Re: The Freedom of Creativity...Or the lack thereof -- Adolescent Psychology Applied to Education

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Subject: Re: The Freedom of Creativity...Or the lack thereof

Author:
Jaclyn Suffel

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Date Posted: 15:27:19 02/03/08 Sun
In reply to: Christina V. Watkins 's message, "The Freedom of Creativity...Or the lack thereof" on 17:30:05 01/27/08 Sun

I completely agree with the idea of creativity being more-or-less stifled in our school systems. When you operate in a system that is based within standardized test scores, there isn't much room to find the moments to deviate into a creative venture.
I struggle often as a teacher with this problem because I firmly believe that not all that is to be taught and learned comes from a multiple choice state mandated test.
I too perked up when I started to read chapter 3, but like you, I also thought "who are we kidding".
I try as hard as possible to tap into the creative interests of my students by allowing them to free-write, draw for comprehension, collage, act, sing, rap, and re-create. The trick is finding a way to integrate these concepts into a curriculum that is less-than-brain building. I have my students write raps using all of their vocabulary words, keep a journal, write poetry, draw scenes from books, and act out parts as they read aloud. The other day we did a mock trial and I saw how they perked up at the opportunity to do something different than the norm. It is in these times that I often feel like they are learning the most and the most engaged with the material they are learning.
I think often creativity scares teachers because it doesn't have the structure or the clear cut nature of traditional classwork and grading ruberics. But, I feel that if more teachers embraced integrating creative expression into their curriculum, they would see more investment and greater results.

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