CIS Teachers are requested to submit an idea for using Art, Music, PE, Library, or Technology in their classrooms to support their curriculum.
Submit your idea by entering a comment on this CIS Teachers Blog, and you will be considered present and attending the Faculty Meeting regarding the Special Area's Presentation of a summary of chapter 7. (This will be in place of attending the after school meeting.)
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1. Click COMMENTS on bottom right of this post. (There will be a number in front of comments, that is just the total number of posted comments entered so far.) If COMMENTS is not listed, just scroll down and see the "Post a Comment" text box.
2. Enter your comment/idea in the "Post a Comment" text box. INCLUDE YOUR NAME AND GRADE LEVEL.
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Special Area Teachers will submit summary comments about chapter 7 of Best Practice, Today's Standards for Teaching and Learning in America's Schools. This chapter is entitled, "Best Practice in Visual Art, Music, Dance, and Theater."
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A paragraph on page 205 in Chapter 7 of Best Practice, by Zemelman, Daniels and Hyde (3rd. edition) called my attention. It was interesting to learn about a school in Indianapolis that encourages children’s expression through the arts, and is mindful of their talents, needs and successes to the extent that students are allowed to participate in self-directed special area activities all afternoon.
ReplyDeleteThe same authors on page 204 address the importance of integrating the arts across the whole curriculum, pointing out that this approach enhances student learning and retention by addressing multiple intelligence aspects (in the sense of Gardner) and promoting diverse learning styles. In practice, however, is it really feasible for special area teachers to effectively support core-subject learning without compromising art education? I fear that art education as a discipline of value in itself may become endangered if it is seen solely as an accessory “service discipline”. Furthermore, student exposure to special areas faces serious time constraints, limiting the emphasis that can be placed on supporting core-subject content.
I have independently created many art lessons that address TCAP content knowledge. However, exchanging information about grade-level based yearlong curricula with classroom teachers might be a more effective approach , as it would allow for better long-term planning and concurrent overlap in teaching content.
Jessica (Art)
Library time could tie in with the weekly skill in Reading. Students could experience a picture book or novel passage and then practice the weekly skill.
ReplyDeleteJOANNA SMITH, GRADE 4
Geometry in Art, Graphing in Technology, Acronym songs for various subjects in Music
ReplyDeleteKIM LEE, GRADE 4
THE ARTS IN SCHOOLS AND SOCIETY
ReplyDelete-The arts have been looked upon as frills, extras, and add-ons in some schools.
-The arts are also marginalized in the community.
Chapter 7 begins with a sad story about of the hallways of a Chicago elementary school. The art work consists of class sets of 30 matching valentines on white doilies, or 30 matching Thanksgiving turkeys, with nothing to distinguish one child's product from another but the signature.
However, if you walked into our halls or our art classroom, you would see evidence of individual expressions and experimentations (as presented in the unit on castles and palaces). From what I have observed, our art classes help students to explore, express, and connect ideas from science, math, reading, and social studies.
A LOOK AT THE STANDARDS DOCUMENT
-The arts reach students in ways that they are not otherwise reached.
-The arts transform the environment for learning.
-The arts connect students to themselves and to each other.
-The arts provide new challenges for those students already considered successful.
-The arts connect learning experiences to the world of work.
The arts document pointed toward art as a tool of engagement and learning across the curriculum.
For all children, the arts draw them deeper into academic work, help them achieve more, and may even improve their scores on high-stakes tests.
Madeline Elder
Art-Life Cycle Plate
ReplyDeleteMusic-Concept Songs ex. States of Matter, Water Cycle, Fractions, Multiplication, etc.
P.E.- Spelling word Punch & GoTrybe
Library-Classroom Library
Technology-Active board, computer CD player, Digital Camera, Overhead, DVD player and Internet.
Trish Harrison
Grade 4
The arts reach students who are not otherwise being reached. In the Special Areas, we see this in action every day. Hard to reach students often love special area classes. Several research documents quoted in Chapter 7 point to the arts as a tool of engagement and learning across the curriculum. They reported positive impact on everything from SAT scores to dropout rates when kids have intensive and regular arts experiences in their schools.
ReplyDeleteBorn to do art? Students need and enjoy opportunities for self-expression.
Art simply gives another way of seeing and knowing. Use of art in the classroom helps to construct and internalize lessons that cannot be learned through other experiences.
One of the recommendations from Chapter 7 is to use art as a tool for doing, learning, and thinking. Art, Music, PE, Library, and especially Technology should regularly be used as engaging and effective tools for doing, learning, and thinking.
Susan Parker, Technology
There is so much that is being done to help integrate learning across all subject areas...including our special areas. I've read the comments of the other teachers and I like the suggestions of the types of "activities" that can be done in each special area to help reinforce the learning in the regular classroom.
ReplyDeleteGeometry can be used a lot in Art.
There are many songs that can help students learn concepts across the curriculum that can be taught in Music.
PE would be an awesome place for drill and practice for math facts, spelling words, etc.
Library is an awesome place for our students to learn a lot about different genres and text features.
Technology seems to have endless possibilities with the lessons and games and activities that are now available for students.
The comment that teacher's see the related areas as just a 45 minute break, it used to be 30 minutes, was very interesting to me. That's exactly as I saw it when I was in the classroom. Now that I travel I see how hard they really try to integrate the curriculum and how hard they work and the extra time they spend after school. I never realized this before. They take their work seriously.
ReplyDeleteThe arts connect with children that otherwise may not be good in academics. God gives everyone something they are good at. If the child is not good at academics they may not feel good about themselves because that's what is important to society. Maybe the arts are their thing. I had a little girl that couldn't read, write her name, or learn her numbers but boy could she draw. This gave her something to feel good about herself.
The arts are the easiest to integrate. It's also great for assessments. Instead of a paper pencil test they could create a powerpoint, make up a song, put on a play, or several other ways. This kind of assessment gives the children a way to internalize what they've learned in a way that is important and meaningful to them.
The arts need to be appreciated more. Just think of the world without music, art, and theatre. Children need to be surrounded by the arts and they need to do art that's meaningful to them.
The benefits of special areas are often forgotten. Activities that are usually used only in a special area setting can help students connect with traditional lessons. Special areas should continue to add core subject lessons into their curriculum, but the benefits of special area activities can also be experienced in the homeroom classroom.
ReplyDeleteThe education system. It's a funny thing. We teachers are given given a list of SPIs that we have to cover each year in order to prepare them for the ever important TCAP. Note how I did not say that we were given SPIs to prepare them to be productive citizens once they enter the working world. In addition to being held accountable for making sure everything is taught on time, we have to play the roles of nurse, shrink, electrician, (possibly the only positive) role model, bathroom inspector, etc etc etc. Somehwere along the way we have to also teach them some life skills, but let's not spend too much time on that because life skills is not on the test, right?! We are given less and less time to teach things, and therefore it can be difficult to have projects and other activities during regular class time that lets students make that important discovery that, hey...perhaps this stuff my crazy teacher teaches me may actually have some relevance to me life...and maybe, just maybe, i'm interested in it.
ReplyDeleteDue to the decreased time to do what we need to do in the classroom, it is important, no...crucial, that special area classes work hand-in-hand with the regular classroom teachers. Specials areas are a perfect way to support curriculum in ways that allows students to make those connections past the worksheets toward their lives, interests, and backgrounds.
Library classes allows students to see a wide assortment of literature they may not otherwise see. Unfortunately, going to the library is dropping to the bottom of the to-do-list now that students can play games on their iPods and rent movies at grocery store. Library is a wonderful way to integrate reading skills such as alphabetizing (which I now realize I don't know how to spell), parts of the book, the editing and publishing process, and brain-storming.
Music and Art are two classes that were incredibly important to me when I was in school. Music and Art may be the only classes some students succeed in. We must foster and strengthen students' self-confidence in these classes. Music and Art classes can be a wonderful and intersting way to discuss history and culture. Students can practice reading skills when learning about their use and history. Music and math can be integrated when discussing tempo and rhythm.
Regarding Technology class, it boggles my mind that some schools do not stress technology use. In today's world that becomes more dependent on technology each day, we must incorporate technology in the classroom. With the vast amount of educational web sites, computer programs, and other resources I'm sure I've never even heard of yet, what an inservice it would be not to give students this opportunity. It's wonderful when I hear my students tell me they did a computer activity with Susan relating to what I'm teaching them.
Gym class. Oh, gym. Clearly, schools are the only things reponsible for the obesity problem children are facing today. You know once students go home, they are given a wonderful assortment of fruits and veggies and then go on a briskful jog down the street each day. I love how we are told we have to make sure students do a certain amount of physical activity each day to get our kiddos in shape, but then Gym class is shorten to once or twice a week. I've heard Wesley and Gina talk about games they use to strengthen math skills. This is perfect!! If there is one class my students love without a doubt, it is Gym. If we can seize this opportunity to strengthen SPIs, then that is just the cherry on top of the education cake.
So to sum up, if we are going to make students "life-long learners," we need to help them make connectins between what they learn in class and their lives. Special area classes is a great way to make this happen. We're not making "while-in-school learners." On that note, I will end my education novel I have written. Thanks!
Eric Aguilar, 3rd grade teacher
The Arts can be used in multi-faceted ways to assist with the integration of content knowledge. Numerous geometric concepts such as tesselations, vertical, horizontal, and diagonal lines, can be taught in Art. PE could help to integrate concepts of force and motion, resistance, and using jump ropes or balls to facilitate the rote memorization of content area facts such as states within regions, addition/subtraction facts, etc. Music would be a great resource to assist with the instruction of sound. In particular the concepts of pitch and volume. The availability of tuning forks would be of help. Technology provides the platform for the integration of new and/or current resources for all content areas. Interactive math internet sites to be used with our ActivBoards, research engines to be used with science and social studies, and presentation programs to assist with reports and powerpoint presentations. The related arts are very important and are sometimes the only areas where some students find true success.
ReplyDeleteC. Brewer/3rd grade
First, I want to begin by saying BRAVO to Eric! I loved reading your post! (probably because I know it's all true!)
ReplyDeleteSecond, I want to give kudos to everyone because not only have you posted terrific ideas here, but I love how we all share/steal/borrow ideas every day.
My ideas for integrating our Encore subjects in to my regular curriculum include:
Art - I encourage students to draw, build, and or create book projects; Read biographies about famous artists; Work with patterns, geometry, etc.
Music - As Cindy stated, using tuning forks, rubber bands, containers of water, and various other materials we can explore sound (pitch, frequency, tone, etc.) Though I am not musical myself, I have a great appreciation for music and sometimes have students create songs (rhyme, repetition, poetry) on a certain topic. I also try to expose students to a variety of music during our morning & independent work.
Library - Madeline has been doing a great job of giving students a variety of research activities in her class. Even though I am becoming very "techy", I LOVE books and try to provide a variety of fiction and non-fiction books in my classroom library. We often pull out my baskets and review genres and point of view. Library skills are essential for those students headed to college (which I hope many of our student are) and I try to model how to research online and off.
P.E. - Knowing many students are in to at least one sport of some kind, I try to use sports analogies and idioms often. Even those students who are not "sporty" know the lingo. While studying angles and rotations in math, I have students get out of their seat and "act out" these concepts.
Technology - Many of my student-centered activities involve students interacting with a flipchart, powerpoint, iMovie and/or website that I've made or require students to create a project of their own. Our Activboards make presenting these projects a breeze. THANK YOU LINDA FOR GETTING US THE ACTIVBOARDS! A huge part of using technology is problem-solving and I try to let the students hear and/or see my thought process as I try to figure out a new program or solve a problem. Student groups are finishing up some literature circle projects this week and I am impressed with the level of their work. I wouldn't call it "art" per se, but activities like these are yet another way to allow students to use information they have to create new things.
I forgot to include my name! See my post above (9:54 pm). Sorry!
ReplyDeleteJoanna Hood, 5th Gr. Teacher
I believe that Music, Art, Physical Education, Technology, and Library skills are a chance for our students to expand their imaginations, work on fine motor skills, boost brain function, improve their moods, and excel where they otherwise may not.
ReplyDeleteI could talk all day about the importances of incorporating the "special areas" into my everyday in the classroom. I could even start my own blog on the issue. But, seeing as how I don't yet understand the concept of blogging, yet alone how I would possibly start one, I think I will just consider this a success.
I utilize music in several different ways, whether it is starting the day with classical music, learning about Memphis culture by introducing the blues, learning to keep the beat of the Chilhowee song (Yes, I had to purchase rhythm sticks.), looking up the history of the National Anthem, using a song as a memorization technique or having to sing one of my favorite '80's songs among the groans of a long day, music is a great energizer, calmer, historian, and teacher.
Tiffany Holmes 4th grade
It would be great with we had a jump rope team, and our students could work on learning their multiplication facts, states & capitals, etc. to movement and music. Technology could also be used to help learn their facts.
ReplyDeleteThe arts reach students that may otherwise not open up and share their creativity with expression through Art, Tech, Music and PE. The students who participate in the Arts are already connected with other subject matters. You cannot teach the Arts without teaching history, science, Math, Reading etc.
ReplyDeleteWith a little creativity, there are numerous ways to incorporate general education into the special areas. As others have mentioned, geometry is one easy concept to work into Art. You could also work in junction with in class writing assignments by designing book covers, and illustrations to go along with students’ personal writing. Art classes could also discuss books and illustrators who have been awarded a Caldecott Award. As with Art, Music could also complement the study of history by discussing different painting, sculptures, and songs written during specific time periods. Discussions could be held as to how historical events influenced these things. Science could be tied into music by discussing how sound is made (vibrations), different interments and how each sound is different. There are also many songs that could be used in all areas of study.
ReplyDeleteLibrary can easily incorporate standards by discussing genre, story structure, research, and reading books that are directly related to specific curriculum. Technology can use all types of computer programs and websites to further understanding of specific concepts and standards as well as research. In addition, students could publish their finished writing. There are also Webquests that go along with specific standards that allow students to work together on projects using the Internet. PE would be good for learning and practicing math facts and spelling words.
The Arts are an important part of our curriculum. We all, obviously, utilize them throughout our lessons and all areas of the curriculum. I try to utilize art, drama, music, technology, and physical activity throughout the day!
ReplyDeleteEric... right on!!!
Michelle Caffrey 5th grade
ART: We are in the process of creating our annual pictorial time line for Social Studies. Both of my classes submit events that we study during the year and, we choose the ones that are the most important to depict.After we combine the events and put them in order,we illustrate them and then display them in the hallway outside my classroom.
ReplyDeleteIt seems as if everything I would have liked to say has already been said. I think that the majority of our staff are all on the same accord. We, being the wonderful professionals that we are all take efforts to incorporate the arts in our teaching. An example of using Music in Social Studies is to go back and listen to or sing songs that are apart of our country ( We shall overcome, National Anthem, etc...).
ReplyDeleteYoshan Hackler 5th grade