Arts = Smarts! Research has shown that the arts are vital because they provide a critical link to student engagement and higher cognitive functioning. While many teachers use the arts as a starting point or as a wrap-up activity, this collection shows how the arts can be fully integrated into curriculum planning, formative assessment and summative evaluation. Browse this collection and find examples to help you plan how to more fully integrate the arts into your classroom curriculum.
Included Here:
- Articles (4)
- Lesson Plans (1)
Articles
Community Arts Projects
Kindergarten teachers provide lessons that help integrate art into all aspects of a neighborhood community thematic unit and includes a comprehensive booklist that can be used for a shoe study.
Jazz Arts and Nat King Cole
Integrating the life and music of Nat King Cole in the curriculum is one way Jennifer helps her students make a personal connection to that turbulent time in our country's history.
The "Art" of Meaningful Integration
The arts not only supplement, but are a viable ally for learning and motivating across the curriculum. Whether it's using musical instruments to demonstrate different punctuation marks or drawing out vocabulary words instead of copying them from the dictionary, the arts should be an integral component in classroom instruction.
Saving the 3Rs with Arts Integration
For struggling readers and writers, particularly English Language Learners, drawing upon students' interests in the visual arts and music often provides meaningful hooks to learning and free expression of ideas.
Lesson Plans
The Art of Storytelling
Sandra integrates the arts into her curriculum with a storytelling lesson plan to help her students' gain confidence in their listening, reading and public speaking abilities.
