Day 27 - Teaching Art to Homeschool Children, Listening to Teens, and Helping a Teen with Grief Issues

Was asked to volunteer to teach art at the homeschool co-op that my daughters participate in on the first and third Fridays of each month. The children/teenagers are given different options during "social hour" of activities they can do, so the ones that come to my table are interested in art which is nice.

So, on Friday, November 21st, I taught the children and teens about artist trading cards (ATCs). Brought two books filled with ATCs that were made by artists throughout the world.

The first group was all teenagers (12-17 year olds), and they enjoyed looking at the different cards, asking how they were made (the ATCs were done by collage, painting, photography, embroidery, sewing...any method as long as it fits on a 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" card).

Some of the girls made cards, but I found that the girls really just needed someone to listen to them talk. One of the girls, who is probably around 14 years old, came in first. She stood by the table, and I asked her if she wanted to make an ATC. "I don't know. I just don't want to cry." It's one of those comments that makes you stop everything you're doing and listen.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"My dog died last night," she said. During the next 45 minutes, she shared more about her dog who was 12 years old, came from an abused home, and then her family adopted her. The dog had a tumor, and had to be put down. She shared information about her dog, and then was quiet. I would ask questions when I felt she was ready for another one. She'd answer.

We talked about ways to remember her dog, Ruby. She said she likes to draw and would draw a picture of her dog at home when she had a picture next to her. She also likes to write and started writing a story about Ruby. Told her that if she wanted to bring them in the next time, that I would enjoy seeing what she's drawn and written, and learn more about Ruby. She said she'd do that.

After that class, I had a group of enthusiastic K-6th graders who wanted to make ATCs. Some looked through the books to get inspiration, and others dove right in and created cards. All were happy with what they made. Some even traded cards with one another which was nice.

One girl (4th grade), was very interested in the way the cards were made. Spent some time answering questions about the process some of the artists used to make the cards. She thanked me at the end for bringing in the books. Whenever I teach art to this group of children, she always does the activity. She's also the one who coordinated "Project Quin" (sending clothes to native Alaskan children who are in a very remote village, and who don't have the basics).