Reflection #3

What:

After reviewing all the art principles (and elements last week), I have noticed that you can recognize many principles used in every specific piece of artwork. I enjoyed the activity where you placed cards with paintings on them from "Picturing America." At first I was nervous I wouldn't pick out the correct one to show proportion. Then you explained how everyone's choices could be justified to show proportion in one way or another. Then my strategy changed to be just pick a picture and then analyze it to find where this artist used balance, or variety, etc. All of them were perfect examples. So fun.

When a picture book is being read to a child, many times the child or the reader will touch something they see on a page. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the reader could not only point out items that enhance the story, but also enlightens about the art principles and elements used throughout each picture in the book? Books can be touched (unlike real paintings in an art gallery) and touching certain spots can make showing each art element more clearly understood.

So What:

Before reading a book to my students, I will have already chosen books with engaging pictures on many pages and also be ready to point out many art principles and elements the artists used. Eventually the students will be able to point out these principles and recognize them on their own.

Now What:

The stories in books are enjoyed time and time again, as are the pictures which make the storis come to life and we connect with them. Each time a book is read, and re-read, it can be enjoyed and remembered for all of it's qualities, especially and including the exquisite artwork.

~JaNae

Reflection 2: Visual Arts I

WHAT have I learned about visual art - from both the text and class?
No two projects are alike, and that should expected. I love that there are so many vast areas of art to experience throughout your whole life.

SO WHAT does that mean for me as a teacher?
Children need to experience at a young age (and continue learning) that it is not merely a love or hate decision, but art should be considered for it's aesthetic features. They willl be able to "read" art and notice how artists use color, shapes, and line in nonliteral ways.
As a person?
Until I can "read" art, I will not be able to pass this knowledge along to others in my life, such as my husband and my children.

NOW WHAT -How will I prepare to effectively teach my future students? How has my perspective changed? How will this change the way I teach my future students?

Taking full advantage of this class is a great step in preparing to effectively teach my future students. My perspective has been reawakened to the arts and how much fulfillment can be experienced through the arts.

I definitely plan to include the arts in every subject taught in my classroom. The book talked about your environment should be aesthetically pleasing in that it is organized, and colorful...but not too busy...
When working on art projects, I will provide a few examples as references, so each student will have suggestions, but not be required to finish a project exactly the same as every other student. My praise will include art vocabulary. At times I will play music without lyrics
and always have each student sign their own art.

These ideas and many others have re-inspired me to always incorporate art into every aspect of my teaching. I look forward to my creative ideas on how I will implement this goal.

Reflection #1

What: (My Personal Experience with the Arts)
I have always had an appreciation for the arts. At a young age I began to learn how to play the piano. Also, in school we had art integrated throughout my elementary years. in fourth grade we had a project where we studied birds. Part of the unit entailed us choosing a bird, and then drawing a picture. I thoroughly enjoyed drawing what a Western tanager looked like. We performed musicals in fifth and sixth grades. I was a mermaid in a lagoon in Peter Pan, and danced the charleston in “Thoroughly Modern Milie.” I still enjoy singing along with the songs whenever I hear them. I gained the knowledge that learning in school with an integrated arts program benefited me as a child. I was a very good student and I have always enjoyed learning.

Some new ideas I gained from chapters 1-3 were that the arts can be incorporated in all the learning theories presented. These theorists include Maslow, Gardener, Piaget, and Erikson. Another idea shown was clarifying the misconception that there is left-right brain dichotomy and that their is only a window of time between the ages of 4 and 10 years where children learn the best. Every age is a great age to learn!

So What:
Because of the positive impact the arts had in my life, I have strived to incorporate the arts in many aspects of my children's lives. All four of my children are learning to play the piano and one other instrument of their choice. My oldest daughter has had great experiences with her orchestra and drama teachers in jr. high. These teachers have a love for what they do and it is passed onto their students. My goal is to also instill a love and appreciation for the arts in each student I come in contact with. My least favorite teachers were those who were burned out and it showed in their lack of conviction in what and how they taught. As a future teacher I want to make sure I take each opportunity with each student I come in contact with and offer them an example of how to enjoy the arts.

Now What:
In the near future as I certify to become a teacher (to students and include my own children), I will plan to use the following ideas to prepare to effectively teach and integrate the arets.

• Use the internet to introduce many places we could never physically visit on our own. For example, there is a virtual tour of the Louvre available.
• Incorporate the arts in as many subjects I can as I help the students experience learning
• Continue to be aware the "Creativity Killers" and stay away from mimicking those behaviors when I teach any subject.
• Instead, I will utilize "Creative Thnking Boosters" such as the following:

-Take a break with music, physical stretching, bending, or dancing

-Be open to surprises

-Don't always take the first idea, sleep on it

-Brainstorming