Amy Balting Article Presentation

Amy Balting Article Presentation

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Table of contents:

Title 1Table of contents.. .2 Article: Blended-art at the Kindergarten Level........3-5Article: Art Across the Curriculum.6-8Article: Art Influences Learning...9-11

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Blended-Art at the Kindergarten Level by Jessica Sill

The articles purpose is to discuss the importance of art in the kindergarten classroom. It compares the differences of blended-art and directed art.What is blended-art?Blended art is a combination of open-ended-art and structured art. Open-ended-art is students centered and allows students to freely create art in a safe environment with freedom to use a variety of materials. Structured-art is teacher directed and students use project specific materials.

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The Research

The author states that In todays standards driven classrooms, art is often overlooked in place of text based curriculum. Students need to engage in art regularly and blended-art is the best practice, specifically in kindergarten. (Sills, 2009. pg 7).The author stresses the need for educators to understand that each child is unique and needs to explore different learning opportunities.

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Summary

I enjoyed this article because I am a big advocate for art in the curriculum. I agree with the authors research and conclusion that a blend of open-ended art and directed art are beneficial when it comes to effective learning. My favorite quote came from page 13: In kindergarten, blended-art makes lessons memorable because students are able to create teacher directed projects that cement lessons and are able to explore lessons at their own creative level in an open-setting. In kindergarten, blended-art refines and develops motor skills because students experience materials in a hands-on setting and are give opportunity to practice and develop skills. (Sills, 2009. pg.13). Educators are often pressured to complete the required standards in the classroom often forgetting that children have different learning styles. Using art can unlock many childrens potential to learn by helping them to relate through visual learning. The author compared many different psychological ideas and proved that children, at a young age, learn through creativity. Article resource: Sill, Jessica. May 2009. Dominican University of California. Blended-art at the Kindergarten Level.http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICDocs/data/ericdocs2sql/content_storage_01/0000019b/80/43/a9/e2.pdf

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Art Across the Curriculum by Francis Wardle

Meaningful Learning. We know that it is easier for children to learn concepts and ideas that relate to something the child already knows, or has directly experienced. This is because its much easier to remember new concepts by attaching them to an existing memory. One way to make new learning meaningful is to offer children ways to explore how the new idea fits into what they already know. Art is a great way to do this.(Wardle).

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About the article

This article covers the importance of art in the classroom. It also explores the tools, materials, and activities needed, how there are used, and what is important in the classroom.

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Summary

Francis Wardle, PhD. From University of Phoenix (Colorado) said it best with this quote: Since almost all of these standards are specific academic skills (letters, letter-sound correspondence, numbers, even reading), one result of this emphasis is that many programs have increased the time and effort they devote to teaching specific academic skills, and reduced physical activities, music, dance, play and art. (Wardle). This article could be used as a resource to encourage an instructor to explore different tools and materials. Much like the last article, this article explains the psychological need for creativity in the classroom. It covers how young children learn and what a famous psychologist had to say about the process. In the article, Wardle referred to John Dewey; this gave me the a-ha moment because I remember studying Deweys work and how important his research was to the beginning of education. Dewey knew that children needed to learn through all of the senses.Resource: Wardle, Francis. PhD. University of Phoenix. Colorado. Art Across the Curriculum. (no date given). http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com/earlychildhood/article_view.aspx?ArticleID=406

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Art Influences Learning By Anna Reyner Art Therapist

Integrating Art into the ClassroomArt is an outstanding tool for teaching not only developmental skills, but also academic subjects such as math, science, and literacy. The most effective learning takes place when children do something related to the topic they are learning. When children study any given concept, they learn it better and retain it longer if they do an art activity that reinforces that learning. This information has been recognized by teachers since the time of Confucius, when he said: "I hear and I forget.I see and I remember; I do and I understand.(Reyner).

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More About this Article

This article covers how art fits into academic education such as art in math and literature. It also includes tips to get parents involved in the learning process.

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Summary

Integrating art into the classroom is the common theme between the three articles I have covered. Art Influences Learning is a great article because it goes into detail about how to include art into subjects like math and literature. In an education world that is standard centered, art is often forgotten or not included as part of the learning process. Many students learn through skills that require touch. I was one of those children; fortunately, I had an encouraging art teacher at an early age that recognized my learning style. She knew that I related everything to a visual concept and helped me to develop a learning techniques using art for other subjects. The quote from this article that stood out to me was: The US Secretary of Education recently published a report on "The Value Added Benefits of the Arts," in which he states, "Studies have shown that arts teaching and learning can increase student's cognitive and social development. The arts can be a critical link for students in developing the crucial thinking skills and motivations they need to achieve at higher levels (Reyner).Resource: Reyner, Anna. Art therapist. Art Influences Learning. (no date) http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com/earlychildhood/article_view.aspx?ArticleID=509

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Conclusion

All of the articles I covered in this assignment have a common theme: Art in the classroom can enhance learning to young students. Art often is not a part of the curriculum of the regular class subjects but should be. The articles prove that art is an important part of developing skills that encourage children to learn in all areas of subjects that are taught. I am a strong advocate for integrating art into the classroom. I understand that many teachers are not comfortable with their own art ability, teachers need to understand that they do not need to be an artist to encourage students to learn through art. I have often heard teachers complaining because they can not draw and do not feel as they could effectively use art in the classroom. Using art can be as simple as providing materials for children to relate a story by drawing what they remember or to draw the amount of items for a math lesson. I am a product of a teacher that was not afraid to use art in all subjects, this encouraged me to better understand math and reading. Teachers need to understand that they have many different types of learners in their presents and should encourage all types of learners, even if it is not a skill they posses. The first article about blending different types of art in the classroom is helpful in that it includes how to explore art in the class. The second article uncovers tools and materials that are useful in the classroom. The third article discusses how art influences learning.

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