Monday, February 27, 2006

the artist's moment in the sun

Evangeline got another age-appropriate fifteen seconds of fame today when we took her Magic Tree House diorama to school today.

A project for her portfolio at the charter school, the diorama took her about six weeks to complete, from start to finish, including the time it took to read the book at least twice. She wrapped it up yesterday afternoon with a book report. It's an impressive piece of work, about 2½ feet square, and required a combination of several different artistic styles to complete.

Not surprisingly, she had the full attention of everyone in the room by the time we were setting it up on a shelf. One of her friends paid her a high compliment by saying she was afraid to touch the river, made of two different shades of blue tissue paper, because she didn't want to get wet. Another student paid her the ironic compliment of saying, "She had help." (Actually, no. She had guidance, not help, except for the knife used to cut the cardboard, and even there she directed the knife.)

When I left the classroom, Evangeline was basking in the heady feeling of admiration and recognition for her hard work. She's earned it.

Thank God the project is over. I hope it survives being at school.

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