“I thought of that!” – Student creativity meets real-world design in a meaningful art experience
This fall, as the new Shell Rock Elementary playground begins to take shape, students aren’t just watching from the sidelines—they’re proudly recognizing their own ideas coming to life. Thanks to a creative collaboration with art teacher Mrs. Steuer, students played an active role in imagining and designing features for the new play space.
To spark their imagination, students listened to If I Built a School by Chris Van Dusen, a fun and imaginative read-aloud that encouraged them to dream big and think beyond the ordinary. From there, students set out to design playgrounds that balanced creativity with the practical needs of a real community space.
“We want students to understand that art isn’t just about creating something pretty—it’s about solving problems creatively,” said Mrs. Steuer. “It was so fun watching their ideas take shape, and I can’t wait to hear the rumblings this week when kids see the new playground going up. I know some of them will say, ‘I thought of that!’ or ‘That was my idea!’—and that’s exactly the kind of connection we hoped for.”
This meaningful project also reflects one of the district's daily desired experiences for students: Our voices matter; our ideas and choices help shape our learning, and each day feels engaging and meaningful. By contributing ideas to a project that impacts their daily life at school, students saw firsthand how their learning and creativity can make a difference in the real world.
We are incredibly proud of their work—and excited to continue seeing their ideas come to life right outside our doors!
