Creativity in the art room doesn't just happen when students sit quietly and think, then draw or paint. At least not in MY art room. Students are free to talk but only when I am not talking ie. giving instructions or demonstrating. They know what my rules are: If I clap my hands, they are to stop, look, and listen. Bunny ears is another favorite of the students, and they love this hands-on tool for showing me they are listening. (See my post on more my rules, procedures and classroom management tools from my August post.)
This year I am doing a lot of collaborative team projects. This includes using recycled materials, mixed media, drawing, painting, etc. to stimulate interpersonal, creative and high-order, problem-solving thinking skills. Students need to learn to work together. But, they need to talk first. Honestly, I have never been in an art room that was totally quiet !! Someone was always talking. Many of my students want to talk to others about what they are doing. Sharing is how they learn from each other. Some students want music, which I pick, and it helps them focus. Sometimes I'll play music just to inspire them while they work. I love it that our superintendent acknowledged the fact that playing music is okay in art. :-)
I welcome any parent, administrator or teacher to come to the art room at any of my four schools. It may be an eye-opening experience for you. And I think it was for the three "guests" that came to one of my schools today. They jumped right in and helped, and no, it was NOT quiet. It was students, guests, and the teacher working and sharing. My class is well-managed for behavior and the students talking does not mean they are not being observed and disciplined as necessary. I am simply saying to those that come to my art room: Please don't expect it to be quiet. There are times it will be, not most of the time not. Art is free, and if we stifle their spirits, they cannot grow. I want my students to learn and experience art in the best way possible and be successful!
I think this quote sums up what I'm trying to say. "If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him." John F. Kennedy
