Most of my English classes have four of five children in a class. I have a couple with three children and one right now with only two children. Right.. I TOLD the parents I would only teach a class if I had four children, but it starts out that way and then someone quits. I always get to feeling that I shouldn't cancel a class just because the ones who DIDN'T want to continue are no longer there and the class has only children who DO want to continue albeit a small class. So I end up with classes of two or three. (Bad business move, but I'm not in it for the business....)
But when one of the three or the two can't come then what...? The kids know me as a sucker. In one class I only had two students last week. In another class only ONE student.
"Tanya-sensei, there are only two of us today. If we continue in the book then ****-chan will get left behind. Let's sew."And you know me! I'd rather sew than teach English! But I don't have that many projects that can be whipped out in minutes for a sudden change of schedule. The one project that has proven to be great fun and a quickie is Happy Villages.
The REAL Happy Village project calls for collecting 10 solid fabrics and cutting them into shapes according to directions. Tiers... blocks... stair step cuts. But I didn't have the time to do that with the children.
"Here is my basket of scraps. Choose what you like and start cutting them into squares and rectangles. Now glue them on this batting (from my leftover box). Now start cutting triangles. And here is some yellow. Make lots of little squares for windows."For no preparation and the children having no idea of what they were doing we got a couple nice little Happy Villages. A smaller size than what the book recommends but big enough for a quick hours class.
The work for me though is to freehand quilt these before the next class. That's what I was doing yesterday and what I'll have to do this afternoon.
After quilting I sewed the collage onto black felt and hid the raw-edges with yarn. This would really be another sewing class for the children to do themselves... but I'm SUPPOSED to be teaching English. I can't use up another class for sewing!
10 comments:
The Happy Villages are delightful. I will take two, one for today and one for next week... no doubt the kids will tell you what each color is and how many windows, etc... when finished please send - I will pay.... tee hee....
The problem of filling the classes is one we all face. Teaching at a school solves some of the problems but not all. You still get paid but the school gets most and the kids that fall behind when absent may end up dropping out. My solution is games but I like your solution too.
Your English classs students are pretty creative. I like the Happy Villages. :)
I'm really impressed...I couldn't come up with an idea like that so quickly! Bet the kids can't wait to see the finished result.
These are just DARLING - I still want to make my own!!!
I am sure the kids are still learning English - and having fun while doing it. Even if it does mean more homework for you!
Those are fabulous. A new take on Happy Villages! :-)
Thank you for your continued enthusiasm for my Happy Villages! I love your latest projects with the children!! adorable!
Karen Eckmeier -author of Happy Villages
I loves these and the beautiful yarn around the edges make them so whimsical. You are an inspiration Tanya!
Oh, how cute...and these kids do love you..and what you can teach them, whether it be English or sewing...together they make a mighty team...what nice feelings you must have stored in your heart when your kids are successfull at whatever they attempt...I may have to try one of these myself...hugs, Pat in IN
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