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Lesson Plans


Re: creativity

[ Thread ][ Subject ][ Author ][ Date ]
JConley957
Thu, 19 Feb 1998 07:15:26 EST

I personally don't believe that we teach people to be creative. Quite the
opposite, I believe that we teach people to be UN-creative! I'm a high school
art teacher and for several years, I've gone (at the request of elementary
teachers) to draw for elementary students and teach a few drawing lessons at
that age level during my planning period. (We have no art educators in our 5
elementary schools.)

What I've observed, from the unique viewpoint of being in an elementary
classroom, then going back to my HS kids, is that the younger a child is, the
more freely they "create". I'm always amazed at how easily that young
children afford their imagination to enter their world compaired to the
restraints that they place on their minds by the time they're 17 or 18.

My High School students look at me in fear everytime I start a lesson with "I
want you to create....." Some of the aspects of the old Pink Floyd song "The
Wall" are right on target.

That's why ART, MUSIC & DRAMA should be required, not optional, for ALL
students at every grade level. As the only species that "creates", I believe
that Arts education is just as "Basic" as math, english, science and history.
Art is, after all, the true signature of a civilization.

I'll climb off my soapbox now, thanks for listening.

Jay Conley
Brighton High School
Brighton, Colorado