The Children’s Movement for Creative Education
Is There Creativity in Education?
Since the middle of October, I’ve been asking people across arts disciplines and other careers to answer a few basic questions about creativity in their lives, how they use it, how it impacts them and/or others.
Only a few educators answered my call.
Now, the easy answer is that creativity is being deleted from many schools. Many Arts-in-Education programs are being terminated; new ones are rarely appearing. Arts organizations are scrambling for grants as the schools are losing the fundings they’ve had to bring in Teaching Artists.
I don’t believe that the only creativity comes from the Arts classes: theater, music, dance and fine arts. I feel that a good teacher finds creative moments daily, when the student surprises them in a positive or negative way. Finding learning moments, working around the boundaries that seem to hamstring some, how they find creative life outside of the classroom and use it…I’m only touching the topic here.
So…why have so few educators answered my call?
Busy? Sure, I do understand being busy. There are times I’ve got so much on my plate it IS overwhelming. Forgetting? Oh yeah, that happens too. Life happens. I get it. (BTW: I asked for 300-600 word essay; this post is 319 words and took me a half hour: just saying)
Now that schools are coming to a close for the holiday break, I do hope to see some of the guest posts promised and maybe a few unexpected ones, not just from people in the arts but outside of it, who find creativity in their lives, whether it’s in their career or daily life outside of “work.”
Personally, I feel there is a LOT of creativity in Education, and it extends far beyond a classroom. Learning happens far beyond a school setting, and it should be life long. I know I search for new things.
Open your eyes.
What creative educational moments do you find in your lives?
Happy Holidays
Dec 20, 2011 @ 09:30:47
I love that quote you’ve got up, (and your post – natch!)
Dec 20, 2011 @ 18:24:46
“Real teaching demands energy.
To instruct calls for energy, and to remain almost silent, but watchful and helpful, while students instruct themselves, calls for even greater energy.
To see someone fall (which will teach him not to fall again) when a word from you would keep him on his feet but ignorant of an important danger, is one of the tasks of the teacher that calls for special energy, because holding in is more demanding than crying out.”
from The Rebel Angels by Robertson Davies
(I think you could substitute “creativity” for energy in the quote above with similar truthfulness. Teaching is creative problem-solving!)
Dec 20, 2011 @ 19:38:43
Thank you Denise. Good quote!
Dec 23, 2011 @ 10:42:55
There’s definitely not enough creativity in the schools. My daughter becomes frustrated because even in art class they are told what to make, how to make it..and even corrected if their creation doesn’t match their teacher’s.
Hope you have a great holiday.
Dec 23, 2011 @ 15:30:28
Yup…the old Rote system: regurgitate, don’t think for yourselves. This is what I saw and experienced in the elementary school I worked in. NOT in the arts classes, but…sigh.
You too, Jessica.
Dec 23, 2011 @ 13:17:48
I am not an educator in the normal terms, not by a long shot. I know that when I sit down to help my grand kids with their homework, I muster up some creativity to keep them interested, oh my yes, the energy it takes. I work with them on chores devising new ways to keep it interesting for them and get the job done. I agree there is a lot of creativity in education. Great quote.
Dec 23, 2011 @ 15:29:07
Thank you for sharing. This is what I mean: learning and creativity happen in so many ways. Good luck with the grand kids!!
Dec 24, 2011 @ 08:13:13
Maybe that’s the issue- many folks don’t consider creativity each day- only when they get around to it!
Dec 24, 2011 @ 09:11:16
I agree, Roy. Not only don’t consider it, but think it’s only in the arts related fields. A lot more creative action and planning goes on that people don’t see or don’t see as viable. Thanks.
Dec 26, 2011 @ 21:33:59
I like your last paragraph. Creativity extends throughout one’s day, not just in the classroom. As an educator of third graders, I have to be creative all day long. There are lesson plans to create, differentiated instruction to provide for my different learners, creative ideas to implement classroom management and creativity in keeping kids motivated when work gets tough. So in my opinion, the teaching profession itself requires a lot of creativity. I try to provide as many moments as possible for my students to be creative within the context of their learning. Even providing choices and opportunities to complete assignments in different ways is just one example. It does get more difficult to do plays and readers’ theater when the class size is over 30. Sometimes there isn’t enough space to be as creative as I’d like. There’s my 2cents worth.
Dec 27, 2011 @ 08:53:16
Thank you for your 2cents
I’m glad you added it. There is a lot more going on than just the arts.