Val Anda

Unit Paper 4
March 16, 2017
Unit Paper 4

When we allow ourselves to play, our minds are open to a new way of thinking. There is

a freedom in the concept of play, and this freedom stimulates our creative expressions. Douglass

and Jaquith (2009), give three goals that we as teachers should keep in mind when introducing

the artistic process: student independence, acquisition of artistic behaviors, and the generation of

ideas. Choice based learning and teaching helps achieve this. If we create the right environment

for artistic expression by allowing choices four our students, not only will their art be affected,

but students can also learn behaviors that could affect their outlook on many other things. When

we allow students to include their life experiences in their art and have choices, they have more

freedom, which can motivate and foster their interest in what they are doing. Pink (2006), further

expresses this importance of play to the creative mind. When we play our choices are unlimited,

and this opens the door to so many possibilities. Humor, Laughing, and Joyfulness are all

associated with play and a positive state of mind.

The studios for our unit about play were very creative and allowed us to explore different

mediums. I loved the idea of creating finger puppets, and having the ability to choose different

accessories for it. I found the clay a little hard to use in the beginning, especially when adding

smaller details. I would try to add other things, and other parts of my work would get ruined or

distorted. After some practice, I was able to get the hang of it. Smaller kids would need more

guidance, so I feel like this activity could be broken up and take up more days. I would like to

take the puppet idea further, and possibly have the students create a descriptive story about their

finger puppets, or they could gather with a group of students to create a puppet show they could
present to the class. This would be a fun way to have them display their art work. Creating art

with nature is great because it helps students get creative and use the resources they have around

them. They are able to view the world around them in different ways, and look at the beauty of

simple things, such as arranging rocks in a certain pattern.

References

Douglas, K. M., & Jaquith, D. B. (2009). Engaging learners though artmaking: Choice-based
art education in the classroom. New York, NY: Teachers College Press.
Pink, D. (2006). A whole new mind: Why right-brainers will rule the future. New York, NY: The
Berkeley Group.