2016 January

Our school uses a modified version of the common core standards from the United States (never going to call it America again after a very interesting chat with a man from Chile but that is another post). I can’t say I am terribly excited about the common core but as a dear friend told me, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!”

My father is an artist. I grew up seeing, analyzing, criticizing, and loving the art of great western artists from Monet back to the Limbourg brothers. 

My husband is a music educator. I listen to, discuss, and experience great music from all cultures and time periods. He has shown me that children are vastly more capable in the area of the arts than the syllabus puts forth. In fact, children are brimming with creativity and enthusiasm in this area, and we as teachers need to address this. 

“More standards?” I hear you wail. NO! I am not saying more standards – students need to participate in discussions, and ask questions according to our Language Arts standards; they need visual literacy skills in our heavily visual age according to our ICT standards – this is an idea for differentiation and a way to reach those students who are visual learners. Seeing great works of art AND understanding them should not be an activity and skill of the few. I never want to hear the statement, “I don’t know much about art, but I know what I like.”

So where are the Orff and Schulwerk of the art world? Where is the Kodally of sculpture? I can’t find them – maybe M.C.Gillis? Here are a few links and images that have got me thinking about this again. I have been thinking about this on and off for 10 years since my teacher accreditation (the creative arts subject course was my favorite of the degree) but haven’t put it into practice. Now is the time.

Elements of Art and Principles of Design – Middle School website

Art Theory – Pinterest Board

Visual Thinking Strategies – great website that could be used – more art appreciation

Research on the benefits of art appreciation