0.2 Part two: special topics  (Page 20/39)

Occasions - Children's best and most exciting work involves an intense or arousing encounter between themselves and their inner orouter world. Teachers provide the occasions for these adventures. Children find it hard to be creative without any concrete inspiration.Instead, they prefer to draw on the direct evidence of their senses or memories. These memories can become more vivid and accessible through theteacher's provocations and preparations. For example, teachers can encourage children to represent their knowledge and ideas before and afterthey have watched an absorbing show, taken a field trip, or observed and discussed an interesting plant or animal brought into class. Teachers canput up a mirror or photos of the children in the art area, so children can study their faces as they draw their self- portrait. Teachers can offer childrenthe opportunity to check what they have drawn against an original model and then let them revise and improve upon their first representation.

(Adapted from: www.kidsource.com/kidsource, "Encouraging Creativity in Early Childhood Classrooms" by Carolyn Pope Edwards andKay Wright Springate ERIC DIGEST December 1995)

Suggested reading

Suggested Reading:

Click on the links below to get ideas for using online art resources to enhance learning about world cultures, mythology, and avariety of other topics: (online only)Click on the Word icon below to access the following resource:

Reggio and Art

World Myths and Legends in Art: Myths are stories that explain why the world is the way it is. All cultures have them. Throughouthistory, artists have been inspired by myths and legends and have given them visual form. Sometimes these works of art are the only surviving record ofwhat particular cultures believed and valued. But even where written records or oral traditions exist, art adds to our understanding of myths andlegends. PDF file of complete curriculum below:

World Myths and Legends in Art

Online Resources

Online Arts Education

Access to the Art Institute of Chicago

Access to The Metropolitan Museum of Art - Explore and Learn

Tour the Louvre

Egyptian Museum

Visit The Hermitage

Assignment 1: a look at reggio emilia

To do this assignment, click on the Word icon below. When it appears, press "Save" so that you can work on this assignment"off-line."

Assignment 1: A Look at Reggio Emilia

• Although the Reggio Emilia approach is best known for its preschools, many teachers recognize the wisdom of its application forchildren of all ages. Point to 5 specific sentences or phrases within the Reggio Emilia reading, and describe how these ideas and approachesapply to children other than preschool age. Give examples from your own teaching or examples from observing other teachers in action.
• Describe the role of the arts in your school, in your community, in your culture. (3-4 paragraphs)
• What is needed to help education and the arts grow in your community? Describe 3 activities/things you can do to apply some of the ReggioEmilia principles/approaches to a need in your local community. (2-3 paragraphs)