Chook House Update

Last Friday we unloaded lengths of timber, and talked about wood: its colour, weight, what tree it may have come from, how old it could be, the shape it’s been milled into, what it might be used for. We all considered two sides of some salvaged Baltic pine floorboards, and agreed in unison: the warm grain and texture on one side was more pleasing than the other. 

Here was a shared response to a material, and it might guide us in the design process as our chook coop takes shape.

After unloading the timber, I asked the children how they feel. Good! Why is that? Because they enjoyed the doing, the movement, the physical activity. And also, the team work and challenge of carting long and heavy lengths. Using their bodies, feeling a weight, and the satisfaction of accomplishing tasks. 

I tell them how I enjoy working with wood. How it calms me. Makes me feel happy. Especially old wood, ‘wise wood’, timber that has a deeper story, that might come with nails and notches, was once a living entity, that we are respecting in the making. 

Thoughts, ideas.

Our two filmmakers – Katya and Poppy – did some great work! They were busy filming us, and staging scenes that might get used in the final cut. Here was a first foray into directing, and considering camera angels and composition, and thinking about a narrative. 

We discussed our design ideas. And our work site. And Bea and Samira returned at lunchtime, with friends, to help stack the timber. And we’ve only just begun. 

And we need help!

Would any SKiPPS students like to draw a chicken, an illustration to be our mascot?

We’d love to use a student’s drawing of a chook in our film, as a little animation. And maybe we could interview the artist, include them as part of the story. Maybe we could include a whole flock of chickens? We’ve received one already from Aggie, but others might also have creations. Perhaps we could include them in an exhibition, as part of our GRAND OPENING!

If any children are interested, please put pencil to paper and give your designs to Allison. 

Also, would any parents like to help us this Friday? We’ll be starting work on the build, with a lot of measuring and cutting timber: stumps, bearers, joists, floorboards. If interested (and you’ll need a WWC accreditation) please also contact Allison for details. 

We’ve a big day ahead of us on Friday. Get the floor done, then all else will start to take shape.

Dugald

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