**ALERT!!! **
BIG MASSIVE PASSIONATE RANT!
NO GRADES AT PARSLEY PIE!!!!!!!!!
I’ve run Parsley Pie Art club for children for almost 17 years!
i know that art & creativity it makes kids feel happy, relaxed, it gives them a sense of pride, confidence, helps boost self esteem
it gives them a voice
it gives them the opportunity for self expression to be experimental
it gives them the chance to use their own ideas, use their initiative
it helps them learn to problem solve & focus
Creativity teaches them that its ok to make mistakes & teaches them how to learn from their mistakes
it helps them with dexterity
& teaches them perseverance
THAT SHOULD BE ENOUGH
i work with kids in small groups, this helps them to learn patience, respect, positive communication, collaborative skills & appreciate diversity & other peoples ideas & points of view
THAT SHOULD BE ENOUGH
Over the last 16 years I’ve had a few people say i should do report cards for the kids, like school reports & i should grade them.
Err.. big fat NO!!!!!! Fortunately these people are in a minority!!!
BUT!!! I had lady the other week saying it would add more value to the classes if she could get a report for her son, & for me to grade him
WHY????? i might give him a A star. Or i might give him a rubbish grade. who am i to grade & judge on something so personal . someone else might think he’s amazing at art , another person may not……. would it really make her happy? would it please the child? it would put a degree of total unnecessary pressure on him. what’s the true benefit to anyone???????
why should I grade them??
FFS!!! Why is all of the above positive amazing benefits not enough for some people????
Really & truly pisses me off!!!!!!!!
At parsley Pie there’s
No grades
No deadlines
No curriculum
No pressure
No judgment
No clean hands or floors
My motto. my passion. my ethos
i work with kids of all ages & all abilities
boys & girls
different likes & dislikes
different backgrounds
DIFFERENT
yet it’s INCLUSIVE
i bunch them all together, boys, girls, different ages
kids with special needs
autism, adhd
kids without special needs
but in my opinion we are all individual so we all have our own unique individual special needs
All the children are treated as individuals within small friendly little groups
I’m not putting expectations or pressure on the kids
since day one of Parsley Pie, way back in 2001, the ethos has stayed the same
FREEDOM!!
i encourage free thinking, true creativity, kids to use their own ideas, follow their own path learn to think independently and use their initiative
i have an awesome tribe of kids who are all different in many ways & all love to be creative!
they know I’m there is the need help or guidance but I’m not their dictating & putting hime under pressure by saying “hurry up because we’re moving on to a new topic next week” or “grading next week so get it perfect”
i say NO to grading them
i sat YES to diversity & individuality & freedom of expression!
i say all these benefits from kids doing creative stuff, they ARE enough!! 100%
& thats the way Parsley Pie will be forever!!!!
Thanks for reading!
Jenny
