The Blank Slate (or, the blank iPad?)

This is what my classroom looks like during the summer:

At the beginning of June I pack everything into my closets and cabinets to prepare for cleaning, and to make space for the summer camps that use the room.  Tomorrow I will have a full day to unpack boxes, create displays, and make organizational adjustments that will set the tone for the school year.  My classroom is always a work in progress, and I appreciate this time to reflect and reset.  

Today at our staff meeting, we discussed the impact student-teacher relationships have on learning, and watched this phenomenal TED talk by Rita Pierson:

 http://www.ted.com/talks/rita_pierson_every_kid_needs_a_champion.html

Implementing Choice-Based Art with Kindergarten last year was one of the most eye-opening and rewarding experiences of my teaching profession, and it was because I was building personal relationships with my students, and allowing them to be who they were as young artists, although  throughout the year I mistakenly thought that maybe the kids were different.  I  was thrilled with how sweet they were, and smart, and loved coming to my classroom each week.  And those kids worked hard, even if they didn't know the outcome, because they were doing work that was important to them at that moment.  I slowed down a lot last year to give the kids those opportunities.  We took four weeks with observational drawing rather than one.  I added movement stories, and puppet theater, and we experimented for full class periods with color mixing, collage, and paper sculpture.  I no longer required a subject matter when exploring techniques.  We talked to each other about what we were doing and why, and about what it is to be an artist.  The room was a joyful place, and the kids glowed.  Now I believe my room is a safe place for kids to make mistakes, take the time that they need to process ideas, and express their learning in a way that makes sense to them.

I'm looking forward to seeing all of the students as they return next Monday, and I hope that they find in my room a little time and space to love art.