Description

Assessment Task 1: Written Assessment – Nurturing Creativity

This assessment is divided in to 5 parts:

A)     Assessment  B) Observation  C) Planning  D) Implementation  E) Evaluation

You need to complete all five parts to pass assessment.

A)         Preparation

In the service in which you work or are on placement, complete the following procedure in relation to visual arts, music, dramatic and imaginary play for both the indoor and outdoor learning areas, in the following way (age 3-6 years):

Draw a sketch of the indoor and outdoor areas:

l   Indoors

-         Include information such as office station (e.g. sign in and sign out area), children’s pigeon holes (bag storage), sleep area, windows, doorways, floor covering, (e.g. wet areas such as lino and tiles, wooden, soft areas, rugs, carpets, storage areas (e.g. cupboards, shelving), sinks, sofas.

l   Outdoors

-         Include information such as verandas, paths, fencing and gates, ground covering material (e.g. cement, bark), sandpit, climbing apparatus, trees, grassed areas, gardens and storage sheds.

B)         Observation

1.          Briefly, over the course of three consecutive days, observe and note under INDOOR and OUTDOOR headings, visual arts, music, dramatic and imaginary play experiences offered and utilised by the children. (these can be planned or spontaneous)

2.          When considering the children’s group and individual solitary play, highlight using the following symbols:

      ü    Consistently used areas and materials by groups and individual children

«    Frequently used areas and materials by groups and individual children

Example:

Arts and Crafts (visual arts)

Outdoors

Group (mainly)

ü    Bubble blowing, large painting, water play, sand play

«    Clay

Individual

ü   Easel painting, woodwork bench

l   Drawing with pencils and crayon on sheets of paper

3.          Based on your observations, complete a mind map (refer to chapter 2 for example of the diagram). You need to observe in your own work place or whilst on placement and adapt your group mind map top these observations.

C)         Planning

Over the course of a few days, plan the following, based on your Group Mind map as well as your indoor and outdoor sketches.

Each day, plan (in writing) how you will set up appropriate experiences in the learning environment i.e. two art experiences indoors, one music experience indoor or out, and a dramatic and imaginary play experience outdoors (weather permitting).

It is important your planned experiences reflect your understanding of how to foster creativity in children.

For each experience, you daily plan needs to indicate:

1.          Whether it is visual arts (VA), musical (M) or dramatic and imaginary play (DI).

2.          Link it to the relevant learning outcomes

3.          Developmental links, e.g. social and emotional, caring and empathy

4.          Specific consideration of cultural aspects for at least one visual arts experience and one dramatic and imaginary play experience

5.          What the intended age range and group size is

6.          Brief description – what/where/when it will be set up, e.g. veterinary clinic, outdoors on veranda

7.          What material/props you will use, e.g. for a vet – furry toy animals, a table covered with a towel, brushes, combs, water bowls, posters/book about caring for animals

8.          What the role of the educator is in facilitating and guiding children’s play