"I finished! Now what?!" In a class with diverse talents, interests and work speeds, students often finish at different times. They need an area in which they can choose meaningful art experiences.
I teach in an alternative school with students in grades K-8.
They are amazing children who, for a variety of reasons, choose an alternative school setting. Some students come to our school for behavioral issues, some for anxiety issues, some because a smaller class just works better for the way in which they learn. They do best when given hands-on activities and when they are given the opportunity to explore.
My Project
Kids learn best by doing, but even in art (or especially in art) there are times when a student may be finished before the class is ready to move on to another project. Having a creative corner will allow early finishers to continue to explore their creative ideas using materials they may or may not get to use in class. Students will be able to pose wooden manikins to sketch; expand their printmaking skills with the gelli plates; listen to music that soothes, inspires or informs them; read about famous artists; try out different ideas from the new books; play an art game with a friend (or not-yet-friend); problem solve with manipulative puzzles that will encourage critical thinking; explore modeling clay as form and also as stress relief. By providing these supplies, you will be encouraging students to expand their learning beyond the lesson and you will also be giving them the gift of easy access to supplies they might not normally have.
Students love to stay busy but sometimes in school we can't provide a space where they can explore new ideas and concepts on their own.
Early finishers can get frustrated when they have nothing to do. The creative corner gives students the opportunity to take care and control of their time. It empowers them to create rather than complain and moves them from passive learners back into active learners.
More than three‑quarters of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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