To start with, I currently work at Young Scholars Central PA charter school, and I was assigned to teach four different art clubs. Every week, I was stuck with the lesson plans for all four clubs. Even five minutes ago, I was thinking about what kind of lessons I should prepare for my clubs. As I was thinking about my clubs, this week's reading instantly drew my attention. When I started reading the article, “Contemporary Practice in the Elementary Classroom: a Study of Change” by Anne Thulson, a major question came in to my mind. The article states that elementary school is not too early too early to introduce contemporary art. I personally believe that whatever it is that students are learning, basic comes first before learning higher level materials. Even in art, I am not saying that contemporary art is the higher level for art, but I believe basic expression and design principles gives the outline to think more creatively and provide broader ways to express their feelings. Basically, I personally think that basics in art gives more choices of making art and gives more structure in the body of art.
The article also starts with the list of reasons why art educators are avoiding to follow the contemporary art curriculum. The author stated that she saw an evidence that elementary students are capable enough to comprehend and respond to contemporary art. I still had a doubt that this curriculum would work on such young students, but as I read the article, I started to think differently. I thought this curriculum could build team work, creative thinking and a casual way to express their feelings. I liked how this curriculum shows students art can be in multiple forms. I also felt that this curriculum leads students to build their interest in making art as a group. In typical classrooms, teachers lead the students, but with this curriculum, I felt that the entire class were leading the class by themselves. I was surprised that such young students were able to understand the concept and speak for their own. More over, I liked how this curriculum enhanced student's interest in classroom projects.
Before reading the article, I had many questions about "the right art education" and " the best curriculums for students".This article was a new way of looking at the art education, and sort of an answer for what I was seeking for. I realized how important the curriculum is in classrooms, and how such young students are capable of understanding and participate in the contemporary curriculum. I also realized how limited I can be in terms of being an educator.
The article also starts with the list of reasons why art educators are avoiding to follow the contemporary art curriculum. The author stated that she saw an evidence that elementary students are capable enough to comprehend and respond to contemporary art. I still had a doubt that this curriculum would work on such young students, but as I read the article, I started to think differently. I thought this curriculum could build team work, creative thinking and a casual way to express their feelings. I liked how this curriculum shows students art can be in multiple forms. I also felt that this curriculum leads students to build their interest in making art as a group. In typical classrooms, teachers lead the students, but with this curriculum, I felt that the entire class were leading the class by themselves. I was surprised that such young students were able to understand the concept and speak for their own. More over, I liked how this curriculum enhanced student's interest in classroom projects.
Before reading the article, I had many questions about "the right art education" and " the best curriculums for students".This article was a new way of looking at the art education, and sort of an answer for what I was seeking for. I realized how important the curriculum is in classrooms, and how such young students are capable of understanding and participate in the contemporary curriculum. I also realized how limited I can be in terms of being an educator.
No comments:
Post a Comment