your start up disk is almost full!

I started to get pop ups like this during spring break, until I got one that said that it was full and I would have issues doing anything on the computer if I didn't take measures to "get rid of a lot of crap". The pop up didn't actually say that last part, but it's what I needed to do. Yesterday, the last day of my glorious 4 week spring break, seemed like as good a time as any to get my computer in working order again. As I was cleaning house I came across some images of projects that I have taught in the past before I started blogging.

This following project is one that was newly rediscovered.

I had introduced Filipino textiles and weavings to the 1st graders and they created a mixed media collage inspired by examples that I shared with them. In these weavings there is a combination of geometric and natural shape patterning. Sometimes the balance is tilted more towards the geometric, sometimes towards the natural. The style of these weavings is abstract in style, the artisans are not concerned with making things look 3d in their designs.

The weavings were worn or used in different ways, and originally only the wealthy wore the fancy ones on special occasions. The colors used to dye the thread and fabric came from plants and other natural sources as well.

Students cut strips of similar colors to create the stripe pattern first. Then I gave them scraps of fancy wallpaper to add geometric shapes to their paper design. The final step was to add patterns using natural shapes with a marker over top of the patterns they already created.

This project was a big hit with the kids because our site has a large Filipino community and the students love to share how many times they have visited the Philippines and who in their family still live there.

It's good to be back!