Sunday, January 30, 2011

How to be an Explorer of the World: Portable Art/Life Museum

"At any given moment, no matter where you are, there are hundreds of things around you that are interesting and worth documenting." -Keri Smith
"Ethnography, N. The documentation and analysis of a particular culture through field research."

As I think about stopping to smell the roses, and promoting the observation skills of artists and scientists, I am reminded of this COOL book. 
HOW TO BE AN EXPLORER OF THE WORLD
Here are some of my favorites you might want to consider personally and as a springboard for learning:
  • Inspire students to: Observe, Collect, Analyze, Compare, and Notice patterns."LIFE IS A SCAVENGER HUNT"
  • Write 10 things about where you are sitting RIGHT NOW that you hadn't noticed when you sat down. Use your senses. Do it quickly. Do not censor. Okay, begin.
  • WORLD of COLOR: Collect paint chips from a paint or hardware store. Find colors you respond to in the world. Attempt to match them using the chips.
  • CONSUMER: Record everything you consume OR everything you purchase in one day/week.
  • WATER: Study and document shapes made by water. Find as many as you can. Research shapes made by water. come up with new ones.
  • Now I will do nothing but LISTEN. "I hear all sounds running together, combined, fused, or following, sounds of the city, and sounds out of the city - sounds of the day and night. -Walt Whitman. Collect objects based on their sounds.
  • FOOD as ART: Prepare a meal paying close attention to all the details. Document the process in some form. Incorporate ALL the senses in your process. Share the meal with someone.
I also found a nice (and more detailed) post you should check out about the book by GeekDad
    So many ideas...this is a creative, cross-curricula book for parents, educators, and those who just want to notice and appreciate/learn from their environment. I highly recommend it.

    4 comments:

    Jamie Lynn Martin said...

    Thanks again for the book! I LOVE it. :)

    Anthony said...

    I am really enjoying it too! I have already started collecting supplies for one of the projects. Adam is going to LOVE it! I can't wait to see if there is a little scientist within him ;-)

    My sister is doing a science fair project now, I can't wait to show her the book and stir some ideas around.

    Anthony said...

    1. The flower print on the paper plate that is sitting on a computer tower in the lab.

    2. Woodie's houndstooth shirt.

    3. The star shape of the microphone holder that Doc left in here.

    4. The new background saver on the first mac in the lab.

    5. The birthday plates that are STILL in here from Stephen's birthday which was back in August.

    6. Amberly's purple bracelet that she or someone else made (I wonder what makes it significant.)

    7. Mosenya's glasses combined with her diamond studded necklace helps her appear to be vibrant and sassy.

    8. A blue, purple, pink, and teal painting behind the desk on the left of the lab. It is sitting on the floor.

    9. An amber thumb tack that Stephen plays with at work.

    10. Amberly's honkin' ring on her right hand wedding finger.

    Paige Vitulli said...

    Haha! I JUST found this (I need to blog more...it is on my to-do list). Very cool Anthony!