Docter says: "Go Make Things"

3/1/2016

I watched the Oscars the other night and one of the speeches made me leap off the couch and yell in agreement. It was Pete Docter's acceptance speech. Docter is the creator of the movie "Inside Out" and in his speech for 'Best Animated Feature', he said:

"Anyone out there who's in junior high, high school, suffering, there are days you're going to feel sad, you're going to feel angry, you're going to feel scared -- that's nothing you can choose. But you can make stuff. Make film, draw, write. It'll make a world of difference." (watch here)

Yes! Make stuff.

I know a lot of us are encouraging our students to make stuff at school. We are implementing Genius Hour, creating MakerSpaces, teaching them to code, encouraging them to bake/cook/make art, etc.

But what about us? I know that I can easily go days where I only consume (watch tv, read books, check twitter, etc) and don't end up making/creating much. I have to remind myself that it is not only my students who are makers, but that I am a maker too! And so I push myself to write in my journal, make cards, colour in my new colouring book, because I think it is good for all of us! Good for the kids and good for us grown ups too.

So, I would love to hear about what you do? What do you make?
Maybe we can borrow some of each other's ideas!

13 Comments

Michelle Hiebert link

3/1/2016 10:38:31 am

I so agree with you, Gallit! I cheerd when he said to make things. As for me, I find that my "make stuff" time is spent in the kitchen...baking, cooking and tweaking recipes makes me happy. The clean-up...not so much. ;-)

Gallit Zvi link

3/2/2016 10:30:14 am

I know...the clean up is so not as fun as the creating!

Thanks for sharing about how you make/create, Michelle!

Joy Kirr link

3/1/2016 06:03:00 pm

First I've got to say - I LOVED that movie. ;)
Gallit, I don't consider myself a maker. Sometimes I do make - organizers for students, clearer directions for a writing prompt, various choices for various goals for students, blog posts.... I used to "make" more - greeting cards, crayon art, desserts... I think I am always reaching for that goal to make this the best year yet with my students, so my "making" becomes for them. I make plans. I tweak more than I make these days. I do, however, make more time for family than I ever have before, as well. And just last month, I started sketching on the weekends. (There's only room for growth with sketching for me!) Is it okay if I don't make "making" a priority? I will keep small bits in my life, however, to keep that creative side alive... :)

Gallit Zvi link

3/2/2016 10:34:09 am

Hi Joy!

So, first off: I also LOVED that movie! So great :)

And then secondly, I think what you listed in regards to making is great: lessons/organizers for students & sketching.

I would also add that you write blog posts regularly so you write. And like you said on twitter recently, you have also gotten into creating memes.

So you are a maker, right? :)

Thanks for commenting my friend...I love hearing from you!

Iram Khan link

3/1/2016 08:32:13 pm

Everyone is a maker. Everyone has an innate need to make, it just comes out in different ways. I love to sew, knit, colour, make crafts with my kids, create little bits projects, minecraft, bake, paint, build with Lego, photoshop photos.... I think everyone can come up with a list of stuff they like to make, the difficult thing is finding the time to make. I make time (ha ha) because it makes me (ha ha) feel good and connects me to my students, colleagues, friends and family. It doesn't matter whether I am good at any of these forms of making, what matters are the connections, the learning, the relaxation, the confidence, the excitement, the happiness that making results in for me. That's why I make!

Gallit Zvi link

3/2/2016 10:36:04 am

Thank you for commenting, Iram! You are definitely one of the people I think of when I think of making things!
Love what you said at the end of your comment: "It doesn't matter whether I am good at any of these forms of making, what matters are the connections, the learning, the relaxation, the confidence, the excitement, the happiness that making results in for me. That's why I make!"
Yes.

Thanks for sharing, my friend!

Denise Krebs link

3/2/2016 08:46:44 am

Gallit,
I love this post, and the quote by Docter. It's an awesome encouragement to young people and us. Like Michelle, my making happens in the kitchen, and like Joy, it happens in my classroom. I also like to make digital works--like images and blog posts. And we both made a book! What do you know?

Thanks so much for sharing this quote. I didn't see the Academy Awards, so watching the link on your post was my first time hearing it. "You can make stuff!" Beautiful.

Thanks,
Denise

Gallit Zvi link

3/2/2016 10:39:28 am

Oh I am so glad you watched the clip! It really was beautiful.

And thank you for sharing what you make, Denise. I definitely think of you as the image-maker! You are so good at it!

Johnny

3/2/2016 10:56:37 am

That really was a great acceptance speech! I totally agree that we need to make more things, and can see the link between making and happiness/wellbeing.
I love to cook and experiment with different ingredients and try different foods. I know I need to make more time to do this though.
As adults we easily put our students/children before ourselves, this is a great reminder that we as adults need to take our own advice!

Gallit Zvi link

3/2/2016 01:02:57 pm

"the link between making and happiness/wellbeing". Yes! For kids and for grown ups too, I think! Thanks for bringing that up.

Reminds me of how important it is to get out in nature for our wellbeing too! And again, for the students (nature walks, outdoor science lessons, etc) and for us grown ups too!

Thanks for commenting!

Margaret Westaway

3/2/2016 12:52:03 pm

The thing about making is that we have so many opportunities to do so. I think back to all of the things that have influenced me from the time I was a child, and I realize it's the makers who were around me at all times. My grandfather Was a carpenter and an electrician. He was fascinated by computers. My grandmother loved to host dinner parties and create elaborate table settings. My mother was a painter. My father was an amazing cook and baker, who dabbled in sewing. For me, making has always been a part of every day life. I think that's the biggest thing to remember, making doesn't have to be a big deal. Make a meal, draw a picture, darn a sock, tidy your closet, arrange your towels to look fancy in the bathroom. These are all ways of making in everyday life, simple ways of bringing beauty and satisfaction into our lives. All of us have the capacity to be makers, it's not the realm of specialists or highly trained individuals. It's all of us and we can weave making into every day.

Gallit Zvi link

3/2/2016 01:00:03 pm

Yes! So many ways to "weave making into every day" - thank you for the ideas, Margaret!

I thought back to my childhood after reading your comment and realized that I have been into making my whole life! I would never describe myself as an artist.....but I have always been crafty...I made my own jewelry when I was a kid (and even sold some at a craft fair), I made beeswax candles as gifts for people, I painted with oil paints on canvas, I sewed clothes for my Cabbage Patch Kids, I scrapbooked...

Ha! I never really thought I made a lot...but I guess I did! And now it is time for a renaissance--time to get back to making :)

Thank you for commenting, Margaret!

Margaret

3/2/2016 05:05:30 pm

Isn't peculiar how the word 'artist' is so intimidating? I make lots of art, but find it difficult to think of myself as an 'artist'. But the word "maker" is friendly and inclusive. While 'artist' seems to demand some sort of special knowledge, "maker" implies a sense of exploration and messiness that invites one in to explore. :)

Docter says: "Go Make Things"

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