In a message dated 2/7/2004 6:00:54 AM Pacific Standard Time,
lindwood@webtv.net writes:
I lost count years ago of the kids who veered off into another
direction from my intended project because I let them go with their
enthusiasm and ideas.
This is very true. I like to give options to make my projects have some
variety. Lots of times students will have a new idea or twist and that becomes a
great approach. These will sometimes be the way I approach it next year. In
my more advanced classes I have given them a thin thread and let them go with
the rest having to come up with new ideas.
Happy accidents are the way I got through college. I cannot even remember
how many times I would goof and then make something out of it. My kids think
that mistakes are terrible and will cost them the grade but I try to work out
the goof into a great ending.
Happy accidents are great and I will always ask the students to work into
their piece and never throw it away if possible, but to take it into a new
direction or make something happen from it. I like this challenge and I feel that
we do our kids more service by asking them to work it out than to just start
over.
Ken Schwab
Art teacher, Leigh High School, San Jose, CA
Website: www.room3art.com
