Reflection 2: The Visual Arts

What have I learned visual art - from both the text and class? 

In class we focused on learning and defining the elements of visual arts. 

We focused on 6 elements:

Line            Shape         Color

Value          Texture       Space

I learned that it is important to understand all of these elements and have experiences them yourself in order to properly teach them to your students. I found that when learning the elements of art I really enjoyed listening to classical musics. I really felt inspired as I listened to the different melodies. It is also very important not to rush art projects in a class, this may cause the students to be unsatisfied with their work. 

The text was also full of great information on how to teach visual arts. I really liked Blooms Higher Order of thinking. I agree with his theory that the goal of higher thinking is to cause students to think beyond memory or literal level and coordinate higher level thinking skills to solve problems. Another section in the text I enjoyed was the 3rd building block of using art as a teaching tool. I enjoyed the two pronged lesson plan.

So What does that mean for me as a teacher? As a person?

As a future teacher, I feel that it will be very important for me to integrate the arts in to the other standard curriculum. I was shown many examples that art can benefit students, so why wouldn't I use them? It says in the text "art is hands on, it activates aesthetic senses" I believe that using art to activate aesthetic senses will increase progress in other subject areas.

 Now What– How will I prepare to effectively teach my future students? How has my perspective changed? How will this change the way I teach my future students?

I am actually pretty nervous about how I will prepare to effectively teach my future students. I feel like I cannot read enough out of the textbooks, or write down enough of what all of my professors say. I guess that is is okay to be nervous though it is only week 2! I feel that the best way that I can prepare to teach is to do what my professors ask of me as well as put in 150% effort into my field experiences, how will I learn if I don't try? 

My perspective on integrating the arts into curriculum subjects has really change. The first time we met in class I didn't think it was that important to a student's development. But as I read the chapter and listened to our discussion in class I will be using art as many ways as I can in my classroom.