Darrell Wakelam

Thanks. They were very excited by this many frogs 😆

A phonics display featuring the children's favourite frog 'Fred'. This was made by Year 1 children from Summerhill Academy in Tipton.

A close up of Fred's head.

A group of 12 Fred head models showing the different phonics sounds that the children are learning and using.

So, here's Fred Frog! 😮😁 The 100 Year 1 kids from Summerhill Academy have had a lot of fun creating one of their heroes. He's giving us a special phonics lesson along with Miss Hermon (who I was asked to conjure up) 😆
www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #UKEd
@sarahmullin.bsky.social

Sorry I missed this Graham, busy times. Thanks so much for doing this daily challenge again this year, I really enjoyed it, both thinking of stuff myself and seeing other peoples fantastic contributions. Well done. 😁👍

A combination of photos from Friday's art training session, one of me 'explaining' and one of each of the four larger sculptures made by the teachers. These were all constructed around the same cylindrical base, proving how vastly different work can be crested from the same starting point. Pictured are an octopus (sea-monster), an elephant, a fairytale castle, and the caterpillar from 'Alice in Wonderland'.

Fish sculptures created by the teachers. I do simple building sessions like this first to pass on basic skills which they then use on more complex work.

I rounded off a busy week with an 'Arts Connect' training session at the Wolverhampton School of Art. 17 teachers, from all kinds of settings, came together to learn about simple 3D sculpture.
Look what they made, from scratch, with simple materials. 😮
www.darrellwakelam.com
#edusky #UKEd

My favourite quote this week . . .
Me (mixing black and white paint) - “. . . and, if you mix these two, what colour do you get?”
(expecting grey, or maybe silver)
Year one girl - “You get the colour of the moon.”
Yes, you do.

Thanks, beautiful aren’t they. These kids are only 5 and 6 years old, they’ve been amazing throughout. 😁👍

Year one decorating their beetle with symmetrical patterns.

A large bug with textured decoration.

Children painting the textures on their dragonfly wings.

The four finished insects made by the 60 Year one children.

The Year 1 kids from Old Church Primary have had a busy week. Each child has had at least two sessions, working together in teams to create these four ‘giant insects’. I’ve been so impressed with them . . . Year 1 😮
darrellwakelam.com
#edusky #skyart #UKEd

😁 Thanks

Thanks Isobel 😁

Thanks

😂 on the rolling seas. 🙄

A ship made entirely from recycled cardboard tubes.

Some of the stages of the making showing how it's constructed from back to front.

It may sound odd, but to switch myself off after busy days, I make stuff. Often simple things, but sometimes I lose myself in more complex models, a kind of meditation. This little ship has been exactly that. 🙂
Made entirely from recycled cardboard tubes.
www.darrellwakelam.com
#edusky #skyart #UKEd

Looks great doesn't it, kids will love that 😁

Ha, looks cool but not quite as exciting to build as what I do. 😆👍

😁 definitely. I've always been 'honest' to the point of being rude and a bit intimidating, so my first response would always be that default position. I've realised over time how this can come across, so I'm a lot more careful now. People online have the idea that I'm calm and laid back, I'm not. 😆

One of the best lessons I ever learned was not to respond to things immediately when I'm annoyed or upset. I never do that now, I made too many rash judgements, hurt people, or hurt myself. I do the old thing of 'sleeping on it', many times my responses have been vastly different as a result. 😁

By the way . . . yes, this was my actual first copy of the book . . . no, I hadn't previously opened it, this clip is me seeing it for the first time . . . yes, the castle was made from the entire packaging which the book arrived in, and I still have it . . . and no, I didn't make it that quickly. 😆

Happy Book Birthday ART SHAPED, three years old today. 🎈🎈🎈
This was my original 'unboxing' video.
Currently it's number 25 in Amazons 'craft book' bestsellers chart, not bad for a book that's been out for 3 years! 😮
#edusky #UKEd #skyart
You can find it here . . . www.amazon.co.uk/Art-Shaped-s...

😆 no, but it might have to wait for semi-retirement!

But people like me dull and crumpled. 😆

Ah I'm sure they'll love it Thanks! 😁

Ha, I have a plan but lord knows when that might happen, it'll be a while

Thanks Marianne, that's lovely to hear. I've mentioned that to a few people, I think most kids from about 8 up would cope with the majority of the instructional parts (which is most of it)

Would so highly recommend this book to any teachers, parents or crafty folk. Such an invaluable and inspiring resource. And even though it’s aimed at grown-ups working with kids, my son was able to follow the instructions and create stuff on his own aged maybe around 10.

That's good to hear. Do let me know if you need any advice or help adapting anything. Always happy to help. 😁

You're the reason it's back at number '22' 😆 THANKS! Much appreciated. Don't stick them up on a shelf, they need to be dog-eared, paint-splattered, torn, and ready for action. 👍😁

Three years! 😮 Time flies . . . but my book Art Shaped is still finding new friends. It's back near the top of the Amazon 'craft book' chart again this week, which isn't bad three years on! 👍
"Where's the king?" 😮
www.darrellwakelam.com
#edusky #UKEd #ArtBook
www.amazon.co.uk/Art-Shaped-s...

😁😁😁❤️

Me, wearing a cardboard heart

Sending big love out to the many supportive, kind and funny people I've connected with online. If you care about what you do, I think it shows . . . and eventually you find the right people. 😁❤️
www.darrellwakelam.com
#edusky #UKEd

That's great news Tom, it's a fantastic place that I am lucky enough to work in often. 😁