Observing For Learning Reports - Guidance and Examples
Below you will find:
I. Guidance on completing SelfDesign 'Observing for Learning' reports, and
II. 5 sample 'Observing for Learning' reports.
In the samples, the first two reports were completed by parents and the second group were completed by learners themselves. All the samples include responses from Learning Consultants.
I. Guidance on completing Observing for Learning reports
SelfDesign Observing for Learning reports are generally written in one of the following ways:
1. reflecting conventional subject headings (math, science, etc.),
2. reflecting the 'SelfDesign Mandala' (aspects of natural learning such as wellness, philosophy, etc.)
3. casually/informally, mainly describing learning highlights throughout a week, and
4. reflecting daily activities (Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday, etc.)
Observing for Learning in SelfDesign is meant to provide rewarding insights into learning for learners, parents and Learning Consultants and provide the basis for a rich exchange between the reporter and the Learning Consultant. Clearly, the richness of this exchange will reflect the amount of detail provided in Observing for Learning reports. You will note the samples below are richly detailed; slightly less detail can also be considered as adequate and will also form the basis of a meaningful relationship with your LC.
What is included in SelfDesign O4L reports? As you will see in the examples, most parents and learners report details on learning activities and especially learning highlights. We ask that reports contain sufficient details to provide a sense of process and content, and (conscious and unconscious) engagement, which is often reflected in delight, passion or frustration on the part of the learner. We suggest this correlates roughly into a one-page report (8.5 x 11) per week. It is also our hope that in providing sufficient details, an Observing for Learning report is able to foster an engaging and rich conversation with the Learning Consultant, something you will see in the examples below. The SelfDesign Mandala also serves as a guideline for documenting authentic, enthusiasm-based
learning, something SelfDesign has, and continues to bring to the Ministry of Education as a legitimate form of learning and education.
Addendum: Even after years of studying 'self-designed, emergent learning', we continue to learn about these processes ourselves; accordingly, we suggest that the subtleties and nuances of reporting are not easily described in quantitative terms, nor do we expect all SelfDesigning families to readily grasp the praxis of Observing for Learning at first go. If you find these guidelines aren't clear enough to you, please re-contact your Learning Consultant and/or the SelfDesign Executive and we'll keep talking about it until your understanding is clearer!
II. Sample Observing for Learning reports
• Group I - Reports written by parents
1. report for 8-year old - good detail
We read another of Ole Steen Hansen’s The Story of Flight series: Modern Military Aircraft This was great for introducing some more recent history such as Korea and Vietnam, as well as more information for him on the Cold War. Kevin, of course, was entranced with all the military details!
Kevin left a big bowl on our patio table and saw how much rainwater he caught. He also drank the water and thought it tasted really good! Catching and measuring it is interesting - drinking it is really creative! I'm glad he liked it!
Kevin has been enjoying the card games Go Fish and Crazy Eights. There are lots of good matching and strategy skills involved with these games. Also, all the complicated things associated with games themselves. How does Kevin handle winning and losing?
We had a great afternoon on Tuesday. We went to Butterfly World – we have been there many times over the last few months so both kids are familiar with it and visit each exciting part each time (butterflies, turtles, birds, petting zoo, turtles outside in pond, hide and seek in the outdoor garden) but each time they tend to focus on a different aspect; this time it was the microscopes. That's a good point, that the familiarity makes them comfortable, and they can focus their energy differently each time. Microscopes are fascinating, and using them is a skill in itself. We then
got ice cream cones at Coombs. It amazes me how much ice cream Kevin can eat!! He knows the routine now and is getting more comfortable with asking for a taste of a new ice cream flavor. Repetition is so helpful to him, it seems. I'm so glad that you know this, and give him repeated opportunities to gain a level of comfort in different situations. Kevin and Jennifer put a quarter in the Jukebox but it didn’t work. One of the workers came over to help us and opened up the jukebox and welcomed us to look inside - how interesting. The kids found it even more interesting when I told them Grand-Mother and Grand-Father used to actually use these when they were teenagers. We pushed the numbers and danced to numerous tunes!Oh, juke boxes are so much fun. Having the chance to see the machinery inside is a bonus!
Wednesday was another fun day. After Jennifer finished storytime at the library we all went to Malaspina University-College for the afternoon. We looked at all the art supplies and books in the bookstore and bought a few great little things, like stickers of different planes and reusable stickers of armor from different time periods and a man to put the armor on. Now that is a real fund! I can see that man with the armour having a lot of play value. The historical aspect will be an effortless part of the activity. We had a snack at the cafeteria and had absolutely wonderful
conversations about universities, careers, and the kids’ plans for their futures.That's a lovely side effect of being in that environment - it stimulated a conversation that might not have occurred otherwise. The kids were excited to get to sit in some of the different classrooms, too. We then did the Walk Through Geological Time, for which for which each step we take represents 10 million years starting with the creation of the sun! Along the way there are pieces of paper with write-ups and pictures describing the creation of the planets and the evolution of life. It was really, really fun! In the middle, Kevin started getting excited about seeing the dinosaurs he knew were coming, but then he started getting frustrated that it was
taking so long. I told him “I know! We have been walking and walking and the earth has been evolving for SO long and we are still not at the point that large animals exist.” His little face just lit up! WOW! He really got it! One of the stated points of the walk is to “bring home the point of the relative insignificance of our time here on Earth” – well, it sure worked for us! What a fine way to explore earth history!
Other books/resources enjoyed:
§ Wizards Don’t Need Computers, The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids by Debbie Dadey
§ The Case of the Bicycle Bandit, Jigsaw Jones Mysteries by James Preller
§ The Emperor and the Kite by Jane Yolen (Ancient China)
§ Video: Families of China from the Families of the World series (China)
- end of sample
2. report for a 10-year old - very detailed
Planning/Designing/Meetings/Personal Growth/Languaging - 4 hrs
-Discussing and Typing Learning Plan - 2 hours
Think i mentioned in my part of the learning plan, Brian put a lot of time into typing this up and wanted to be the main maker of it.
I am impressed at his diligence and determination and desire!
-Setting up the Dream Book mentioned in learning plan - 1 hour
Brian purchased a binder of his choice, made sections for goal/dreams, ideas, books, field trips and log. Again he took alot of time, making sure blank paper went in each section, thinking about what to put in it, etc, putting some doodles on the title page for each section.
I wonder what he will put in it?
Wellness and Outdoors - Cubs - 2 hr
- Following clues to collect things for firebuilding, then building and the "will it light" test
Did it light? Brian, I am sure, enjoyed this hands-on approach to critical thinking, following the clues and the actual physics of making the fire.
- Physical Games and activities to review motto, law, promise, and philosophy, in prep for official investiture, and introductions
This will be interesting as Brian is the only experienced cub in this group of kids. He will likely have some official job re helping the others. I will have to make sure that he is not bored. Brian wants to do some solo badgework, and some will involve doing some sort of project. Will keep you posted.
It may be a real growth for Brian to take on a leadership role as the 'older' role model! The ability to teach others what you already know is an excellent integration of all the skills he has developed...should he choose to play this role.
Language - Reading - 5 hrs min
We have 4 kinds of reading going on now, which I will refer to as:
- Family (where i am reading to robin) : currently Tom Sawyer - 2hr
- Co-op (where we take turns) : currently Goosebumps books - 1hr
- Robin (he's reading to me) : currently Ball-Stick-Bird and other early readers - 1hr
- Solo (Brian reading to himself, for himself) : incl mags, cards, packages, signs, web - 1hr
We continued reading over the summer, and i am thrilled we are at the point where robin reads to me. He still gets frustrated and is self conscious reading outloud (he reads in a quiet voice) but now he sees he has made progress, there are things he can read that he couldn't before.
This really heartens me to hear this...I like the different reading immersion that is happening. he definitely is seeing the process in many contexts and, most importantly, you are observing him reading on his own. I think that as this progresses over the year, it will open a new world for him - one he has been feeling a bit frustrated about.
Language/Communication - 2 hr
- Printing Practise
In addition to other things that involve writing things down, Brian has notebook to perfect his lettering and develop his own style. He also wants to learn handwriting.
There are some good practice books around...Brian has a visual aesthetic so wanting to make his printing and writing look both unique to him and beautiful is not surprising.
(website included)
- Typing Practise
Another thing B has decided he wants to do. I've shown him the basic fingering position and I give him little exercises to help remember and strengthen the fingers. I'd like to look into some kind of typing tutorial, there was one on the village one year, but I couldn't get it to work on our systems....ideas welcome!
I'll send you some leads...without any knowledge on my part. Some of these are on-line and for home schooling kids.
Humanities - Pirates - 2 hr
- Trip to Library - Brian wants to continue priate plans from last year, chose a few books. Faves so far are one from the Eyewitness Series with photos of real stuff /artifacts and a humoursly written look at the pirating life called A short and Bloody History of Pirates.
It interests me that he has sustained his interest in things piratical as that was part of the major mind map he made last year. It might be worthwhile dusting off the mind map ( I can send as a PDF, as you may not have the program) and seeing just how far his knowledge has increased. I actually have an old version I can bring with me when I come to visit. Brian may enjoy using Inspiration to map his ideas. He can print out the maps and put them in his Dream book.
- Types and parts of the ships, general intro to time frame, types of pirates and way of life
A bit of geography and map reading could be added as well...to see where the pirates were most active and why? Also the National Geographic has items on pirate's ships.
Math/Logic - 2hr
- Measuring and calculating Perimeter
- Making shapes with geometry set
- Finding basic shapes in the park
Does Brian have a protractor? I am sure he would be quite interested in making shapes with the geometry set...This can also be used with maps to figure out where pirates sailed and why they might hide treasure where they did.
Livingry (and Philosophy) - 1hr
- Earning Money
- Mind Map about ways robin does earn money and ideas to explore for regular jobs
- Discuss some ideas/attidudes/beliefs about money
Does Brian have a goal for earning money?
Livingry - Internet Skills - 3 hrs
- Visiting the Village - 2hr
- play with icons
- discover how to change folder names in his office, make them all spy-like
- participate in live chat
- read some posts, coop reply
- mark "read" in areas he wasn't interested in or what was really old
- help prepare post of learning cds for sale to the market place
Brian is way more interested in the village and checking in. He explores on his own and we also look together. the chat was fun but nerve wracking as he doesn't type fast, so I helped out. I am glad he finds the Village more meaningful this year...I'll start sending him some mail as well. Wanting to chat may be an impetus to write even if the early stages are so painfully slow.
- Internet - Other - 1hr
- learned how to set up new email address
- learned how to make an online lego wishlist (printed for dream book)
Science/Nature - 1hr
- Whales game, where you windup learning facts about 8 types of whales. Lead to looking up some other ocean life facts as we went along, and we shared reading the factoids.
Does Brian remember all of the items he sees and hears?Often those who choose to read later, are gifted with a well developed auditory and visual acuity and the ability to actually notice and remember what they experience.
Creative - 2 hrs
- Make Birthday Card for Dad
- Building Leo re star wars, Harry Potter and Pirates
- Thinking of Pirate stories
Media -1 hrs
- making of star wars - how the movie came to be, the problem and solutions, special effects required and new technology
Aren't these fascinating documentaries? They provide such a glimpse into the creative and techncial process required to make an effect that lasts a few minutes at best.
Other
- Saturday was basically a trip to the airport to See dad off to a job in edmonton.
(When we go back to pick Chris up in 3-5wks time, Robin is going to take some photos and write some things as Part of a Cub badge activitiy.)
Ah, Chris is away for some time...I'm sure you both miss him.
- Brian has a dog walking job 1day/wk. He's also been helping out regulary around the house and taking on some special jobs as combo of just help and as "paying jobs"
Is he taking his dog walking responsibly? This is part of personal planning as well...
- end of sample
• Group II - Reports submitted by learners
Samples of reports completed by children, age 11 and up, with responses from Learning Consultants included
Example 1 (Learning activities identified in orange, report in pink,
Learning Consultant comments in blue)
Observing for Learning-Weekly
0. Being Present – Spiritual
1. Planning Personal Planning - Scheduling - Observations - Evaluations
2. Wellness Health
Walk I went on a walk with my brother on Tuesday. At first we just walked down the road, but then he decided to bushwhack. To say the least, it was very interesting! I trust you stayed a good distance away while this was happening!
Run My brother and I ran along a Fairwinds trail, but instead of taking the normal way home, we went on an unusual way, cutting close through and walking across(on boards) a lake with a beaver dam in the center. You took my favorite trail....
Sports Club This week, we played a version of baseball, with teams. Since there is only one person allowed on a base, you get put out if you are on second and the ball isn't hit hard enough so that you can run to home! My favorite place to play when I am in the outfield is right near the batter, so that I can anticipate their moves. Which way they hit the ball depends largely on which side of the ball they are standing. I think that's neat that you figured that out by yourself. It IS a big factor in playing defense and where to position players. If somebody needs to get home, you usually have to get ready in the very back of the gym, because that is where they are probably going to hit the ball.
Dance My dance partner finally came back this week.........and had weeks of our dance to catch up on! We are especially working on positioning now; where we are during certain parts of our dance. I'm glad you are back in the groove with your partner. Things will move along a little smoother now, I trust.
3. Languaging
Wrote stories: Elsie, A Night in the Wilderness, Thistlethorn Elsie is in the Girls' Writing Club you would like to read it, and the story is a description of itself! It certainly is. I enjoyed reading your short story about the homeless young girl, Elsie. The other two are not in the Girls' Writing Club, so here are concise summeries: A Night in the Wilderness is about a family who is stranded in the wilderness for a
night, and Thistlethorn is set in the Middle Ages. It is about Elize, a serf's daughter, whose family is struck with the plague, and one by one die. Elize, for some odd reason, doesn't catch the plague, even though she is in close contact with her family. She was lucky not to get that disease too. Are these stories quite long or are they short stories, like "Elsie"?
Currently working on another story, Family This story is about Montana, a colored girl who lives with all her relations in a subdivision in Ontario in 1932. Her cousin, Homer, excels at many sports, and is Montana's best friend as well as her cousin, so she is devastated when Homer is diagnosed with bone cancer. This is a good storyline, Carine. It will be interesting to see where your imagination takes this story.
Free reading I got a Bible for my birthday and I have decided that I want to read through the whole Bible. I am currently on Exodus, which is about all the ceremonies performed as Moses is bringing the Israelites out of Egypt.
Marking on spelling and grammar This is what it sounds like.........marking and marking! And more marking!
4. Humanities -
Read about Ancient Rome All I can say after reading about Ancient Rome is this: I would NOT have wanted to be a gladiator! They led such miserable lifes, risking killing themselves for amusement of others. I agree, Carine. It seems they existed largely as entertainment for the nobility, at great risk to themselves.
Read about the U.S.A. states where she is going for a holiday For our holiday(which we are taking from March 19th to two weeks later, whenever that is), we are taking a ferry and then we are driving through Washington, Oregon, California(not all in the same day), and finally, our destination.......Yuma, Arizona, where we will spend six days lying around, apparently. Fortunately, I will have something to read, since I am bringing the Lord of the Rings trilogy on our trip. I think it is a good plan for you to have a large amount of reading material available on such a trip. You always
surprise me by how fast you whip through books.
5. Culture -
Rosetta Stone French In Unit Nine, they start piling on the Writing and Dictations! Now, you can expect two or three to a page, one time four!-and there are more of the typing kind. There is also a slightly smaller screen, probably part of the Grade Nine French. I noticed that the questions start to come fast and furious. You are doing a good job with your listening comprehension to be able to keep up to this pace of questions.
6. SelfDesigning -
7. Logic - Math -
Volume This lesson was about finding the volume of various simple shapes(see Volume of Composite Solids)
Surface Area of Composite Solids This is easy: you just divide the composite shape into several simple shapes, calculate the areas of those, and add it all together! Yes, that's it exactly! I'm glad you can see that these problems are no more complex than the ones with one area to be calculated, only longer.
Volume of Composite Solids Same as Surface Area of Composite Solids, except you find the volume of the several simple shapes and add it all together.
Enlargements and Reductions This was just enlarging and reducing formulas. It applys to everyday life in things such as cookie recipes, cement mixtures........and figuring out your budget and how much air to put in your bike tires and how much cloth to cut while you're sewing and.....
8. Livingry - Tools for Living - Applied Skills - Information Technology - Financial Management - Career
Cleaned her brother's music studio
Baked muffins My brother and I found a NEW muffin recipe. It was blueberry, with this delicious cinnamon topping, but for a twist, we stuck some white chocolate chips in as well! It gave it an interesting flavor! Yes, it was. I didn't seem to have too much to sample, though. I guess that means that the natives enjoyed it a lot and didn't leave too much behind!
8. Science - Ecology
Science experiment This was just more of what I did at Science Club the last time I went(to see, look in Observing for Learning a couple of weeks ago). Okay....
Science Club This week, we got strips of litmus paper and a little color chart, and started seeing what the color of certain mixtures on the litmus paper was. The neutral colors were around 6 or 7, a yellowish. I still have an experiment with cabbage water in it, to do right before the next Science Club. What is your prediction for what numbers will come up for the cabbage, Carine? In other words, how acidic or alkaline is it?
10. Creativity - Artistic and Creative Activity
music (instrument or voice) , art, dance, performance, creative expression in any media, poetry, pottery, fashion, design in any media
Preperation for vocal festival All my vocal festival is the Monday, March 14th, and THursday, March 17th. I have three things on each day, or four things on one day and two on the other......something like that. On the first day, I definitely have my Musical Theatre (yay!) and my Folk Song, which will be accompanied by my brother. You have quite a few performances lined up this year, more than ever before. I hope all goes well for you.
Piano lesson and practice We did some jazz chords at this lesson. Now I won't have a lesson for three weeks, because of Vocal Festival and holidays. Yes, the festival takes up some time each spring, but it's been a worthwhile experience for you, based on your comments and reactions.
Theory lesson and homework Lesson Ten is very long, but we will hopefully be finished it soon! I am learning how to write sixteenth rests! That sounds like a very short break--about as long as my lunch break the other day when I was rushed!
11. Philosophy - Ethics and Ontology
12. Learning Committee - Family Meetings – Overall Planning and Evaluation
••••••••
Example 2 - (Learning Consultant comments in blue)
0. Being Present – Spiritual
I have started not externalizing my feelings automatically. I am concerned because usually I say how or act how i feel 100% of the time. I wonder if it has anything to do with time of year.? I am going to be experimenting with different techniques of centering the self. Hopefully within the next month I will be back to my self and have the tools to stay that way. Why do you think it has to do with this time of year? Has anything happened to you in the spring in your life? Usually it is a happy time because the weather is warm and the sun is shining. I am sure it will pass if you just treat yourself well - sleep, eat, run, meditate, play, play music, be with friends......
1. Planning / Personal Planning -
I had a long talk with my dad about my approach to next year's situation.
I expressed my desire to buy a house and to start saving money. I also expressed to him the plan i have as to how I am going to find a house suitable to move into. We shared concerns and ideas as to how to generate money and how to allow myself to continue with my current stream of life and education. sounds like a good year ahead of me. That is so great that you and your dad can talk. I am confident that you have a good year ahead - you are the creator of your own destiny and you want good things for yourself! so you will make them happen. Yay Aaron!
2. Wellness Health –
Running as usual is a good way to focus energy and relax myself and also to ensure I function to the best of my ability physically. I loved running this week due to the fact I found it quite easy. no aches or pains during running. YAY!
3. Languaging
I planned out a few people in the campaign the d&d group is going on, one of which is crooked peet. crooked peet is a 117 year old mage wizard of vecna, an organization based in the city or mamsire (the party's point of origin) bases on controlling government affairs from afar while maintaining a healthy share of the city's riches. again - I have no idea what you are talking about but I am glad you have found d&d in your life. I am reading Victors book now and I understand why you found it so great when you were reading it!
8. Livingry -
I baked some chocolate chip cookies for my dad this week. They turned out fairly well aside from being flat, covering the entire cookie sheet and being very crisp.:D i learned to never substitute Crisco for butter. butter is better for you too....
10. Creativity - Artistic and Creative Activity
I wrote a nice song about the sky and the stars. I like writing lyrics when my songs are slow and repetitive in rhythm. I enjoy playing slower songs much more then heavy power songs. there is something about the way a guitar carries the beauty of each note wholey that makes slow quiet songs more appealing. It must be so great to be able to create a song - lyrics and music - I have been making up simple songs for River and I sing them to him all the time and doug wrote a beautiful song called cry me a River! River claps his hands when Doug starts to play the song on the guitar!
Bye for now - thanks for the report!
••••••••••••••••
Example 3 - (Learning Consultant comments in green)
Essence/Spirit
Meditation is doing me good... I tend to be a fairly ungrounded person, and one of the things that this does is it helps to ground me somewhat. I go for walking meditation as well as yoga and sitting meditation. The raging waters in my head are calming and stilling ;)
Some rambling questions: How did meditation arise?! Who was the first meditator?! I mean, do you think we could have been meditating thousands of years ago ... I'll bet we were, because it seems the kind of activity that humans are suited for as we ... waited alongside game trails for hours or days, worked at menial chores like gathering berries, nuts, grassess and firewood and then cooked or made clothing or wove baskets .... Do you think we meditate because it's really good for us to do to 'calm our raging waters and chattering monkeys' and help restore energy and focus attention? It seems like a divine gift to those willing to receive it!
Personal Planning
I had a discussion with my dad about myself and my life and what I wanted. One of the things that came up was that "I want to be smart and know a lot." Sure, who doesn't, you might ask. So I'm going to map out areas of where to go with that, then how to be that, and then I'll get going.
Hmmm ... I tend to think ...
1. that you already ARE smart and have all the resources and inner wisdom to make excellent choices, and
2. that what might additionally help enhance your wisdom are various experiences and exposure to, and practise of various 'strategies of excellence'!
It’s not a new book and it is often available in 2nd hand bookstores for a couple of bucks!
Activity/Wellness
I went for a long walk this week. Sort of a walking meditation. It was very grounding and enjoyable.
Guitar/Singing/Reading/Writing/Speaking
Every day I played more or less half an hour of guitar. I'm improving quickly, but I'm really concerned about my carpal tunnel syndrome. I'm going to go get that checked out as soon as possible. I may have to take a three month or more break from playing guitar, typing, ultimate, etc.—anything that will hurt my wrists at all.
Ouch! Do watch this ... RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury) is very serious, and can certainly affect young people. A suggestion: try a compress of 'cold pressed castor oil' (it's cheap, available at health food stores) swathed with a cotton cloth (the oil is goopy) and hot water bottle for 20-30 minutes; 4-5 times and you should note some improvement.
Singing is going well... there is not much to say about it, though. I had a good lesson and I've been practicing at home.
I have been reading little articles here and there,such as groundsquirrels using ultrasound for short-distance distress calls (this is really efficient because their predators can't hear it, and it is easy to direct), the Chinese governor's visit to Canada following the Dalai Lama. He lied a lot. He said that they were not suppressing Tibetan religion (they are, they are a lot), they are investing a lot of money to rebuild monasteries that they ruined (yeah... but for a tourist attraction), their classes for buddhist monks are beneficial because those people are part of China too, and they should be educated about patriotism (hmmmm I smell
cultural genocide). I know that these are lies first-hand. I know someone who went to Tibet to visit the Dalai Lama, and he saw people who had had half their limbs cut off because they had been caught with Tibetan manuscripts, or speaking that language and things like that. He saw this evidence, in fact he was attacked (literally) by it. Anyhow I'm somewhat upset about it. I read about Ontario's new legislation that makes it illegal for kids to drop out of school until they are 18. I read about Google's job recruitment techniques that include crazy mind twisters and mathematical puzzles and funny questions instead of interviews.
I have also been writing in my journal. Dreams, days, thoughts and ideas. Thank goodness for writing, because if I didn't write things down I would forget most of them I think![
I continue to read The Summer of the Leprechauns by Tanis Helliwell. It is very entertaining and wisdomful.
Congratulations on consuming this wide range of information and processing it ... without retreating into despair ... and I mean this, after all, there are signs aplenty confirming human idiocy and our inhumanity, and it would not be a sign of Insanity but Sanity to react to this by racing screaming down the block. Some do, and they are inappropriately labeled as psychotic, schrizophrenic, hyper-sensitive, etc. I think it takes an exceptional sense of balance to survive - and thrive -amidst such chaos. 'Balancing' involves many of the activities in which you participate (meditation, exercise, sharing, etc.) and purposefully 'dwelling in the light of our existance', as I phrase it. We all have such light in us and of us, the trick being to recognize it and co-mingle with it without extinguishing it.
You might be really interested in learning about Ann Mortifiee, a very talented BC woman (singer, songwriter, actor, activist) whom I have long admired, and who lives with a great deal of personal integrity, IMO. Here’s her website: www.annmortifee.com/
On Friday I had a marvelous day of letting go! My friend and I stood on his balcony in the cove, icing our barefeet on the tiles, and we stood and watched for a while. Then I started to laugh! Usually when I'm in public I sort of choke my giggles down, but this time I just let go and laughed and laughed and laughed. The cove is a place that I'm generally afraid to be in... I get that cold feeling of fear whenever I go there. I laughed some more, and then I began to see people I know, and most of them I love very much. Little Danika whom I first met at Xenia, along with her mom and dad. My dad and my sister; Wayne
Kozak. I smiled and chatted with them from the balcony, and they went on their way. I tried to explain the word 'fungled' that I had created, and that was what started me talking about my plans for writing a story—mostly about the forest in the story. It was a good time for me—I unharnessed a lot of good energy. Happy energy! Hooray for happy energy!!
Creativity/Artistic Expression
I used drawing as an outlet for expression this week. Ink pen; not overly complicated drawings. I'm experimenting with different expressions in eyes using somewhat subtle changes. When I draw just the eye, it seems to have a lot of expressions depending on when, how long and what mood I'm in when I look at it. I suspect it is merely my reflection on paper.
- END OF SAMPLES