Start of the Semester:
1. How do you envision using art in your classroom?
I envision using art in my classroom as expression, decoration, and an activity. Every child is unique and expresses his or her feelings in their own way. For some students, art will be a way to express themselves. I believe that every child deserves to have their work on display (if they wish). Many children love to make different types of art and adding these to the classroom also serves as wonderful decorations. Lastly, I think that art can be an activity students can do quietly and independently when needed (i.e. during read aloud).
2. What do you know about integrated learning / integration?
I think that because students learn in different ways it is essential to bring in elements from other curriculum areas together in different ways. In our science course last semester, we learned how to integrate different disciplines into science.
3. Rate your comfort level in making art, and discuss.
Uneasy 1 2 3 4 5 Comfortable
I have never really been an art person and I'm rather embarrassed about my lack of artistic ability. My art skills are extremely basic - I am pretty
much limited to stick figures. Oh, and I recently discovered that I can draw Captain America's shield.
4. Rate your comfort level in analyzing and talking about art, and discuss.
Uneasy 1 2 3 4 5 Comfortable
Yikes! I know hardly anything about analyzing or talking about art. My best friend is an art major, but I know basically nothing about how to analyze or discuss.
End of the Semester:
1. How do you envision using art in your classroom?
At the beginning of the semester I envisioned using art in my classroom as expression, decoration, and an activity. After the course, I still agree with those ideas only I am much more equipped to do so. I still believe that every child is unique and expresses his or her feelings in their own way.
2. What do you know about integrated learning / integration?
Now that I have completed this course, I feel that I am confident in various techniques on how to integrate art into the classroom. I feel that integration allows for a unique form of learning and assessment. While some topics and units are more difficult to integrate than others, I am walking out of this course with ideas that I did not previously possess.
3. Rate your comfort level in making art, and discuss.
Uneasy 1 2 3 4 5 Comfortable
Despite all the art work we have made in this course, I am still not very confident in my ability to make art. However, that does not mean that I have a negative attitude towards art. It is crucial for me to encourage and positively encourage my students in all their activities – art included.
4. Rate your comfort level in analyzing and talking about art, and discuss.
Uneasy 1 2 3 4 5 Comfortable
Through my work in this course, I feel that I am comfortable talking analyzing and talking about art using the VTS method. Our own experiences with a VTS session and allowing us to lead our own session have given my confidence to use this method in my classroom.
At the beginning of the semester I envisioned using art in my classroom as expression, decoration, and an activity. After the course, I still agree with those ideas only I am much more equipped to do so. I still believe that every child is unique and expresses his or her feelings in their own way.
2. What do you know about integrated learning / integration?
Now that I have completed this course, I feel that I am confident in various techniques on how to integrate art into the classroom. I feel that integration allows for a unique form of learning and assessment. While some topics and units are more difficult to integrate than others, I am walking out of this course with ideas that I did not previously possess.
3. Rate your comfort level in making art, and discuss.
Uneasy 1 2 3 4 5 Comfortable
Despite all the art work we have made in this course, I am still not very confident in my ability to make art. However, that does not mean that I have a negative attitude towards art. It is crucial for me to encourage and positively encourage my students in all their activities – art included.
4. Rate your comfort level in analyzing and talking about art, and discuss.
Uneasy 1 2 3 4 5 Comfortable
Through my work in this course, I feel that I am comfortable talking analyzing and talking about art using the VTS method. Our own experiences with a VTS session and allowing us to lead our own session have given my confidence to use this method in my classroom.