With an emphasis on high-stakes testing and a
focused curriculum, it would seem at times, the joy of
creativity is missing from the classroom. This article de￾scribes a curricular approach the children named ‘‘Creative
Endeavors’’, as implemented by a first grade teacher. The
approach is described in three phases. In the exploratory
stage the children were presented with various media, made
requests for additional materials, and explored different
forms of expression. In the second phase the children made
choices based on interests, and typically worked with
others in a spirit of collaboration with an emphasis on the
process of the project as well as affective responses. In the
final phase of intentional planning, children began to in￾dependently design, construct, and take responsibility for
their project working alone or with others. Phases are in￾tended to provide a blueprint for other teachers to explore
creative endeavors in the classroom. Children in this pro￾ject communicated through various media including sew￾ing, photography, and drama. Through collaborating with
peer and choosing projects, the children became authenti￾cally engaged in the various classroom experiences.
Although the curricular approach was intended to foster
creativity, in each phase writing about their projects be￾came a natural and critical element in the process. Children
wrote about their experiences, the steps they took to take
part in the process, why they chose it, and reflected upon
the projects undertaken.

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Tersedia

• Creative Endeavors: Inspiring Creativity in a First Grade Classroom

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