Introduction

The Living School is a grade school located in Portland, OR that serves grades K through 5. We are currently growing and plan to include grades up to 8. We use the Reggio Emilia and Education for Life philosophies for learning. These philosophies focus on allowing us to create curriculum that is based on the interests and needs of the children. Here, they are encouraged to pursue their personal interests when approaching projects and activities. Through methods of research, experimentation and exploration is how they attain answers to the questions brought on by their voracious curiosity.

Art is a cornerstone to this type of learning as the process of making things is how we exercise creativity, logic, math, appreciation for nature, knowledge of chemistry, culture, critical thinking, problem solving and so much more. So, in this art class I try and stay less product-focused and put more emphasis on what we learn along the way. Reggio Emilia has a strong tradition in re-use materials and the bulk of what we use are found, re-use or donated materials. I find that using found materials lends itself to more creativity because the artist is forced to repurpose the object and leads us to think outside of the box.

In this class we do not plan the curriculum at the beginning of the year. It is a dynamic process that changes with the guidance of the children. While we have benchmarks and goals for the year, the projects themselves are led by their interests. As they discover new things we stay flexible and "plug in' projects that keep up with their interests while facilitating that which we want them to learn. So, you can watch along with us, as our year in art unfolds and see how the organic process of making art with The Living School works.

My name is Kjirsten Winters and I am a mother of two who attend The Living School as well as the school's art teacher. This is my second year teaching art to the elementary school children. My favorite part of teaching these children, besides the fact that they are curious and enthusiastic about learning and art in general, is the process of how we teach and watching "magic" happen when we do not try and control the curriculum. When we stand back and trust the process then the pieces fall into place and the childrens' natural desire to learn flourishes.