Artes Sin Barreras April 30, 2020

We are finally starting to get into a rhythm! We have been holding virtual classes every Thursday for April, but we want to start bringing back our Tuesday class as well. Before the pandemic caused us to switch to remote learning, we used to have two in person classes a week. In our Tuesday classes there was a stronger emphasis on ESL learning. This Tuesday class was taught by Rachel and Vicky. Our Thursday class had an art emphasis and was taught by Noelle, Rachel, and Vicky.

Since Noelle hosts the Thursday class from her compute, we have been going through some trials and errors in regards to hosting a Tuesday class. Stay tuned for more ESL content as we test out our options.

This class was the first class that we were able to start a fresh new project that didn’t involve masks (a bummer of a project that reminds us of COVID) or previous bead-weaving projects. We will be focusing on grid drawing. Noelle thought this would be a good project because it shows how we can tackle a daunting project piece by piece.

Check out our latest video here: https://youtu.be/v8A74srLvxU

Artes Sin Barreras: April 23, 2020

Hello!

Rachel, Vicky and Noelle met to review some ESL exercises. We also shared some techniques we have been using to sew masks at home. Next week we plan to work on some group grid drawings and we hope to get some of our student’s families involved. While no students attended this live session, we have been communicating with all students individually to collect responses and images of the work they are completing at home. Every week we include slides and images of some of these conversations.

Here are some links we shared in class today:

• CNN Article with instructions of how to make multiple types of masks
• Hand sewn mask using recycled cotton shirt
• Masks using a sewing machine (in Spanish)

Watch video from today’s live recorded class here: https://youtu.be/P4-OCeghvmQ 

Artes sin Barreras: April 16, 2020

Parent Art and ESL Class at Waters Elementary

With Noelle Garcia, Vicky Mendoza, and Rachel Stempel

We are so happy our teaching partner Vicky has recovered from COVID-19. All of our students are Latino and statistically at a high risk for contracting COVID-19. Vicky and Rachel have been keeping in contact with our students while Noelle coordinates technology. Currently, one of our students and her family have been sick. We are continuously cheeking in with our students to provide support in any way we can.

This was our first class with Vicky back and also our first class where we were able to share our Zoom link with students. Only one student was able to join but it was great speaking with her and her kids.

We know that our students are helping their children navigate online learning so we are posting videos of our live classes on youtube. We are also reaching out to each student individually to prompt responses, offer support and coordinate supply drop off. In a strange way this type of remote learning helps us reach more of our students because having access to the video allows students to join class on their own schedule.

Regarding Supplies: We have been sharing supplies with each other (I have a hoard of beading supplies) and we are fortunate that i never brought our embroidery supplies to the school. I plan on distributing them by dropping them off in packages outside students homes.

Check out our latest class:

Arte sin barreras: April 9th, 2020

Hello students! We are excited to launch our class online. Please watch the video below to hear some very important news and also to understand how our class will be changing.

Hello Artes w/o Barrieres

Chicago Public Schools are closed. What does our class do without a classroom?

We want to continue our class online. We know that right now is a stressful time for everyone. It is important to have access to art, friendship, and our community.

Please check out the two videos we made recapping how to bead on the loom:

Bead Weaving on the Loom: How to Get Started:

Bead Weaving on the Loom: How to Finish:

Check back for more videos soon and don’t forget to contact me to tell me how you are holding up.