we were coming and were very excited. Most of them had as many questions for us as we did for them.
Isaac in grade 1.
The teaching format was roughly as follows. We started by introducing ourselves and pointing out on a map where we were and where Haruko and I lived in Canada (Vancouver and Whitehorse respectively). We began by asking the class what they could tell us about Canada. Adan created a list of the animals, birds, plants and fruit that could be found in each country on the board. We were treated to a multitude of stories about various animal, bird and reptile encounters by the children, some of which were quite entertaining. We discussed concepts such as endangered animals in both countries and how some animals, birds and insects migrated back and forth from Canada to Mexico. We challenged the older children with more concepts and more information and were encouraged by their knowledge.
The second part of the class involved the painting lessons. I started this section by asking the students to help me paint a rainbow. Once I explained that the 3 primary colours (Red, Blue and Yellow) could be used to create the other colours, the children were hooked. I showed them in turn how to mix orange (with yellow and red) and green (with Blue and Yellow) and purple (with red and Blue) and showed them how more of one colour changed the tone. I then asked the children to cover 1/3 of their sheet with all of the orange creatures they could identify from the list on the blackboard. Then we did the same with green and purple.
Grade 3 and 4 class.
Despite the hectic pace of the classrooms the children were totally absorbed by the painting and were sad when the classes were over. Each grade (we taught grades 1, 2 a 3/4 mix and a 5/6 mix) offered a unique experience and ultimately taught us different things. It was a rich experience for me and I was delighted to see how much they loved the painting.
Over the 2 days, I feel we got to know the children and teachers a little and I was heart warmed by their enthusiasm and openness. We were asked several times when we would be back. More importantly is that a connection between we artists and the community now exists..one that will be fostered in the future by Adan and Lorean at their studio.
So now when I walk down the road to work at the studio, I am greeted by the children we taught and some even remember my name, which is difficult in Spanish. It warms my heart and gives me a sense of belonging a little bit more to this place that is so far from my home.
Joyce, Feb 21 2009
Grade 3 and 4 class displays their work in front of school.