Saturday, December 23, 2006

TERM TWO PLANS FOR WINTER 2007

Starting THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, plans are to continue the Current Issues and Art Studio courses in the mornings, and to work on our 4th drama production in the afternoons.
LOCATION is the same as this past term:
Christian Life Assembly -- 165 King Street West, Dundas
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CURRENT ISSUES will continue. This term we will discuss the book, Technopoly: The Surrender of Culture to Technology, by Neil Postman.
"In this witty, often terrifying work of cultural criticism, the author of Amusing Ourselves to Death chronicles our transformation into a Technopoly: a society that no longer merely uses technology as a support system but instead is shaped by it--with radical consequences for the meanings of politics, art, education, intelligence, and truth."
"Born in Brooklyn, New York, and educated at the State University of New York and Columbia University, Neil Postman is a communications theorist, educator, and writer who has been deeply involved with the issue of the impact of the media and advanced communications technology on American culture. In his many books, Postman has strongly opposed the idea that technology will "save" humanity. In fact, he has focused on the negative ways in which television and computers alter social behavior. In his book Technopoly, Postman argues that the uncontrolled growth of technology destroys humanity by creating a culture with no moral structure. Thus, technology can be a dangerous enemy as well as a good friend."



Lisa VanderWoude will continue teaching ART STUDIO. This term will focus on weekly exercises incorporating more eye training using real life objects for students to copy. Lisa would work on small eye related assignments each week to help students grasp how the visual world works, how illusion works, how colour is not how we think it appears ("the black and red boat isn't actually black and red") and more! There would be an end of session project which would incorporate some (or all!) of the exercises attempted in the weekly lessons using actual real-life set up objects.



Yes, we are doing another DRAMA production! We know that this is a highlight of term two and are scheduling this in for Thursday afternoons. Even if you think you don’t like Drama, you may be surprised. We’ve heard that statement mentioned by a few timid souls who changed their minds once they got involved. There are many parts, both large and small, but there are also many behind-the-scenes jobs that need to be filled: Stage Manager, Set Design, Costume Design, Make-up, Props, Sound, Lighting, Programs/Promotion. So there’s something for everyone!

WOODWORKING FALL 2006

Chris Norman of Chris's Woodworking led classes that taught how to safely use the following power tools: Table Saw, Compound Mitre Saw ("Chop Saw"), Band Saw, Router, Drill Press, Sanders

This hands-on program allowed the students to build various projects to develop their skills and confidence, and they were also able to design and build a custom project of their choice. There was also time to make some projects for kids in the hospital and the elderly. They learned about fasteners and the types of wood available and how to oil and stain wood properly. The focus was on fun, safety & creativity!



Everyone started out by building a battle ship or cruise ship which allowed the use of each machine in the shop.

Then students took on a variety of individual projects including chairs, bird houses and feeders, Christmas decorations, shelves, candle stands, airplanes, and a horse barn.
Awesome work!

Stefan's chair - pretty cool!

so is Dylan's!

SEWING FALL 2006

Deanna Jansen led a sewing class in the afternoons. She's enthusiastic about the life-skill of sewing and has many years of sewing experience.

It is her aim to spark a healthy interest in sewing in the teens, as there are unlimited possibilities to enhance wardrobes or personal space, once one has a good foundation of sewing skills. Starting with getting comfortable with the machine, she taught the basics of sewing--pattern and fabric selection, layout and cutting of pattern pieces, general garment construction, and tips for a professional look and fit.



Friday, December 22, 2006

STUDENT PAINTINGS FALL 2006

Paintings in progress -- great work guys!
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ART STUDIO FALL 2006

Lisa Vanderwoude (BA Redeemer University College) once again taught an art course. This one was a hands-on approach to creative idea development and the cultivation of technical skills. The format was similar to last year’s course with lecture material and two main projects focusing on perspective drawing. The first project was a pencil drawing focusing on the technical aspects of perspective (e.g. linear perspective, aerial perspective, ellipses, etc). The second project was an acrylic painting which focused on the conceptual and communicative aspects of perspective.

CURRENT ISSUES FALL 2006

Each Thursday morning began with our study of the book, "The Transforming Vision; Shaping a Christian World View" by Brian J. Walsh and Richard Middleton.
How is the Japanese worldview different from our Western worldview? How do both of those stack up to a biblical view of the world? What is a biblical worldview? How might we live in that transforming and subversive way? How can our faith really make a difference in this culture? Using the book as reading and discussion material, we examined the cultural air we breathe in order to be better able to discern the times we live in and so become better equipped to be sharers of the Good News with our neighbours and our society.


CANOE TRIP - SEPT 2006

Our Co-op year started with the annual canoe trip led again by the more than capable Pypkers and MacKinnons.
After eating a hearty breakfast, having devotions, packing up food and sleeping bags and paddles and life jackets and more food and clothes and maps and first-aid supplies and canoes and kids, we left on Thursday, September 14th.
Great looking group, eh?

Canoes entered the waters of Gibson Lake, after which we traveled down the Gibson River, a bit of Georgian Bay, McCrae Lake, and ended in MacDonald Lake two days later.

Welcome back! September 16th - what a gorgeous day to end the canoe trip with.



Time to pack up everything into the vans once again... and there's talk already about next year's canoe trip. Thanks everyone!