Secret Treasures

While all of this was going on there was another thread of creativity taking its own route. We had a collection of small blue and white jewelry boxes on our shelves of materials which had been used in numerous constructions. We did not choose to focus our attention on them, but their presence persisted. The teacher's role became that of an observer. Collections of "beautiful stuff" fit perfectly in these neat tiny square boxes. The artwork was reminiscent of surprising gifts and secret treasures.

Once again we found that the ideas of the children influenced the work appearing in the studio. We are not always sure how the children know so well what is going on with their friends. It could be that they are noticing different ideas as they pass by the museum, or because of conversations they have as they work with the artist. It happens sometimes that children from two different classrooms will be working on similar ideas without ever knowing each other, visiting the other classroom, or spending time in the studio together. It's like magic.

These simple collections of recycled materials took on a stylish elegance because of the particular care and attention of the children.

"This is Christmas. These are Christmas presents and flowers in flower pots." Mahider ­ (age 4)

Yoona used her box as part of a story that bridged the map making of the boys in Joanne's block area who were being chased by sharks with the idea of hidden treasure. She is a member of the English Language Learner's classroom, another of the four kindergarten classrooms in our wing.

"There is a treasure chest at the bottom of the river. The boat of people is looking for the treasure, but they can't find it. The river is shark infested." Yoona ­ (age 5)

Other children reinterpreted the idea of secret treasures into gifts. Zarriah began to wrap up packages with pink crepe paper tied with string. She decorated her packages with tiny cut out figures

"This is my bed, my mom and my dad are sleeping here, not me." Yoona (age5)

Zarriah's piece included many of the ideas of these two classmates.

I made a bed with a secret inside the pillow. The big sister and the baby brother sleep inside the bed. Nobody can open the pillow with the secret inside of it except for the big sister and the baby brother. Sasha (age 5)