Reflection #15

- Where am I heading with the Arts and Arts Integration?

What:

Thanks to Escalante's final assignment to compile an Art's Journal, I will have easy access to any and all ideas we shared throughout the course of this Creative Arts class. There were quite a few presentations where I don't think I would feel comfortable attempting to have my future students learn a topic in that way (such as any of the Red Hot Process Drama Tools).

So What:

Because we worked in groups and learned together how to use these tactics in everyday school subjects, my courage and intentions to use them have greatly increased. I am a teacher who will always see the positive possibilities of incorporating the arts into my classroom each and every day.

Now What:

As this semester draws to a close, I am even closer to realizing my dream to be a teacher and make a difference with those students who are fortunate enough to have been assigned me as their teacher. The creative Arts can be used as a quick "brain booster" as the most simplistic, and then move to the other side of the spectrum and be the lesson plan for an entire unit. Learning in new and creative ways is part of RAD teaching and the students who participate will be so much further along in every academic and emotional standing.

Long Live the Creative Arts! Thanks again for a wonderful, enlightening, and fun class!

Reflection #14

Reflection #14 Arts Integration in Teaching - How have I changed over the semester?

WHAT:

I feel I have actually done a complete 180 degree turn about in my feelings about Arts integration. Before this class, my experience has mainly been to observe my children's elementary teachers in how they include art in the classroom. It mainly consisted of arts and crafts items and a few songs here and there.

There is an Arts teacher in my family's elementary school, and I have been very disappointed in what she teaches to the students. It almost seemed like the art teacher only had a few good ideas, and for the remainder of the year the students would be asked to draw a picture of a topic for the month. For example, in February, the students would draw a picture of something to do with Valentines. In March, it would be St. Patrick's day, etc.

Because the students really did nothing more than draw every time they went to art, it didn't seem like the students were experiencing much more than that. ---(maybe they should've called the art teacher a creative arts teacher??)

SO WHAT:

I now see how each students teacher can integrate art into the regular curriculum and actually provide the students with not only a greater advantage to learning and appreciating the arts, but to learning the subject being taught with the integration as well.

NOW WHAT:

I have now changed to see how important it is to actually integrate the arts in the classroom daily rather than wait until the students are sent to their "specialty" class only once a week. Studies prove that integrating the arts actually helps students learn the material for long term.

Reflection #13

What:
It was very insightful to hear each partnership share some of their success stories and some of their disappointments with the entire class this week. It is finally sinking in that teaching does not always end up as you plan it. The more flexible you can be and the more you focus only on the most important aspects the better.
So What:
Writing specific lesson plans for our Cooperating teacher was not very easy because we needed to conform to her wishes and still incorporate social studies, and art into her writer's workshop time we were allotted. It turned out fine, but we couldn't do much movement activities since the teacher wanted the students to be writing.
Now What:
Now that I am more aware of how many various creative arts activities we can integrate into so many other subjects, I will be more likely to use it in my own classroom. I look forward to that time and seeing the success in teaching with the arts.