High School Grade
  • Lesson
  • 60 minutes

Artistic Boundaries: Embrace Play and Curiosity

Jessi Goodwin

Purpose

The purpose of this lesson is to inspire high school students to reconnect with the creative freedom and wonder of childhood through experimentation with diverse materials and methods. By engaging in activities that challenge personal fears and self-imposed pressures, students will push the boundaries of their artistic abilities. The lesson will encourage students to embrace childhood curiosity and playfulness, transforming their artistic expression and rediscovering the joy of visual self-expression. Through reflective practices and collaborative projects with preschool children, students will gain insights into the impact of uninhibited creativity on their personal and artistic growth.

Learning goals

In this lesson, students will explore the concept of creative freedom by engaging in a 'Creative Playground Day.' The primary learning goals are to: 1. Encourage students to experiment with a variety of art materials and techniques, fostering a sense of play and discovery akin to childhood exploration. 2. Help students identify and articulate personal fears or creative blocks, and understand how these can be transformed into sources of inspiration. 3. Develop students' ability to reflect on their creative process and growth, both artistically and personally, through interactive and reflective activities. 4. Cultivate an understanding of how childhood curiosity and playfulness can enhance artistic expression and push creative boundaries. 5. Facilitate collaboration and empathy among peers by sharing personal creative challenges and insights in a supportive environment. By the end of the lesson, students will have created a small art piece inspired by their exploration and reflections, which they will share in a brief peer reflection circle. This activity will help them gain new perspectives and socio-emotional insights, setting the stage for deeper artistic exploration throughout the course.
Standards
  • National Core Arts Standards - VA:Cr2.1.HSI: Engage in making a work of art or design without having a preconceived plan and explore and invent art-making techniques and approaches.
  • Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.W.4: Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
  • Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.SL.1: Prepare for and participate effectively in a range of conversations and collaborations with diverse partners, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.