Instant results/in-depth projects.

I read with interest the debate in School Arts on whether we need to send something home every week in art, or do more in-depth projects, as well as how important drawing is in the curriculum. I have a slightly different view than most of the responses presented. I do believe art history and drawing are important, however, since I teach elementary students, I feel that I owe them a well-rounded art curriculum so they can find out where their interests are. When I see how much they love to experience clay, or as I watch them concentrating on their weavings, I know I can't deprive them of those art experiences just so that they learn more art history or develop drawing techniques each class time. I do teach art history with ceramics and weaving, but I do not spend whole class periods on the history when I know the kids want do the art for themselves. I think that, given the diverse skills and interests of my students, I need to let them try many different media, and then when they are high school students, should they choose to pursue art courses, they will know what they want to study more closely, be it painting, drawing, textiles, ceramics, or art history.