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Thor
thanks for your comments!
(and no, I didn't see the movie... I got brave and went to see World Trade Center instead- it was a really good movie!)
posted by
Nanaroo
on August 21, 2006 at 7:14 PM
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Nanaroo
I think that you can teach creativity because you can't teach creativity! We are all capable of creative thought, but we are discouraged in many ways from doing so, or from trusting the results or the utility in doing so. I think you were exactly right in saying that these kids were reluctant--it may be a cultural push, particularly among those who have chosen to come here. A couple of Asian people I know who came here as first generation Americans spoke of expectations of their families about what was and was not okay to study.
SO, trust yourself and the kids and keep doing what you're doing in a variety of ways, try music, clay, finger painting, as other ways to get teh kids to create. It seems like, according to an art therapist friend, that the less controllable a medium is, the more it pulls a kind of unconscious creativity from the artist. I've played a story game where each person gets to tell one sentence followed by the next person and so on around a circle. Cool dynamics and creativity there. Good luck!
Did you see the movie?
posted by
Thor_Jasmine
on August 21, 2006 at 4:59 PM
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Nan--- I'm all for encouraging creative thought, and I did that often with
high school and college students. One year, when I told my English students that they were going to be creative in my class, one of them--- a scientist type--- moaned loudly. At the end of the year, she thanked me for opening her eyes to freer thinking. That said, the younger ones definitely need--- and desire--- more structure and guidance. But, yes, stir them to think whenever you can.
posted by
Jazwolf
on August 21, 2006 at 2:46 PM
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Nanaroo
What I think is that you're a breath of fresh air. The trend in schooling children over the last decades has been to challenge them less (mustn't upset them or hurt their feelings) and to invite them to use their brains less. I find the idea of using a calculator during an exam laughable, for example. And some genius at a local school in my city has just decided it's not necessary to teach children handwriting anymore, since the computer keyboard is their future. It makes my head ache. Anyway, keep doing what you're doing, Nanaroo....
posted by
Lensman
on August 21, 2006 at 12:18 PM
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Nanaroo,
I think you've hit the nail on the head, so to speak...It's important for children to be challenged in as many ways as possible, regardless of race. Sounds like a great job you've got here!! Keep up the good work...
posted by
lovelyladymonk
on August 21, 2006 at 7:28 AM
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But maybe you CAN teach original thinking...
At least you're trying. And they seem to have fun and learn.
posted by
Passionflower
on August 20, 2006 at 8:25 PM
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Perhaps original thinking can't be taught but it can be encouraged.
posted by
babe_rocks
on August 20, 2006 at 8:06 PM
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