creating a classroom for artists

colour in jars 

In my classroom one of the many things that I want for my kidlets, is for them to feel creative.  I want them to be artists.

So, one of my tasks is to provide inspiration and materials.

Sometimes that rolls into one.

When I am looking for ideas and inspiration how to make my classroom environment inviting and an integral part of my students' leaning (Reggio Emilia's third teacher), my go to resource is Designs for Living and Learning by Deb Curtis and Margie Carter. It is a fabulous resources that never fails to both challenge and inspire me.

They show and discuss learning spaces that are set up so that art materials are available to the children, and are arranged beautifully.

I don't have an atelier (workshop in a Reggio school), but I can arrange pencil crayons so that they invite creativity.

We have shared crayons in regular old pencil boxes.

But when someone wants to be an artist, to think about shades of colour, they very carefully carry the artists pencils to where they want to create.

And if they want paper, they can take it from the paper bins.

With readily available materials, the kidlets can create with intention.

Whatever colour you choose, it's all good.