From: Wayong-AT-aol.com
Date: Fri, 12 Apr 2002 14:36:45 -0400
Subject: PUPT: cookie cutter art


I'm all for cookies (yumm), just not in art.
Tell me about it!  I look at all these art education handbooks & I'm surprised how unimaginative & lame alot of those projects are.  They seem to focus on following instructions and 'doing things correctly' more than tapping on children's strengths & interests.  (I could write a better book knocked unconscious)  It doesn't do children justice, especially children who could excell in art like children with emotional/behavioral problems and gifted & talented children.  And those are the kids who 'won't follow directions' (good for them).  How many people here tried to bend the rules & assignments as much as possible (I know I did & either my teachers were impressed or annoyed :-))

It doesn't appear that teachers challenge children. Part of the problem is that art instruction is often provided by someone who doesn't have the appropriate background.  If one is not familiar with clay, puppets, painting techniques & what interests kids, how can one develop an appropriate curriculum?  In my art therapy program, we were required to have a diverse background & foundation in the arts, plus psychology & awareness of special needs.

That's kinda my goal if I enter the field of special education - to shake things up a little & encourage the roots of education to think differently and impliment more creative approaches in reaching children.  
I personally like to post on this list because I know - either by email or personal contact that many of you are forward thinkers & think outside the box (nature of the puppeteer?  do you think that's crucial to your formation as a puppeteer?).  I'm on the artsed list & while it's very active & there are some good project ideas, I guess it's too weildy for more serious topics to catch on (I tried a couple times).

(Mary if you have the contact info of your other list, you can email me personally)

Wayong


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