2 Weeks at Peabody

Yesterday, I finished my second week at Peabody. I know that others have commented on this, but really the environment is such an overwhelming part of the program! I was just blown away entering the school's space and, in particular, the art room. Literally everything in the school stimulates creativity and imagination in some way. There were amazing things to look at, cool books laying out for the students to pick up, musical instruments, animals, etc.
I can see how for some teachers and students this could be chaotic and I don't think this approach is for everyone. However, for me it was amazing-it made me want to teach and/or have my son learn in a place like this. Not only did I feel like I took away tips and ideas for my future classroom but I also feel like I left with a head full of ideas for my own parenting. I loved how the materials were out and available to the students. I also really appreciated the fact that nothing was too precious; including the students' own artwork. Completed and in-progress projects were laying around on the tables- not sequestered in display cases or put off limits to prying fingers. I feel like this atmosphere encourages experimentation and autonomy-if nothing is too precious then you are not afraid to use different or unknown materials and explore your ideas.
The other thing I loved was the wide variety of materials the Peabody students had access to. Not limiting art to simply standard art materials and incorporating found and recycled materials, encourages students to be aware of art in their environment. Not to mention it instills an ethic of recycling and conservation. If bottle tops, lids, packages can be reused for art projects then things cease being considered just one time disposable objects.
The other thing I really liked (which I think speaks to my own learning style)is the project-based nature of the art curriculum. I am not good at thinking quickly and really like having time to develop and revise my ideas. The fact that the students worked on their ideas over a period of time and in a number of forms (sketches, plans, etc.) really appealed to me.
I definitely left Peabody feeling excited about what was possible in an art room and art program.