I agree with you, but I would make sure of the activity while talking to
the teacher. One of our kinder teachers gives the children a piece of
paper with a large square on it, and tells them to draw a picture of
themselves inside the square. Then they cut out the picture on the
lines. It gives her a quick heads up assessment of their fine motor
skills, ability to follow directions, and basic vocabulary (square,
inside). Maybe your daughter's teacher was doing something similar.
From: jtowle [mailto:email@example.com]
Sent: Monday, September 09, 2002 5:26 PM
To: ArtsEdNet Talk
Subject: ***WHERE TO COLOR? Inside or Outside of the lines????***
My 4 1/2-year old returned home from her 1st day at preschool upset.
said she 'got in trouble' because she wasn't coloring inside of the
I'm furious. Is there any justification in the education world for
insisting that children stay within the lines? The only one I can think
of is motor control... in which case 1) it shouldn't be called ART time,
and 2) a child should NOT be reprimanded.
HELP! Give me verbal ammo for this one, either direction. I really
to justify letting her color WHEREVER on the paper she wants to...am I