The importance of art in p 12 education-3
- 1. Running head: IMPORTANCE OF ART 1 The Importance of Art in P-‐12 Education Brewton-‐Parker College “Importance of Art in P-‐12 Education”
- 2. IMPORTANCE OF ART 2 John F. Kennedy once said, “There is a connection, hard to explain logically but easy to feel, between achievement in public life and progress in the arts” (Webster’s Quotation Dictionary, 1998, p. 23). Art is more than just a work sculpture or painting. It is more than an activity for those who may be artistically talented. Art is more than just a side activity for students to do when they have finished a lesson. Art is an experience. Through art, students can use their senses and experiences to learn any subject or any lesson. Students can express their thoughts and feelings through various art forms. Art education is a way to teach students what they need to know in a way it can relate to them. Even though art education is not portrayed as of high importance in school’s today, I feel that it is actually of the highest importance. Gavin Newsom explains it by saying “an arts education helps build academic skills and increase academic performance, while also providing alternative opportunities to reward the skills of children who learn differently” (Brainyquote.com, 2001). Statistics show that “elementary schools are where most Americans believe the arts are most important and where they are likely to believe the arts are deficient” (Russonello & Stewart, 2005). It doesn’t make sense that America feels as if art education is very important in schools, yet believes it to be lacking. Art is so broad and easy implemented into any subject to create a better and more memorable learning experience for students of all ages. Clements and Wachowiak explain that through art students develop a better understanding and respect towards other cultures, they become more aware of what is happening within their nation, they can see ordinary things in a different and spectacular way, and they can communicate and express their feelings with others in ways other than speaking (2010). Art also allows students to become more self-‐aware and gives them the opportunity to create their own experiences. It
- 3. IMPORTANCE OF ART 3 engages their senses so they are creating a learning experience with their entire body; “the arts provide young people with authentic learning experiences that engage their minds, hearts, and bodies. The learning experiences are real and meaningful for them” (Kennedy Learning Center, 2011). Mathematics is sometimes a rather abstract concept; it is not the favorite subject of many students including myself. However, I feel that through the implementation of art into math, it can become very clear, understanding, and fun! When thinking about math I think of shapes, patterns, numbers, and many other concepts; all of which deal with art. You may be thinking “what do numbers have to do with art?” Well, the answer to that question is very simple. Think about how we write numbers. We use art when writing and seeing numbers through the various lines, colors, and shapes that are seen in them. Clements and Wachowiak explain that there are there are several examples of activities that could be used to enhance our “math skills” such as “measuring” and “estimating” and our “math concepts”, such as “scale and ratio”, “proportion”, “symmetry”, and “perspective” (2010, p. 115-‐117). Math can be taught in a way that is understandable to the student; “rather than a world of math as distinct from a world of art, you can provide the bridge and help your students to see their interconnectedness” (Clements & Wachowiak, 2010, p. 123). Science is another subject that can sometimes become confusing to students. There are so many areas within science such as the solar system, different life cycles, weather, and many others that can become quite extensive and confusing. Through art, students can create their
- 4. IMPORTANCE OF ART 4 own models and works of art within various lessons to really understand the material in their own way. For me, Social Studies is not necessarily a hard subject to understand, but more of a tough subject to remember. Through the use of art within Social Studies, students are able to learn and remember the information. Using art in social studies allows the students to become more culturally aware and to learn more about their community and society. I feel that it helps them understand what is taking place in the world around them and also what took place in the world over time. In Language Arts and Reading, art can make stories and other things come to life. It allows students to “see” what they are hearing and portray what they heard or saw in their own way. With art, stories can be told and read without words. Clements and Wachowiak explain that having children examine art, make their own art, and discuss it, enhances their reading, writing, speech, and cognitive developments. Simple things such as illustrating and writing stories, writing poems, and talking about a memory they have can be used to do help with such developments (2010). There aren’t enough words to express the importance of art in the curriculum, but to sum it up I can say that art allows the student to become a part of their own learning. It helps them to relate what they are learning to their own personal experiences and feelings. It allows them to express themselves in a way they are familiar with. It engages each student’s senses to create a very memorable learning experience. Art allows students to “create a seamless
- 5. IMPORTANCE OF ART 5 connection between motivation, instruction, assessment, and practical application—leading to a deep understanding” (Dickinson, 1993).
- 6. IMPORTANCE OF ART 6 References Brainy Quote.com. (2011). Gavin newsome quotes. Retrieved from http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/g/gavinnewso233602.html Clements, R. & Wachowiak, F. (2010). Emphasis art: A qualitative art program for elementary and middle schools. Boston: Pearson Education. Dickinson, D. (1993). Why are the arts important? Retrieved from http://home.blarg.net/~building/strategies/arts/dickinson_why_arts.htm Kennedy Learning Center. (2011). What the arts change about the learning experience. Retrieved from http://artsedge.kennedy-‐center.org/champions/exec_summ.html Russonello, B. & Stewart. (2005, June). To educate the whole child, integrate the arts. Retrieved from http://www.keepartsinschools.org/Research/Materials/FinalSurveyReport_2005.pdf The New International Webster’s Pocket Quotation Dictionary of the English Language. (1998). Art. United States: Trident Press International.