It's salmon season, and for Mrs. Yamaoka's senior Art Foundations class that means buddying up with the incredibly talented grade 3 class of Lloyd George.
As a student in Mrs. Yamaoka’s class, I have always loved teaming up with the younger students to create something special. The kids are always so inspired; my buddy particularly so. She was so excited to make a fish to give to her mother for Christmas. She knew exactly what she wanted it to look like too. It’s fantastic to have that sense of confidence.
All of the students got right to work, tracing the body of the fish, cutting out the shape, and then adding detail. The young students were surprisingly well behaved and focused! At the end of the class, the fish looked absolutely amazing.
A week later, the students returned to glaze their fish. Once again, my little buddy knew exactly which colours she wanted to use. She walked around the class on several occasions, asking every person if they had the glaze she needed to use. She’s the most determined child I have ever met.
When the fish were glazed and fired, the kids finally got to see the finished product of their work. From what I’ve heard, they were absolutely thrilled.
At the end of one class, my buddy told me that art is important because without art, we wouldn’t have colour. All of the grade three students were so insightful and inspiring. I’m glad to have had the opportunity to work with them.
Written by Shannon Charlebois
