The Arts in Schools - Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation

learning.' (Schools Council, 1981a, plO)In all of the arts, these 'fundamental resources for learning'are of two sorts: first, objects and experiences which excitethe imagination and act as a stimulus for learning; and,second, the media through which children can formulate andexpress their responses to them.75 Avail- The stimuli for expressive and creative activity are plentiful.ability: a The school needs to make them both available and accessibleresource bank to children. They can be made available through the organisationof a resource bank. For the visual arts, the SchoolsCouncil suggest that this might include:'— rocks, stones, fossils— stuffed animals, birds, skins and parts of animalssuch as bones, owl pellets, horns, claws, wings,feathers, mounted butterflies, moths— dried objects such as twigs, tree roots, pressed flowers,leaves, everlasting flowers, seed boxes— objects of the sea: coral, shells, sand, crab cases andclaws, starfish, sea urchins, lobster pots, fish nets,cork floats, driftwood— dolls, dolls' clothing, old or new— old or modern machine parts: ball bearings, cogs,wheels, nuts, bolts, screws, tools— scrap metal bits and pieces . . .'(Schools Council, 1981a, p23—25)The provision of a dressing-up box or clothing rail and abox of hats and shoes can also be a rich stimulus, withyounger children, for dramatic playing.76Accessibility:theethos ofschoolIf such things are available, they must also be accessible tochildren. Display is an important factor here — includingthe display of children's own work as a resource for eachother. The way in which work and other material is displayedand arranged in a school is more than a matter ofconvenience: it is a reflection of the atmosphere and attitudeswhich prevail there.'Whatever the type of school and wherever resource materialis displayed, it needs to be presented in a way that willencourage children to stop and think. It should be exciting,unexpected and stimulating ... it should be presentedwith as much visual sensitivity as the staff of a school canprovide, and ... provide ... an ever-changing environmentin which to work'. (Schools Council, 1981a, p30)54