Hello All MAPPers,
I wanted to get in early before all the technology has a melt down at midnight.
Happy New Year to you all and I bet we are all spending it photocopying, writing, scanning, editing etc
No wild parties for us hey? Anyhow I will be opening a bottle of champangne (lidl's own brand) and dancing, celebrating and editing all at the same time, til the clock strikes 12.
Thank you for all the chat, sharing and support all of you my Mapping friends.
Good luck to a manic next few weeks to Adesola and Helen for the onslaught of portfolios!
Looking forward to seeing you all at The module 3's presentations in Jan.
Thank you for your help
My New Year resolutions
To write in a diary all my meetings etc and refer to it.
Not to worry so much
start Yoga again regularly
Try not to shout so much
Would love to see my friend Clare more that lives in Brighton
Holidays!!!!
Watch more Scandinavian Drama's I love them
Move to my new house (that looks a bit Scandinavian)
Go to Denmark and go over the Bridge to Sweden, then swim in the hot pools of Iceland
Sort my sleep out
Finally try to work out how to change the design background on my blog? Does anyone know how?
As ABBA says (they were Scandinavian) 'Happy New Year, Happy New Year'
Mary
Tuesday 31 December 2013
Saturday 28 December 2013
Friday 13 December 2013
Tuesday 10 December 2013
Sunday Skype
Dear Mappers,
I have a slight problem. I have just realised that Andrew is in Germany on Sunday. I have the three children and I have to get Queenie to an audition for a Tap Troup in Birmingham. She is a bit nervous.. I will be able to do the Skype call as I will be just waiting for her at the dance studio but I will be relying on 3G and my Iphone and well behaved kids!! ahhhh. I am planning for this to all go really well with the wonders of technology. Really look forward to catching up on our journeys
Picture of me in my new writing hat
I have a slight problem. I have just realised that Andrew is in Germany on Sunday. I have the three children and I have to get Queenie to an audition for a Tap Troup in Birmingham. She is a bit nervous.. I will be able to do the Skype call as I will be just waiting for her at the dance studio but I will be relying on 3G and my Iphone and well behaved kids!! ahhhh. I am planning for this to all go really well with the wonders of technology. Really look forward to catching up on our journeys
Picture of me in my new writing hat
Wednesday 30 October 2013
Friday 18 October 2013
Newspeak
Yesterday, I went to see The Nottingham Playhouse Production of George Orwell's,1984. Having read the book in my late teen's I was surprised how much I remembered, and also how much it has influenced and still is relevant today.
I took my husband who surprisingly enjoyed it. We both came away wanting to talk about it so much, and he is not a "talker"! But we were for a moment 'speechless'. There was indeed so much to talk about but after weeks of reading and writing I felt like I couldn't unpick things anymore that day. Still, we did go to the bar and start to discuss the play, we couldn't help ourselves.
So far during the MAPP course I can't believe how my language is changing. I was aware how things can shrivel up; thoughts, words spoken when you don't exercise them. That was one of the reasons I wanted to embark on this journey. In the play they talk of reducing the language crushing it, controlling it like everything else in the world of Eurasia. I could relate to this, as I can physically feel it when It happens to me; When I don't exercise or use it. I also feel it when my choreography is not real, I am not embracing it. I find that really gets me down. I don't think anyone else would see it but I would know. So I am glad that I can feel and sense these changes in myself as the MA continues and it's only week 2!
I took my husband who surprisingly enjoyed it. We both came away wanting to talk about it so much, and he is not a "talker"! But we were for a moment 'speechless'. There was indeed so much to talk about but after weeks of reading and writing I felt like I couldn't unpick things anymore that day. Still, we did go to the bar and start to discuss the play, we couldn't help ourselves.
So far during the MAPP course I can't believe how my language is changing. I was aware how things can shrivel up; thoughts, words spoken when you don't exercise them. That was one of the reasons I wanted to embark on this journey. In the play they talk of reducing the language crushing it, controlling it like everything else in the world of Eurasia. I could relate to this, as I can physically feel it when It happens to me; When I don't exercise or use it. I also feel it when my choreography is not real, I am not embracing it. I find that really gets me down. I don't think anyone else would see it but I would know. So I am glad that I can feel and sense these changes in myself as the MA continues and it's only week 2!
Wednesday 9 October 2013
Lost it then Found it ....the adventures of my blog today
After reading Rose's blog on Monday it was re-assuring to see I wasn't the only one who was finding other things were 'getting in the way' of my plans to get my head down and take a really good look at my CV. Maybe just another coffee before I start? Oh I must do the banking, choreography or maybe the grass needs to be mowed. These were some of the things that seemed to pop into my consciousness and get in the way. Monday was 'the official start' day. I wasn't sure what this meant as I had already been reading, thinking, reflecting, making notes for weeks, but now it was official.
I felt like a child again having to hand in my homework in on a Monday morning. All this was me talking to myself in my head. No-one was telling me to feel this way, however the child in us is always there. The Jesuit priests said and some others believe, 'show me the child at seven and I'll show you the Man.' This is probably one of the most misquoted sayings around and it's origin somewhat ambiguous.I don't think I agree with this fully as learning and evolving is continuous through out our lives, but the years from birth to 10 are so formative. I was feeling a sense of unbalance on Monday! Piaget told us of schemas the "building blocks" of knowledge and how the feeling of disequilibrium would make the child search for equilibrium and seek reassurance, actively construct meaning by seeking re enforcement from an adult. Piaget focused on the 'development, rather than learning, so it does not address learning of information or specific behaviours'. Everyday in my teaching I see children seeking enforcement in what they do. To watch a young child try a new step say a 'shuffle', as an observer, you can see the thought process to complete the movement. the time delay of the process; as it is unknown, not yet experienced. Then as the child repeats the movement again and again they begin to 'embody' it (embodiment) and the learning becomes part of their 'knowing'. I never underestimate this privilege to watch this process and it gives me much joy.
A small amount of children come to dance class 'frozen' so to speak. Moving and expressing physically is something very unnatural to them more like a risk, because rather than reinforcement from an adult, they are criticised, treated as if they should 'already know' for instance how to put their shoes on, fasten their buttons, dance.
At the end of our sessions we create a 'freestyle circle' this is where the children may enter the space and move freely to the music. The music would normally have a very strong beat, hip hop or funk, the drum rhythm similar to that heard in African Music or like a heartbeat. Something that can be clearly heard and deciphered. The children mostly roll around, wave their arms about, jump up and down, however what is interesting to observe is 'freeness of movement' and 'a connection with the music'. A great place to start the learning. So I will not 'fear', I will put the music on hear my heartbeat and write, think, plan. Do any other teachers relate to this with there very young pupils?
I felt like a child again having to hand in my homework in on a Monday morning. All this was me talking to myself in my head. No-one was telling me to feel this way, however the child in us is always there. The Jesuit priests said and some others believe, 'show me the child at seven and I'll show you the Man.' This is probably one of the most misquoted sayings around and it's origin somewhat ambiguous.I don't think I agree with this fully as learning and evolving is continuous through out our lives, but the years from birth to 10 are so formative. I was feeling a sense of unbalance on Monday! Piaget told us of schemas the "building blocks" of knowledge and how the feeling of disequilibrium would make the child search for equilibrium and seek reassurance, actively construct meaning by seeking re enforcement from an adult. Piaget focused on the 'development, rather than learning, so it does not address learning of information or specific behaviours'. Everyday in my teaching I see children seeking enforcement in what they do. To watch a young child try a new step say a 'shuffle', as an observer, you can see the thought process to complete the movement. the time delay of the process; as it is unknown, not yet experienced. Then as the child repeats the movement again and again they begin to 'embody' it (embodiment) and the learning becomes part of their 'knowing'. I never underestimate this privilege to watch this process and it gives me much joy.
A small amount of children come to dance class 'frozen' so to speak. Moving and expressing physically is something very unnatural to them more like a risk, because rather than reinforcement from an adult, they are criticised, treated as if they should 'already know' for instance how to put their shoes on, fasten their buttons, dance.
At the end of our sessions we create a 'freestyle circle' this is where the children may enter the space and move freely to the music. The music would normally have a very strong beat, hip hop or funk, the drum rhythm similar to that heard in African Music or like a heartbeat. Something that can be clearly heard and deciphered. The children mostly roll around, wave their arms about, jump up and down, however what is interesting to observe is 'freeness of movement' and 'a connection with the music'. A great place to start the learning. So I will not 'fear', I will put the music on hear my heartbeat and write, think, plan. Do any other teachers relate to this with there very young pupils?
Tuesday 24 September 2013
All Can be Free
Boy Blue: I love the way they look different individually however dance in unison, as a Company. Still keeping it social between each other... Best bit 5:02 he catches the music? essence? it fills him. Wow
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVkvTScTSGo&ytsession=Js7OwCDXCjOWIo75v8_1WO0NxVzMrbh73zsUKUQerEqY_QpE0fgq8W1d3gwthPgx8wbemD6g5WjqdypWQnuzyOiQu-KPXDaYJTcvGxD3vessgxSGtpfG0aOJIGawiu3aJaKGAaPzjUv7EKlxHtGkTGMRsclxP3Y_45HC5PA9b1kQ_0pE-R8RQdOdFW8wJrLcOb0or0pVrIMRuyCeo6zRuza2Wji0NhO0EkLUT8gyoTxslsUG4770ZYvTWqGGOX5B0pJMEhKmKCztPjCo94Fc7McSn3SJ-ML0ZcYali3FR-OtktKh4pH3bEW11EfB6WbvzXKxSxov9X516R2l7kRhPKRDIF51uRiA3yRyuUenDo5bP_ZvfUWIOEuF5ILfBXl9OKI6tRU9di1DI7BBJznQ_GRJiR3LudIlNNI7VUNwat3xHfEfThSGdNQKJ783fcwNOCq_VM3VzTbtngXzOeRkudzvoYcptvgeSyxo8PERV85l8LqUGCp1dMA-KJT_zINZzJYXGxp9yIgt2J4nxtEbWmWoMqOc9LrPERAu4MyBRDLCxsnuyVtwccwZivocrV7YpKwsKsu1ot67UHt6FE_PmZItoHwWBF-x
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVkvTScTSGo&ytsession=Js7OwCDXCjOWIo75v8_1WO0NxVzMrbh73zsUKUQerEqY_QpE0fgq8W1d3gwthPgx8wbemD6g5WjqdypWQnuzyOiQu-KPXDaYJTcvGxD3vessgxSGtpfG0aOJIGawiu3aJaKGAaPzjUv7EKlxHtGkTGMRsclxP3Y_45HC5PA9b1kQ_0pE-R8RQdOdFW8wJrLcOb0or0pVrIMRuyCeo6zRuza2Wji0NhO0EkLUT8gyoTxslsUG4770ZYvTWqGGOX5B0pJMEhKmKCztPjCo94Fc7McSn3SJ-ML0ZcYali3FR-OtktKh4pH3bEW11EfB6WbvzXKxSxov9X516R2l7kRhPKRDIF51uRiA3yRyuUenDo5bP_ZvfUWIOEuF5ILfBXl9OKI6tRU9di1DI7BBJznQ_GRJiR3LudIlNNI7VUNwat3xHfEfThSGdNQKJ783fcwNOCq_VM3VzTbtngXzOeRkudzvoYcptvgeSyxo8PERV85l8LqUGCp1dMA-KJT_zINZzJYXGxp9yIgt2J4nxtEbWmWoMqOc9LrPERAu4MyBRDLCxsnuyVtwccwZivocrV7YpKwsKsu1ot67UHt6FE_PmZItoHwWBF-x
Monday 23 September 2013
Oh my goodness! This Blog process is very new to me and it has taken me two and three quarter hours to finally put fingers to keyboard. Fifteen of those, deciding the which pictures to use, what personal info appropriately and safety to disseminate and of course the name of my blog.
Eventually after dismissing my husbands contribution of "Pedagriggy" (my name being Grigg).
I opted for marymap loving the alliteration and not a plosive until the end. Maybe a metaphor for me?
Beginning the MAPP DTP was something that comprised of many discussions, decisions and the convincing of people around me. For me it was the single way to ignite the fire; the reflective and growing process in my working and personal life I needed. Which, for me spill over and blend together as a whole. The Dancer in me is connected to the teacher, the teacher connected to the parent, the parent connected to the child and round and round it goes in a circle. Dizzy from these roles yes I was and yes I am.
However from our first meeting on Friday with the MAPP Team and module 1's, I feel even more excited and inspired and privileged to be given this opportunity of 'learning' and 'experiencing'.
I have been a teacher since it ran alongside being a performer but the process started even before that. Most probably learning to teach, though remembering being taught; storing it in my mind.
We all as practitioners remember our first dance teacher. Even remember our first dance learned? Why do we remember it? What happened in our mind and bodies to make it so significant?
For me it was a disco dance to the track "Stomp" by the Brothers Johnson. The steps to the dance were so simple but the weekly times spent at the local Cygnet Dance Club paying my fifty pence to the teacher, allowed me as a small half Greek girl that lived above the café to feel like a Disco Queen. Feeling the groove in my whole body was powerful and very real. In the track when the guitar and keyboard solo kicked in, wow you felt like you were flying! This is Dance to me, this is what we mean when we tap our hearts and say it comes from here. Be it whichever AOL we are going to reflect on. As pedagogues" to facilitate the learning in others.....it comes from here! Do you agree? What is "from here"? can we teach it?
Eventually after dismissing my husbands contribution of "Pedagriggy" (my name being Grigg).
I opted for marymap loving the alliteration and not a plosive until the end. Maybe a metaphor for me?
Beginning the MAPP DTP was something that comprised of many discussions, decisions and the convincing of people around me. For me it was the single way to ignite the fire; the reflective and growing process in my working and personal life I needed. Which, for me spill over and blend together as a whole. The Dancer in me is connected to the teacher, the teacher connected to the parent, the parent connected to the child and round and round it goes in a circle. Dizzy from these roles yes I was and yes I am.
However from our first meeting on Friday with the MAPP Team and module 1's, I feel even more excited and inspired and privileged to be given this opportunity of 'learning' and 'experiencing'.
I have been a teacher since it ran alongside being a performer but the process started even before that. Most probably learning to teach, though remembering being taught; storing it in my mind.
We all as practitioners remember our first dance teacher. Even remember our first dance learned? Why do we remember it? What happened in our mind and bodies to make it so significant?
For me it was a disco dance to the track "Stomp" by the Brothers Johnson. The steps to the dance were so simple but the weekly times spent at the local Cygnet Dance Club paying my fifty pence to the teacher, allowed me as a small half Greek girl that lived above the café to feel like a Disco Queen. Feeling the groove in my whole body was powerful and very real. In the track when the guitar and keyboard solo kicked in, wow you felt like you were flying! This is Dance to me, this is what we mean when we tap our hearts and say it comes from here. Be it whichever AOL we are going to reflect on. As pedagogues" to facilitate the learning in others.....it comes from here! Do you agree? What is "from here"? can we teach it?
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