Providing opportunities for creative expression in the classroom: a study

G V, Nagananda (2020) Providing opportunities for creative expression in the classroom: a study. Language and Language Teaching, 9 (2). pp. 46-52. ISSN 2277-307X

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Abstract

Free and creative expression is vital in a child's life for it enriches language development and becomes the basis for further learning. Providing opportunities for such learning in the classroom is critical. This paper has two parts. The first part provides an understanding of free and creative expression from teachers' point of view. This understanding is gained through conversations with a handful of language teachers who teach classes five and six across three government schools. The conversations reveal two points: (a) teachers feel that providing opportunities for creative expression is essential; they do not do it for want of time, (b) teachers believe that creativity refers to uniqueness; hence only some children are capable of creative expressions. The second part of the study uses three activities to analyse free and creative expression in class six students across three government schools located north of Mandya, Karnataka. These activities are (a) blank sheet activity, (b) look at a picture and write about it, and (c) read a small script and draw a picture. Children's free and creative expression was analysed using scoring guides, and observations were made along with some reflections. The study concludes by highlighting the fears and concerns of the children with regard to creative expression, and its implications for teacher learning.

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Articles in APF Magazines

Authors:

G V, Nagananda

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