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