Elementary school and artistic freedom?

[Barb D]

DD9 came home from school mildly perturbed today. They are doing a project in art that will eventually be turned into one of those "Original Works": mugs, T-shirts, etc. that you can order with your child's artwork on them.

For this project they could draw anything they wanted. She is drawing a sunset. She says she picked it because she knows I like sunsets. The teacher told her that having the sun as the focus in not enough, that she needs to put an animal (like a dolphin) in there too. DD doesn't WANT to put an animal in there. She likes it the way it is, and thinks that's the way I will like it. (She's right!)

I am *not* one for fighting with teachers, at all, at all. I don't think I've ever written a note fighting an assignment or anything. But to me this might be a battle worth fighting. It would be different if the assignment was "focus", or "duplicate this style of painting" or something like that. But the assignment was to draw anything they wanted. She wants to draw a sunset, without an animal. It's a case of artistic freedom.

What do you think?

BTW, I don't need any snide comments about my "special little snowflake." Of course she's special. That's not the point.

 

[agnes!]

Tell the teacher that is your DD doesn't get to do *her* art the way she wants to, you're not buying the overpriced crappy mug/mousepad/magnet/T-shirt/etc.

It's only a fundraiser *anyway*. Why does the teacher care about the subject matter if it's supposed to be student's choice ?

agnes!

 

[EMom]

If it's going to evolve into something to be ordered and paid for (plate, mug, t-shirt) then dang right I want it to be something DD wanted to draw and that I want to enjoy seeing. When cash is involved, you please the customer.....in this case, the parent. If you're supposed to be able to draw whatever you like, unless it is objectionable, then I say let the kid draw what she likes. Who wants a dolphin in a sunset anyway? Has the teacher got something against sunsets?

 

[lillygator]

do you know for sure what the exact directions were?

 

[Spinning]

LOL! Not sure I would fight it but I love the entire idea!
We had an art teacher that you could not vary from the orginal example! Made me nuts....You had to use her colors! And those were the only colors she put on the table.....this would be for drawing trees! Only greens! UGH!

 

[agnes!]

do you know for sure what the exact directions were?

Ah, a voice of reason. Check with the teacher first to see what the directions were, maybe ask some of your DD's classmates and/or their parents too.

If what was reported to you is true...I'm still over the teacher wanting a dolphin added.

Also: what EMom said

agnes!

 

[Barb D]

do you know for sure what the exact directions were?

At her table one kid is drawing an owl, one a basketball, and one is drawing bats. It seems pretty diverse to me.

 

[C.Ann]

DGD's school does this every year - and every year she has been "told" exactly "what" she has to draw.. The year before last it was an apple tree; last year it was a goldfish; and this year it hasn't started yet..

DGD is extremely artistic - loves to design fashions; draw various animals; do landscapes; draw portraits; etc. - but - she's not allowed to choose what she draws (which in my opinion stinks - because we're the ones buying this stuff!)..

Personally I think the kids should have a say in it, but I wonder if it has something to do with the company that actually produces the item.. Maybe restrictions due to colors; sizing; etc..

If you contact someone, I'd be interested to hear what the response is..

 

[JESW]

We have done these before. Let your dd draw whatever she wants. It is not something to be graded, it is not something specific, it is something that you will be buying. The teacher may have wanted your dd to add something so that you would be getting more for your money and not *just* a sunset.

Jill...who STILL has stacks of note cards I purchased with my kids drawings on them...

 

[hereyago]

I think your DD should stick with her artistic integrity!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

She cannot force your dd to put a dolphin in there.

Your dd can say...."I spoke with my mom and she does not want a dolphin, she is allergic."....

J/k on the allergic. But it would but funny to see her face.

I remember my kids doing that stuff. I always just bought a magnet. I wonder where they are.....?

 

[flying_babyb]

this is crap. sorry for for my choice of words but gosh- This makes me recall my MOST HATED art teacher. I love art. my art teacher used to tell us our art wasnt "done" if it wasnt as complicated as he liked. Then in high school I had the best art teacher ever LOL. Sorry ot.
I would fight it, HARD. Its a big deal for your child to draw ANYTHING she wants. It stiffles her freedom when she is told what to draw. Dont let this art teacher stiffle your child.

 

[Geoff_M]

Reminds me of this classic Harry Chapin ("Cats in the Cradle") song:

Flowers are Red
by Harry Chapin

The little boy went first day of school
He got some crayons and started to draw
He put colors all over the paper
For colors was what he saw
And the teacher said.. What you doin' young man
I'm paintin' flowers he said
She said... It's not the time for art young man
And anyway flowers are green and red
There's a time for everything young man
And a way it should be done
You've got to show concern for everyone else
For you're not the only one

And she said...
Flowers are red young man
Green leaves are green
There's no need to see flowers any other way
Than they way they always have been seen

But the little boy said...
There are so many colors in the rainbow
So many colors in the morning sun
So many colors in the flower and I see every one

Well the teacher said.. You're sassy
There's ways that things should be
And you'll paint flowers the way they are
So repeat after me.....

And she said...
Flowers are red young man
Green leaves are green
There's no need to see flowers any other way
Than they way they always have been seen

But the little boy said...
There are so many colors in the rainbow
So many colors in the morning sun
So many colors in the flower and I see every one

The teacher put him in a corner
She said.. It's for your own good..
And you won't come out 'til you get it right
And are responding like you should
Well finally he got lonely
Frightened thoughts filled his head
And he went up to the teacher
And this is what he said.. and he said

Flowers are red, green leaves are green
There's no need to see flowers any other way
Than the way they always have been seen

Time went by like it always does
And they moved to another town
And the little boy went to another school
And this is what he found
The teacher there was smilin'
She said...Painting should be fun
And there are so many colors in a flower
So let's use every one

But that little boy painted flowers
In neat rows of green and red
And when the teacher asked him why
This is what he said.. and he said

Flowers are red, green leaves are green
There's no need to see flowers any other way
Than the way they always have been seen.

Unless there's something we're missing here... Let the kid paint a sunset/sunrise, or whatever.

 

[Violet Crayon]

I'm trying to think from the teacher's perspective.

Could her suggestion (of adding) have anything to do with the level of challenge the teacher would like to see students take on?

 

[bethbuchall]

That's one of my favorite songs, Geoff M.

I would say that if she has do her picture the teacher's way then refuse to buy any of that overpriced junk. If she wants you to have a mug, stationery, etc. with her drawings, you can always scan them or digitally photograph them and buy something through Kodak Gallery, Snapfish, etc.

If it is for an assignment, maybe there is a reason that the teacher wants it done a certain way. That doesn't mean, however, that they need to profit from you.

 

[LuvOrlando]

-

 

[SharkyGoddess]

I would call the yeacher and ask her if there were any specific instructions about the content of the "art". If not, then stress to her how much you enjoy your child's drawing and that since this is something you will be purchasing as a fundraiser for the class, you would prefer it stay just as it is.

My kids have done the exact same projects and only once were they ever ordered to draw a certain something. I happened to be assisting the teacher in the next room that day and laughed with another mom about how her choice was going to bite her back... and it did

 

[luvmy3]

If the assignment was in fact to draw whatever you want, this is just an example why art in school is pointless. If you want to teach art history, great but if you are going to dictate to students how to do express their own creativity what is the point of letting them be creative. Thats all I have to say about that

I hope your dd does whatever she wants

 

[AristocatFan]

Tell her to paint a little fin sticking up out of the water, off in the distance. Then she can tell the teacher that's the shark that ate the dolphin!

 

[SharkyGoddess]

Tell her to paint a little fin sticking up out of the water, off in the distance. Then she can tell the teacher that's the shark that ate the dolphin!

Dolphin... the other white meat.