Rebecca Stevenson 1

Play and Choice Based/ Learner-Directed

Unit Paper 4

Play is one of the main ingredients in artmaking. Students can discover the world through

play and art. In other words, It is in play that a sense of design, taste, and art interests is born

(Szekely, 2011 p. 64). Play allows the student to lead the art class. Similarly, the focus then shifts

from teacher to student. This approach is called choice-based or learner-directed education. By

teaching for artistic behavior, educators facilitate authentic choices for students and honor their

ideas for artmaking (Douglas & Jaquith, 2009, p. 20). Looking at students as artists offers them

the opportunity and challenge to make their own choices in art, which is a reflection of their

thoughts and interests. Childrens playful investigations and discoveries open new art ideas,

ways of creating, practicing design, finding new art tools, and setting a foundation for

imaginatively exploring things around them (Szekely, 2011, p. 64). In other words, no student is

doing the same thing and children find joy in creating their own art. Teachers are then given the

chance to learn more about their students.

In order for my students to feel like the artist, he/she will have a series of choices in their

artmaking. However, first, I would ask them a few essential questions. What does it mean to be

playful in art? How does play support risk taking? What are the benefits of freedom to be

creative? The only set of instructions I will give them is they are to create a finger puppet. The

finger puppet can reflect who they are or what they like. Students can work in groups to

brainstorm, or work alone. Next, I would give my students a wide variety of materials to choose

from. The selection of materials is essential to authentic artistic process (Douglas & Jaquith,

2009, p. 22). Based off of the lesson, play, I would give them a chance to get some ideas by

showing a few slides on PowerPoint of different playful artists and their work. They can then

work at their own individual pace at a beginner, intermediate, or advanced level.

Rebecca Stevenson 2
Play and Choice Based/ Learner-Directed

References

Douglas, K. M., & Jaquith, D.B. (2009). Engaging learners through artmaking: Choice-based

art education in the classroom. New York, NY: Teachers College Press.

Szekely, G. (2011). Testing the world through play and art. In D.B. Jaquith & N.E. Hathaway

(Eds.), The learner directed classroom: Developing creative thinking skills through art

(pp. 64-76). New York, NY: Teachers College Press.