Bright colours and Brilliant creations: When Art mirrored Learning in GP

 

Imagine a room filled with vibrant energy, not just from the bright colours splashing across sheets of paper, but from the young minds creating them. This wasn't a typical art class; it was a culmination of a year's journey in Global Perspectives for first graders.

Here, the focus wasn't on grades or following specific instructions. Instead, it was about reflection, a crucial skill in this subject. Through art, these young learners showcased their understanding of the world around them.

Children used whatever they had in their hands to fuel their imaginations. Bangles became Venn diagrams, shapes on rulers transformed into suns and clouds and fingers became paint brush. Soon plain paper transformed into a canvas of knowledge. One drawing at a time, the details emerged. Children revealed in mixing colours, discovering new hues, and using their creativity to express their learnings. Animal shapes came alive from fingerprints, landscapes took shape with strips of cut paper depicting grass and clouds.   

The joy wasn't confined to individual creation; collaboration blossomed as well.  Children shared their materials – coloured paper, sketches, crayons, paints, and brushes – ensuring everyone could contribute. But the sharing extended beyond materials. Different subject knowledge became evident – after all, Global Perspectives weaves together elements of science, math, and language. Rulers transformed into tools of precision, reflecting their understanding of shapes and lines.  Science concepts of sun and earth, taking care of the environment – these themes emerged in their artwork. Even phonetics came into play as children helped each other with spellings, sounding out words to ensure accuracy.

This artistic expression was more than just a fun activity; it served as a powerful tool for self-assessment (assessment as learning). By reflecting on their art, the children identified areas where they excelled and topics that might require further exploration. It was a heartwarming sight to witness these young minds actively engaged in their own learning journey. 

The act of learning, however, extended beyond their artwork.  As the activity concluded, a heartwarming scene unfolded. The children, without a difference of gender – boys and girls alike – grabbed wet clothes and began cleaning their tables. This spontaneous act mirrored another key lesson learned in Global Perspectives – cooperation and respect. Just like they learned to keep their communities clean, they took pride in maintaining their learning space, ensuring it wouldn't become a burden for their helpers (Class Akka).

 

This blissful experience served as a testament to the power of art as a learning tool. Awash in bright colours and brimming with brilliant creations, the artwork became a mirror reflecting not only the children's understanding of the world, but also their own unique perspectives and journeys of self-discovery. A reminder that learning goes far beyond textbooks, and that creativity and self-reflection can unlock a world of wonder within young minds. The facilitator reflected – perhaps, such drawing and painting sessions could happen after every unit, giving them more chances to paint, express themselves, and solidify their learning journey.