Rewrite Research/Practice Context

Reading my original blog post made me realize how much I've grown through this process. I still teach at two elementary schools with the same classrooms. I'm still in the process of making my rooms more inviting, but a lot has changed within the two years since the original blog post.

I've established some small centers in one of my classrooms. I have a "book nook" where i keep a lot of my books that I like to do lessons from. When some students finish early, I tell them they can go read if they'd like. Some of the books consist of light reading, how to draw books, and magazines that can be used for drawing references. I have extra markers organized in small bins by color, and a large basket of crayons. Next to these I store some clip boards and scrap paper so students can have a free choice of seating to draw. I also have a bin of plastilina that we call our "clay". Pre-covid, my students would use this and play-doh to create in their free time.

The nook has a little carpet in front of it with a large plant in the corner. I've decided that my go to decor is comfort. I don't like the overstimulation that seems to happen in (what I like to call) Pinterest Perfect classrooms. While these rooms are beautiful, I know it wouldn't be practical for me and the way I teach. Instead, I am trying to work with decor that is comforting and inspiring (carpets, soft lights, plants, flexible seating, etc.). I took my large green bulletin boards and painted them with black chalkboard paint. On one of the large boards, I hung small dry erase boards. On those dry erase boards I write the grade level and small learning goals. Next to those boards, I try to put a partially finished example. When I am organized enough to do this, it's a helpful reminder to me and to my students. They can look to that area of the room if they want to know what we are doing for the day. On the other board, I have some laminated painted flowers I created for a display and hung up. I have them organized around the quote: "Your mind is a garden, your thoughts are the seeds. You can grow flowers or you can grow weeds". When I first put up the quote, I really liked it, but I think I'm going to erase it and use the space for something else - but I'm not quite sure yet. I might draw some chalk frames and hang exemplary student work inside of them.

My classroom at my other school hasn't changed much. It is very small and the storage is open so the room looks cluttered. I'm still trying to figure out a way to combat this, but am trying to stick to one room at a time so I don't become overwhelmed. I still offer the same center options at this school, there just isn't a place where each material is always located and easy to reach. I think this independence and security of a routine can foster confidence which I believe will make an impact on the way students create.

I have noticed the excitement and inspiration that has come from these centers and the classroom. At Clark (the first room I described), the easy to reach materials and placement allows students to be independent. They don't need help reaching for supplies. Once rules have been established on the centers in the beginning of the year, students don't have to be guided or ask for help which also allows them to be independent. Because of how well these stations seem to be working and the way they spark excitement, I want to try a new technique next year or whenever our classroom is free of spacing restrictions due to Covid. I want my room to have stations. I think each station will have a group of 3-5 students. I would like to create some sort of system/cycle so no one argues over who goes where and when. I think with these stations, I will have a group that creates the typical elementary art so we still have artwork to display and take home. The way I did have it set up and want to set up again after Covid falls in line with my research questions. I want to know how play and art making effect a students confidence and creative thinking. My theory is that with the use of play and light guidelines on what to make will allow students to gain confidence in their skills. This confidence will lead to students being more willing to take risks in their creating. I think this freedom of choice in how to create and the independence to guide oneself on what to create opens the door up to "play" and exploration.

As I continue to learn more about myself as an educator, and students, I'm excited to see how my new knowledge brings changes to my classroom. I believe if I continue to be mindful of conversations and observations, my rooms will not only begin to look better, but have a stronger role/function in my curriculum.