Valerie Long/Art 3700/Discussion #2
Why teach art? Art is so important! Art is such a fun way of expressing yourself. Think about walking into an elementary school and not seeing any art hanging on the walls. How sad and boring and completely lifeless would that seem? Art is needed everywhere but I especially feel that it is needed in the classroom of elementary school children.
In chapter 1 of “Emphasis Art” it talks about the role of art in schools. I really liked how it talked about how art is important for Cultural Understanding.[1] What better way to learn about other cultures then through their art. Students get to see the art, learn about the differences and do hands on learning by recreating art from other cultures. I believe this will make the learning so much more interesting for the students to learn and probably a lot more memorable. Also, in chapter 1 it talks about how “art education promotes higher thought processes.” [2] I absolutely agree with this. I believe that art does teach students how to think and how to look at things in a different light. My very favorite part about chapter 1 was the part that talked about Frank Wachowiak and his thoughts on art. I love how he said “children learn to see more, sense more and recall more – they become aware of their changing and expanding environment, and they realize that art is not something special done by special people.”[3] Art can be done by anyone and children need to be taught that they can express themselves through art and they don’t have to be an artist to do so.
In the reading by Elliot Eisner I found a quote that I thought was a really good reason for teaching art. “One important feature of the arts is that they provide not only permission but also encouragement to use one’s imagination as a source of content.”[4] Children are so creative and ready to express that creativity if they are given the chance. If we stopped teaching art in schools a lot of children might not ever really get to express themselves so freely with art supplies and they may never develop a love for art. When a teacher hands a student some art supplies and tells them to create something they are opening up so many wonderful possibilities and allowing the children to be themselves.
The Champions of Change reading was full of a lot of interesting facts. This reading talked about “the arts reaching students who are not otherwise reached and the arts providing a reason for being engaged with school.”[5] There are a lot of students that do not like school and do not feel like they are very smart. These students especially need to have a reason to enjoy school. Some students may just need to have a break during the day from English and math and science and get a chance to relax and I believe that art allows students a break from the monotony. I think it gives them a chance to rejuvenate their brains and feel empowered.
“The real benefit of an art education in elementary school is not the final product. It is the way it teaches the student to think.”[6] I think that a lot of people that are for removing art from the classroom are only looking at art as busy work for the students. These people see the art projects that their children bring home from school and figure that they would not suffer if they didn’t color or paint a picture at school. They are not looking at the process of what these kids are learning when they create these art projects. The children are learning to think for themselves and create whatever their little hearts desire. Anything a child can dream up in their head can be created through art for them to share with others.
Art is therapy. [7] Art is a very special way of getting people to express themselves. People that are shy and quiet really will benefit from other ways of expressing their feelings besides trying to say what they feel with words. There are so many students that are timid and may not enjoy speaking during class. Art is for everyone and it gives everyone the opportunity that they deserve to just let go and be who they are.
I found a really cool website that had a list of 20 reasons why children need art. I want to share a few of my favorites. “Art stimulates both sides of the brain, 33% of kids are visual learners, studies show that kids who make art read better and get better grades in science and mathematics, art teaches them to think openly and it represents a culture of questioners more than a culture of responders.”[8]
Children need to be stimulated and they need to enjoy what they are learning. Art puts a twist on learning that helps the children to enjoy more what they are learning about. Art makes the learning fun. Tons of studies show that art is a benefit for children and that it can help them to succeed in other areas of their lives as well. Art makes children well rounded and confident. Why teach art? Teach art because we care about our children and we want them to be the very best that they can be.
[1] Clements, Robert D. “Emphasis Art” 2010. Ninth edition.
[3] Clements, Robert D. “Emphasis Art” 2010. Ninth edition.
[4] Eisner, Elliot. The Arts and the Creation of Mind. Chapter 4.
[5] Champions of Change: The Impact of Arts on Learning (PDF)
[6] http://answers.yourdictionary.com/answers/jobs-education/why-teach-art-in-elementary-schools.html
[7] www.ehow.com/about_5435355_teach-art.html
[8] www.artsz.org
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