2. Table of contents:
Title ………………………………………………… …1
Table of contents……………………………………..
….2
Article: “Blended-art at the Kindergarten
Level”……........3-5
Article: “Art Across the
Curriculum”…………………….6-8
Article: “Art Influences
Learning”………………..…….9-11
3. “Blended-Art at the Kindergarten
Level” by Jessica Sill
The article’s purpose is to discuss the importance
of art in the kindergarten classroom. It compares
the differences of blended-art and directed art.
What is blended-art?
Blended art is a combination of open-ended-art
and structured art. Open-ended-art is students
centered and allows students to freely create art
in a safe environment with freedom to use a
variety of materials. Structured-art is teacher
directed and students use project specific
materials.
4. The Research
The author states that “In today’s standards
driven classrooms, art is often overlooked in
place of text based curriculum. Students need to
engage in art regularly and blended-art is the best
practice, specifically in kindergarten.” (Sills, 2009.
pg 7).
The author stresses the need for educators to
understand that each child is unique and needs to
explore different learning opportunities.
5. Summary
I enjoyed this article because I am a big advocate for art in the curriculum. I
agree with the author’s research and conclusion that a blend of open-ended art
and directed art are beneficial when it comes to effective learning. My favorite
quote came from page 13:
“In kindergarten, blended-art makes lessons memorable
because students are able to create teacher directed projects that cement
lessons and are able to explore lessons at their own creative level in an open-
setting. In kindergarten, blended-art refines and develops motor skills because
students experience materials in a hands-on setting and are give opportunity to
practice and develop skills.” (Sills, 2009. pg.13).
Educators are often pressured to complete the required standards in the
classroom often forgetting that children have different learning styles. Using art
can unlock many children’s potential to learn by helping them to relate through
visual learning.
The author compared many different psychological ideas and proved that
children, at a young age, learn through creativity.
Article resource: Sill, Jessica. May 2009. Dominican University of California.
“Blended-art at the Kindergarten Level.”
http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICDocs/data/ericdocs2sql/content_storage_01/0000019b/
80/43/a9/e2.pdf
6. “Art Across the Curriculum” by
Francis Wardle
Meaningful Learning. We know that it is easier for
children to learn concepts and ideas that relate to
something the child already knows, or has directly
experienced. This is because it’s much easier to
remember new concepts by attaching them to an
existing memory. One way to make new learning
meaningful is to offer children ways to explore
how the new idea fits into what they already
know. Art is a great way to do this.(Wardle).
7. About the article
This article covers the importance of art in the
classroom. It also explores the tools, materials,
and activities needed, how there are used, and
what is important in the classroom.
8. Summary
Francis Wardle, PhD. From University of Phoenix (Colorado) said it
best with this quote: “Since almost all of these standards are specific
academic skills (letters, letter-sound correspondence, numbers, even
reading), one result of this emphasis is that many programs have
increased the time and effort they devote to teaching specific academic
skills, and reduced physical activities, music, dance, play – and art.”
(Wardle).
This article could be used as a resource to encourage an instructor to
explore different tools and materials. Much like the last article, this
article explains the psychological need for creativity in the classroom. It
covers how young children learn and what a famous psychologist had to
say about the process. In the article, Wardle referred to John Dewey;
this gave me the “a-ha” moment because I remember studying Dewey’s
work and how important his research was to the beginning of education.
Dewey knew that children needed to learn through all of the senses.
Resource: Wardle, Francis. PhD. University of Phoenix. Colorado. “Art
Across the Curriculum.” (no date given).
http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com/earlychildhood/article_view.aspx?Ar
ticleID=406
9. Art Influences Learning By Anna
Reyner Art Therapist
Integrating Art into the Classroom
“Art is an outstanding tool for teaching not only
developmental skills, but also academic subjects
such as math, science, and literacy. The most
effective learning takes place when children do
something related to the topic they are learning.
When children study any given concept, they
learn it better and retain it longer if they do an art
activity that reinforces that learning. This
information has been recognized by teachers
since the time of Confucius, when he said: quot;I hear
and I forget. I see and I remember; I do and I
understand.’”(Reyner).
10. More About this Article
This article covers how art fits into academic
education such as art in math and literature. It
also includes tips to get parents involved in the
learning process.
11. Summary
Integrating art into the classroom is the common theme between the
three articles I have covered.
“Art Influences Learning” is a great article because it goes into detail
about how to include art into subjects like math and literature. In an
education world that is standard centered, art is often forgotten or not
included as part of the learning process. Many students learn through skills
that require touch. I was one of those children; fortunately, I had an
encouraging art teacher at an early age that recognized my learning style.
She knew that I related everything to a visual concept and helped me to
develop a learning techniques using art for other subjects.
The quote from this article that stood out to me was:
“The US Secretary of Education recently published a report on quot;The Value
Added Benefits of the Arts,quot; in which he states, quot;Studies have shown that
arts teaching and learning can increase student's cognitive and social
development. The arts can be a critical link for students in developing the
crucial thinking skills and motivations they need to achieve at higher levels”
(Reyner).
Resource: Reyner, Anna. Art therapist. “Art Influences Learning.” (no date)
http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com/earlychildhood/article_view.aspx?Article
ID=509
12. Conclusion
All of the articles I covered in this assignment have a common theme: Art in
the classroom can enhance learning to young students. Art often is not a
part of the curriculum of the regular class subjects but should be. The
articles prove that art is an important part of developing skills that
encourage children to learn in all areas of subjects that are taught. I am a
strong advocate for integrating art into the classroom. I understand that
many teachers are not comfortable with their own art ability, teachers need
to understand that they do not need to be an artist to encourage students to
learn through art. I have often heard teachers complaining because they
can not draw and do not feel as they could effectively use art in the
classroom. Using art can be as simple as providing materials for children to
relate a story by drawing what they remember or to draw the amount of
items for a math lesson. I am a product of a teacher that was not afraid to
use art in all subjects, this encouraged me to better understand math and
reading. Teachers need to understand that they have many different types
of learners in their presents and should encourage all types of learners,
even if it is not a skill they posses.
The first article about blending different types of art in the classroom is
helpful in that it includes how to explore art in the class. The second article
uncovers tools and materials that are useful in the classroom. The third
