Session 2

We began by reflecting on last week and in our groups we created representations of memorable activities and things we had learnt:

Laura, Amber, Robyn and Amy's representation was of a tool talk, demonstrating how to use the loppers safely.

For each tool there is a tool talk procedure which follows the same pattern each time and so helps us to learn their safe use:

·         This is a …

·         This is the handle

·         This is the cover (e.g. bowsaw, billhook, sheath knife etc)

·         I take the cover off like this

·         This is the blade

·         This is the cutting edge

·         I hold the …. Like this

·         I walk with the …. Like this

·         I pass the …. Like this

·         When I am not using it I put it down with the blade facing inwards(loppers the blade faces behind me) and the handle facing forwards

·         I use the …..to….

·         When I use it I use it 2 arms and a tool away from anyone else like this

·         When I have finished using it I put it back in its cover and place it in the designated place or toolbox.

We all practised the tool talk for the loppers:

Unfortunately the weather was unkind; it was rainy and very windy so we continued our activities indoors.

Our main focus this week was 'creative sticks'. We used our developing skills to make picture frames. First we had to find four interesting sticks. In some cases we had to use the loppers to cut them to size. We then lashed the sticks together with string to create the frame. The knots we used were the clove hitch, which attached the string to the vertical stick. We learnt a new knot called 'square lashing' which was used to bind the sticks together at 90-degree angles to one another. It was important to tighten each turn as it was made to make the lashing as secure as possible. Frapping turns secured the lashing and tightened it further.

We then decorated the frames with natural materials. "Picture frames help us focus on a distant view or on something near by... or to remind us of a special place." (Schofield and Danks, 2012, p.54).

Another activity was to make a 'dream-catcher'. "Native Americans believed that webs of natural fibres trapped bad dreams, only allowing the good dreams past." (Schofield and Danks, 2012, p.63).

We used stripped lengths of brambles which we bent and wove into a small circle. We then attached a long piece of thread to the circle and pulled it to the opposite side, winding it around a couple of times. We repeated the process several times to make a web. Again we attached natural materials to it and hung feathers etc from the bottom.

We took them home to hang near our beds!

We were very proud of our achievements. Some of us commented on how therapeutic the session had been!