Author: J Shem Role: Student Location: North Easton, MA Date: 02-16-05 I am currently taking Kathy Douglas' class Art Theory and Education at Stonehill College. Last semester I had the opportunity to complete my student teaching experience at Norton High School where a friend and I team taught a unit on Day of the Dead. We thought that it would be a great idea for the students to experience the Mexican holiday by creating their own art work based on the traditional Mexican art. At the time I was unaware of the entire concept of choice-based art and looking back I wish that I had had an understanding of it. To complete the Day of the Dead celebration the students were to build an altar honoring the person of their choice. They were also to create traditional masks, sugar skulls, and papel picado (cut paper). We decided to provide the students with patterns and outlines in order to guide them in their work, but now knowing how beneficial choice-based art can be I wish that we had simply provided the students with information on the traditional art and some materials to create their own...without patterns. I guess that next time will be better!!

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