The Pulitzer: Teacher Blogs

As I've mentioned before, students and teachers from Shaw Elementary School are involved in an ongoing program with the Pulitzer.  This, along with programs with other schools, will be highlighted in a new (and forthcoming) section of our website within the Events and Programs category.  This section will include blog posts from teachers about the experience.

Here's a first blog post from one of the Shaw teachers, Lara, about starting the program:

What does it feel like to create a self-portrait? Especially when you’re nine…

As we embark on our new adventure with the Pulitzer Foundation we found that there is more to self-portrait then we initially thought. The students’ first project was to simply draw their own faces.

Was it difficult?

 Devlin: Yes, because you picture yourself differently. It’s important to use a mirror in order to get the picture right.

 Gabrielle: It’s weird because you don’t look like what you draw.

 Fourth-grader Scott commented that Van Gogh’s self-portrait is one of his favorites because “it looks as if Van Gogh rushed through it, but yet it really looks like him.”

 As we looked at ourselves over and over in the mirror we noticed things about our own faces that others never see.

 What stands out about your face?

 (Kathy): My eyebrows because they’re so thick and dark.

(Scott): My lips. My bottom is big and my top is flat.

(Gabby): My cheeks.

(Kiersti): My cheeks. They’re pudgy.

(Michon): Dark line across my nose.

(Lara): My long, skinny nose.

(Marvin): My nose. It’s short and small

(Arianna): Bumps. I’m starting to get them.

(Scout): Little freckles under my eyes.

(Devlin): A lot of freckles. Some between my eyebrow and eyelid!

(Telisa): There’s a dot in the middle of my forehead.

(Adaya): My right eye is smaller than my left.

And this is just the start.  I can't wait to read the many more blog entries that are yet to come!  (Rachel)