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Lesson Plans


Re: art room as refuge for G/L

From: Dennis Freeman (freemad)
Date: Sun Feb 13 2000 - 06:35:44 PST

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     What *is* pertinent to this list discussion is the
    >fact that the art room is often times a refuge for kids who are different and
    >don't fit in well with other school groups...
    >To ignore this issue because it is considered a moral choice by some
    >religious segments of our society is turning a blind eye to kids in sometimes
    >desperate situations.
    >-Lee
    >
    Lee - I, too, have been following this discussion / argument for the last
    few days. The main thing I want to second in your post is the idea of
    "refuge". Indeed, the art room does often function as a safe place for
    kids who are "different", the worst thing one can be in our
    cookie-cutter-reward-for-conformity-Tommy-jeans-media-saturated high
    schools. I am not talking just about students who are struggling with (or
    attempting to conceal) their sexual preference. ANY student who does not
    fit the vapid mall-rat model of current adolescence is in need of refuge,
    and the more open and accepting world of (some) art rooms is often such a
    place.

    As a teacher, I don't need to know a student's sexual preference or place
    in the social pecking order to respond to them as human beings with needs
    and fears. As a Christian, I only need to hear Jesus' words: "Judge not
    lest ye be judged". If I am "teaching morals" by modelling tolerance and
    agape love, then call the "Morals Militia" and take me away!

    Insofar as it concerns how we respond to our students, this discussion does
    belong on this listserve. That response, whether cold or loving, accepting
    or judgemental, tolerant or bigotted, determines much of the success of our
    attempts to teach. - Dennis (Straight but not Narrow in Wyo.)
    >--- 

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