Saturday, January 8, 2011

Back to school.......

As part of our commitment at school we have to offer after-school activities or lunchtime clubs to all our pupils.Over the years I have done many things,ornithology,calligraphy,art & craft,model making,knitting,nature club and gardening.However,I like to have a change and far better to do something that I enjoy rather than just filling in time.So last term I started a Junior chef club,which has been so popular and is is a real pleasure to teach.I have thirteen very enthusiastic chefs(aged 8-10yrs) who have their own aprons,chopping boards and peelers etc.We have learned how to make  soup,bread,chutney,pies,crumbles and sauces and then lately we did  cakes,mince pies and then finished the term with cake decoration which was really enjoyable.I just wanted to show you some of their efforts. Children are far more conditioned to' have a go and never mind the consequences' and I let them loose with fondant icing and edible glitter etc and they had a wonderful time......I think they did really well.

My other club is on a Tuesday lunchtime and I teach sewing to twenty girls aged
(5to10 yrs}They start off with very simple things like needlecases and pincushions and then graduate onto embroidery,patchwork,cushions and bags.Some of the older girls use the machine and are learning to cut out patterns.We have made heart cushions for mothers day, mice,angels and this term we made owls out of felted woolly jumpers and stuffed them with lentils and kapok so they are like beanie owls.

Here are a few of the finished, rather quizzical looking owls.
So I am happy to be at school again. I am not a great cook or particularly skilled with a needle but I am keen to pass on the domestic arts and I think it is really important not to just teach but to inspire and enthuse children.....and sadly many of these things are no longer on offer in our schools.
Have a great weekend
Anne x

11 comments:

Unknown said...

The little owls are excellent - well done girls! As for the cakes - yummy yum!

sylviesgarden said...

Such a great idea, there are not enough crafts taught in school these days. The owls are so sweet.
x

imperfectly natural mama said...

I admire how happy you are to be going back to school and your enthusiasm for running your clubs. I am a teacher too, of art in a secondary school and I cannot say I was pleased to go back!

lemonade kitty said...

The kids at school must all love you for thinking up so many ways to " educate" them while having sooo much fun, please can I join in lol. Love the little owls and the snowmen cakes will melt in the mouth, Lucey xx

Hen said...

I couldn't agree more, Anne. What you are doing is wonderful and it is the teaching if this sort of thing which is sadly lacking in our schools today.
Hen x

RosieB said...

I agree, its sad these things are missing in schools. Well done for giving these kids such a good start and showing them that it can be fun. Scary to think how little kids learn in school about taking care of their own needs.

Ara said...

So cute. I believe the kids really enjoyed as well. Great job for the muffins and also to the owls. =) Looking forward for more fun.

Diane said...

Its brilliant that you are teaching such fantastic skills - that will stay with them forever.

Mac n' Janet said...

It's always more fun to teach what we love.
The cupcakes look yummy and I love the little owls.

Suzie Sews At DOTTY RED said...

Kids just blow you away with their creativity, How lucky to have some one like you to go and and do this stuff, loving those owls...

jordiegirl said...

Everything looks wonderful, you are doing a great job.

I love working with the children at lunchtime in school and we do outdoor games with them, Teachers do lunch time clubs and after school clubs. It is such a shame that they don't learn to knit and sew in primary schools these days the way we used to. Keep up the good work.