Arts Rationale Paper
4/18/2011
Mr. Brad Scott
Board Member at King Chavez Neighborhood of Schools
Dear Mr. Scott:
It has come to my attention that you have concerns with integrating arts into the curriculum. I would like to take this time to show you what I have collected along the way of learning more about how important integrating the arts can be and the positive impact it will have on any classroom and school as a whole. We have been looking for something to help raise test scores, to help students become critical thinkers and to allow for each student to grow as individuals and be prepared in this competitive society. Integrating arts into the curriculum will be our ticket to getting all of these things accomplished. Right now, we have art class isolated as a separate subject. Although I do understand that we should be thankful that the district hasn’t cut our arts program, we should be taking advantage of this by trying to use the arts as a process to connect teaching subjects in the classroom. Teaching through the arts not only supports a positive learning environment, but it will address student-centered learning and will impact the diverse learning needs of each student. I will explain and give examples of significant instructional strategies that are based on practicing integrating the arts along with culturally responsive pedagogy. I will also discuss how students learning styles and multiple perspectives are encouraged. Lastly, I will show evidence of academic and cognitive outcomes of a lesson I have taught using the arts and how the instruction was linked to state standards. My new knowledge and understanding of integrating the arts and multiple intelligence approaches to classroom learning impact my every day teaching and has enabled me to take my teaching to a higher level. As I’ve read in the book, Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom by Thomas Armstrong (2009):
Multiple Intelligence theory makes its greatest contribution to education by
Mr. Brad Scott
Board Member at King Chavez Neighborhood of Schools
Dear Mr. Scott:
It has come to my attention that you have concerns with integrating arts into the curriculum. I would like to take this time to show you what I have collected along the way of learning more about how important integrating the arts can be and the positive impact it will have on any classroom and school as a whole. We have been looking for something to help raise test scores, to help students become critical thinkers and to allow for each student to grow as individuals and be prepared in this competitive society. Integrating arts into the curriculum will be our ticket to getting all of these things accomplished. Right now, we have art class isolated as a separate subject. Although I do understand that we should be thankful that the district hasn’t cut our arts program, we should be taking advantage of this by trying to use the arts as a process to connect teaching subjects in the classroom. Teaching through the arts not only supports a positive learning environment, but it will address student-centered learning and will impact the diverse learning needs of each student. I will explain and give examples of significant instructional strategies that are based on practicing integrating the arts along with culturally responsive pedagogy. I will also discuss how students learning styles and multiple perspectives are encouraged. Lastly, I will show evidence of academic and cognitive outcomes of a lesson I have taught using the arts and how the instruction was linked to state standards. My new knowledge and understanding of integrating the arts and multiple intelligence approaches to classroom learning impact my every day teaching and has enabled me to take my teaching to a higher level. As I’ve read in the book, Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom by Thomas Armstrong (2009):
Multiple Intelligence theory makes its greatest contribution to education by
Bibliography: Armstrong, T. (2009). Multiple Intelligences in the classroom (3rd edition). Alexandria, VA: ASCD. Berriz, B. R. (2000). Raising children’s cultural voices. Rethinking Schools. http://www.rethinkingschools.org/specialreports/bilingual/bil144.shtml Goldberg, M. (2006). Integrating the arts: An approach to teaching and learning in Multicultural and multilingual settings (3rd ed.). New York: Pearson. Lake, R. (1990). An Indian father’s plea. Teacher Magazine. http://www.msubillings.edu/COEFaculty/Hobbs/WindWolf.htm