12 weekends to go and counting

The title is a little bit unfair as I am not counting really but it does make it feel a very short period of time when you look at it as the number of times I might actually get to the EXITO again before returning to UK.

Today was a good day the end of the road for the TANGRAM project for 3 of the 5 Grade 6 classes and I have spent the last few nights preparing and setting up the Powerpoint presentation for the next project a Mothers Day Picture frame. It will be a fairly quick project as all parts will come flat packed ready for assembly apart from one "design" piece they need to add on as the individual or unique addition. Flat pack allows me to introduce mass production and to provide detail on one off designs and mass produced designs from the likes of IKEA or MFI.

Folio work will concentrate on a client profile and mood board. I am allowing 4 weeks or 8 lessons to complete the project 2 periods for introduction, 2 for folio work and then 4 for practical work including painting and finishing. If i was relying on the pupils cutting the wood it would take 3 times as long and include a vast amoount more waste. Though Nelson my technician who is preparing the materials for the project hates me as I have asked for 4 pieces of MDF cut to 1cm wide by 60cm long which will make the front area. The problem is I need 2000 !!! and I have a feeling if he achieves this before the 9th of April I will owe him a huge beer.

I have to admit I am getting a nice buzz moving into a new project as the current 2 have over run badly due to lack of hand skills from the kids, and sadly thats not something I can train but rather something they have to gain from practice.

I also received some of the Grade 8 Evaluations so far I have had 5 and the effort they have put in and the work they have done to reflect on their work both as individuals and as a group is really good. Of the 5 I have read through so far I have had no hesitation in allocating a Mark of 7 out of 7. Although the buildings are rough and some of the electronics wont be going into the design due to the time scale all pupils will get a good mark for their efforts ranging from 5 to 7 but I expect most to be in the range of 6 out of 7.

I have also been spending some time trying to reorganise and replan a curriculum across all 4 year groups for next year. But I will need to get in touch with Amman as they havent as yet given me a guide to what is actually on Inventory and before you plan in projects in any depth you really want to know what resources and equipment you have available. so think thats my next task for tonight.

Hasta manyana mi amigos buenos noches