Example 3

I believe that children who are introduced to the arts at an early age develop an appreciation for all art forms. They are able to make connections between the arts, learning, and their daily lives. Art can facilitate learning by making a connection to it.  Art becomes relevant when we personalize it and give it meaning. I would like to extend knowledge and build connections in all curricular areas by exposing my students to a variety of art forms. Realistically speaking, this is an awfully big piece of the pie. I would like to begin this endeavor by focusing on paintings and sculptures. As I organize and refine my teaching units I would like to expand the arts used to include dance, theatre, and music.

So that I do not become overwhelmed, I thought the best place to begin would be with extending the units and themes that I currently use. After introducing a unit of study, I would incorporate the paintings or sculptures by displaying a picture of the art work. I would encourage an open discussion, inviting the children to share their thoughts and feelings about the particular piece of art. In addition, I would like to encourage an understanding of why a particular piece of art is relevant to the subject we are studying. I would give my students the opportunity to be creative in their own way. If our unit of study was the weather, the children could create their own paintings, sculptures, or movement to recreate weather conditions. I am presently using drawing, music, and movement in my classroom. I hope to make additional connections by adding the actual artwork. 

For the introduction of visual arts in my classroom. University Prints, Boston has poster size and journal size prints of actual artwork. The large prints would be purchased for display in my classroom. The smaller 5x7 prints would be purchased for each individual child to be bound in a personal art journal.

Some units to incorporate this type of artwork would be:

 Weather/Clouds:

Geometric Shapes: 

Animal Adaptations:

In addition, I plan to contact: Cincinnati Art Museum Department of Education

Program: Off-The-Walls

The Off-The-Walls program consists of five thematic touring exhibitions containing original works of art and high quality replicas. These exhibits are on loan to schools for a three-week period. Docent presentations on the works may be requested.

My long-term goal is to include music, dance, and theatre as a part of my regular education classroom. By adding each of these modes of instruction, my classroom will be all inclusive of the arts.

Resources to incorporate these additional activities:

Association for the Advancement of Arts Education (AAAE)

African-American Drum and Dance Ensemble, INC.

Children’s Museum of Cincinnati

MadCap Productions

www.madcappuppets.com

MadCap Productions has many resources available to schools. Program options include:

Puppet Construction

Storytelling/intro. To Puppet Theatre

Playwriting/Playwright in Residence

Each of these programs involves an in school residency period of one to two weeks. 

One half or full day workshops are also available. These workshops include puppet manipulation, storytelling, and creative drama. 

I am very excited to take on these new challenges. I am confident that my students will gain a better understanding and appreciation of a variety of art disciplines. This knowledge will only help to prepare them to continue the connections between the arts and their academic journeys.