Visual Arts Week One

Day's Activities	Related PLUS Materials
1. Story Telling / Mural Project 2. Mural Project 3. Mural Project 4. Photography 5. Circus Skills / Kite Making / Photography	Story Telling / Visual Arts Visual Arts Visual Arts Digital Photography Designing our World / Circus / Visual Arts / Digital Photography

Monday: Brooksby Campus - Peter Massey

The group consisted of slightly fewer than the ten originally anticipated and Pete started them off with painting abstract patterns onto tiles. There was some confusion over times for lunch and breaks, but overall this was engaging work. JD and Dizzie worked particularly well and Hoody showed a natural affinity for the work. Eel and Connor participated well. Connor showed off his freestyle rapping at break.

After lunch Pete introduced Pop Art and drawing. JD and Eel took to this well, but both Noel and Hoody were less confident with their results than in the morning. Yas and Juicy came back from lunch late and were disengaged until they were allowed to draw outside by the pond.

Tuesday: Brooksby - Peter Massey

The Learners were enjoying continuing painting onto large wooden tiles. JD, Juicy and Hoody all got on very well. Dez arrived and settled in working with Hoody. There were problems with Eel, Connor and J all coming to the project from the same organisation. They began to impose themselves on the others. J particularly got out of hand covering JD in blue paint. The others esp Yaz, Noel and Dizzie did well to disassociate themselves from this trouble.

Overall the work done was very good. J settled down and did good work too. The lack of voluntary support staff was a problem, but Suzanne did find time to begin some IRP reading with Juicy.

Wednesday: Brooksby - Peter Massey

As a result of three lads being picking on the previous day, Yaz left. Ka joined the project and settled in immediately. The Learners had developed a good relationship with Pete and the other workers and took to the activities brilliantly. Eel, J and Connor all showed their 'grave' humour creating some good rubbings in the church. Connor was dissuaded from tearing pages out of the chapel's Bible and read from it instead. Noel, Dizzie and Ka got on well with both activities and everybody made good badges, pressing them out of copper sheet and adding text and colour.

Thursday: Brooksby - Zoe Childerly & Kevin Ryan

After further problems with the behaviour of Eel, J and Connor, all three were dispatched to join the Drama group. Zoe and Kev challenged the Learners with presentations on photography and photographic techniques. Most of them concentrated surprisingly well and asked insightful questions. There were handouts and, although the task sheets weren't really followed, several of the Learners showed they had paid attention and took good photographs. Juicy participated better (after D arrived from the Drama group) and she and Noel did some good IRP work.

Friday: Brooksby - Karen Legg & Sue Whitworth

There was a mix of excitement and frustration around these activities. Everyone enjoyed the element of fun and play. This also allowed them to try difficult circus skills without giving up early on. One or two Learners found the kite making a little difficult, but enjoyed it nonetheless. It was a day of laughter with a nice picnic at lunchtime. Another positive note was how many of the Learners were engaged with an IRP text. Juicy was already moving onto fresh books at home.