The Importance of Integrating Visual Arts into Curriculum
Eckhoff, A. (2008). The importance of art viewing experiences in early childhood visual arts:
the exploration of a master art teacher’s strategies for meaningful early arts
experiences. Early Childhood Education Journal, 35(5), 463-472. doi:10.1007/s10643-
007-0216-1
The author Angela Eckhoff is a professor of Teaching and Learning in the Early Childhood Education Program. In this article, a museum-based arts education program for young children was studied. The students were between the ages of four and five and their interactions with the visual arts were explored. The students learned about and made their own works of art in the classroom. The teachers were responsible for engaging and motivating the children to participate in an art-based dialog. After reading the article I learned about the four main teaching strategies that the program's master teachers used to introduce and develop class conversations about artworks. I also learned about the different methods for introducing students to the artistic and aesthetic elements of artworks.
John, M. (2015). CALIFORNIA IN THE CREATIVE ECONOMY.
This paper was written by John M. Eger, an author and lecturer on the subjects of creativity and innovation, in 2015. Eger focuses on the point that art is crucial in schools in order to help students be more creative and innovative which in turn will help them be better prepared for higher paying jobs. He focuses on the demand for creative and innovative minds in the changing workforce. The author also states how the implementation of the common core has brought about new ways of teaching that help foster creativity driven by arts integration. I found this paper very interesting because it brought up many new and interesting points.
Lynch, P. (2007). Making meaning many ways: an exploratory look at integrating the arts with classroom curriculum. Art Education, 60(4), 33-38. Retrieved from https://eds-b- ebscohost.com
Patricia Lynch is a Fine Arts teacher and artist. In this article, the author Patricia Lynch’s studies explored the ways that the different arts were integrated in the classroom. The study took place at the Arts Academy, an urban K-5 magnet school located in the southeastern United States. Third, fourth, and fifth-grade students were observed over a 4-week period as they engaged in arts integrations. The study provided evidence that integrating the arts with classroom curriculum consistently supported all kinds of learners. This article supported the fact that the arts integration is very important and an amazing teaching tool. It not only enhances learning but helps students learn things that are difficult for them. This article helped me see that it is very beneficial to all students to have an art-integrated curriculum but it will also be a challenge to plan a good integration.
Nompula, Yolisa. (2012). An investigation of strategies for integrated learning experiences and
instruction in the teaching of creative art subjects. South African Journal of
Education, 32(3), 293-306. Retrieved from
http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0256-
01002012000300006&lng=en&tlng=en.
In this article the author Yolisa Nompula, a professor of language and arts, conducted a qualitative research study on the integration of visual arts in order to optimize the limited allocated time to teach practical subjects. The research was conducted in South Africa on students grade 7-9. With the use of documentary analysis, teacher interviews and learner group discussions based on semi-structured, open-ended questions data was collected to show the benefits of integrating visual arts in a teaching lesson. The data collected showed percentages describing what teaching methods worked best for the students and why. I found this article very helpful because it gave insight to the different teaching methods and why students like the methods they preferred. I also found that teachers struggle with the same issue of the lack of an adequate learning environment.
Ruppert, S. S. (2006). Critical Evidence: How the Arts Benefit Student Achievement. National
Assembly of State Arts Agencies. 1029 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20005.
The publication written by Sandra S. Ruppert, a director of the Arts Education Partnership, provides compelling research on the value of arts education. The author provides statistical facts on how students who were taught with an art-integrated curriculum performed better in standardized tests. Another point made by Ruppert that I found intriguing was that high school students who took more art classes had higher math and verbal SAT scores.
Urbanski, A. J. (2012). The Importance of Arts Education and Not Leaving a Child Behind.
The paper written by Amanda Urbanski touches on a lot of the same points and concerns about art integration that I have. Focusing on the No Child Left Behind act, Urbanski points out the sad reality that even though it has been proven that the arts integration helps close the education gap it is still seen as an option and not a requirement by many school districts. When it comes to budget cuts the first programs to go are the art programs. The author cites a lot of great sources and information while providing good insight on the topic.
