Author: Sarah Brouillier Role: Student Location: Easton, MA Date: 02-20-05 I found that leaning toward choice-based art teaching proved a lifesaver for me at a time of desperation. I had an after school program where I taught an hour and 15 minute class on crafts from around the world. The first day I tried to instruct 13 first-third graders on the art of origami. It was a nightmare. I ran around the two long tables so much my legs were exhausted, my voice was hoarse, and my nerves were strained. I found that I was individually doing each fold for each child. In addition, the kids grew bored of waiting for help and would run around the room. After that first session, I decided I needed something to save my sanity. I revamped my lesson plans so that my crafts consisted of one theme (such as snowmen and snowflakes to celebrate winter) and a bunch of supplies to help the children create what they liked around this theme. I made an example and then brought in supplies that far surpassed what I had used in my sample, with everything from colored pony beads to patterned paper with the usual staple materials of construction paper, markers, glue, tape, and scissors. Just small odds and ends I had at home I brought in to see how the children would work with them. The results that second week, in comparison to the week before, were dramatic. The kids were more interested and worked much more diligently throughout the entire period. Those who were done early used construction paper to make background scenes for their snowmen and snowflakes. Making two different centers the next week proved even more successful and much less work and effort than I thought it would be. By giving the children more freedom to create not only what they wished, but also to create it in whatever way they wished with whatever supplies they wished, the session became more exciting for the children and much less stressful for myself. Instead of instructing each step, I could focus on refilling supplies and both admiring and encouraging their artwork. I therefore can imagine how wonderful choice-based art teaching must be in an art classroom. I can also see how it can be placed in a normal classroom by using a theme or topic that aligns with the curriculum and the lesson at hand.

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