Integrating Art in the Classroom
Art is an outstanding tool for teaching not only developmental
skills, but also academic subjects such as math, science, and literacy. The
most effective learning takes place when children do something related to the topic
they are learning. When children study any given concept, they learn it better
and retain it longer if they do an art activity that reinforces that learning.
This information has been recognized by teachers since the time of Confucius,
when he said: "I hear and I forget.
I see and I remember; I do and I understand."
Art &
Literacy
Art activities are a great way to promote literacy and
language development. Children who draw pictures of stories they have read
improve their reading comprehension, and are motivated to read new material.
Art tools introduce pre-writing experiences, as early learners grasp tools that
later help them hold a pencil for writing. Art develops expressive and
reflective skills that enhance writing, and also promotes print awareness,
spatial relation skills, visual literacy, and verbal creativity.
Art &
Math
Art can be looked at through the lens of mathematics. Young
children can work with simple collage materials and beads to introduce numbers,
positive and negative space, classification, and sequencing and pattern
recognition. Tangrams can be brought in, and art journals can become creative
number or shape books. "Math is not just about numbers, formulas and
logic, math is also about structure, symmetry, shape and beauty," says
University of Colorado math professor Carla Farsi. "Conversely, art is not
only about emotion, color and aesthetics, but also about rhythm, patterns and
problem solving."
Enjoy,
Nora Sierra
Early Childhood Assistant Principal
Grade 1 Teacher
Discovery School
(504)221-7790
(504)221-7791(fax)
(504)9500-1720(school cell)
(504)9985-0732(mobile)
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