The TRADITIONAL activity of the season!

Balls made from old Christmas cards, or in this case, cool craft paper (I had a moment of being a craft snob there!)- this one is straight from yesteryear when we all recycled and kids were kept entertained with activities and imagination rather than a screen (that sounded more bitter than I meant!). For this, you cut 20 identically sized circles out and carefully fold each circle into a triangle with equal sides. Glue the bent sides together until you have formed a ball. For better instructions, see Maker Mamma at: http://www.makermama.com/2011/12/paper-ball-ornament-tutorial.html

The BEST Christmas activity of the year

Introducing....the origami Christmas tree- a triumph in design- this has easily been my favourite activity of the season! After discovering it on Pinterest (if you don't know what Pinterest is, Google it NOW, it will enhance your life!) I have been on a mission to teach everyone how to make them. Arts Award groups, post 16s, my parents, my children, my colleagues...

Vinyl Spiders

Take an old and *really bad* record, hang it up with yarn, bulk out it's top with tissue paper, add big scary or silly eyes and 8 spindly legs and- voila- a massive spider to hang from your ceiling! Visitors to Rawlins Academy will spot this in my window at the moment!

Ethiopian animals by student

One of my students has painted these for me because I'm off to Ethiopia soon! How beautiful they are- certainly worthy of a post!

ARTSMARK GOLD

Last night I had the honour of unveiling our certificate for Artsmark Gold in front of the many parents and supporters of our young artists at Rawlins. We have an incredible exhibition of artwork in the gallery if anyone wants to come in and see it.

Art Club Animation

Here is a still from our after school art club's collaborative animation. Each participant designed and made a character with special powers and we used plain wallpaper to create a scene. Next, everyone is putting their own faces into their own scenes!

Arts Award Enhancement Sessions

Arts Award is reaching lots of new students at Rawlins Academy this year. Year 7s, 10s and 11s as well as post 16s now come together each week for arts award enhancement- to share ideas, work together on portfolios and have a bit of a laugh. I threw this origami challenge in yesterday- it looks like a paper explosion!