At the end of the year , we completed a survey about the impact of Arts Integration in our classrooms . Improved behavior during arts integrated lessons , increased student engagement , meaningful collaboration between students , and increased participation were the most commonly listed positive aspects of Arts Integration . We also saw students reaching higher levels of Bloom ’ s Taxonomy because they were creating and engaging with the subject matter ; whether it was a dance , or tableaux , they were working with the information , instead of simply trying to recall it . One of our teachers noted that her ESOL students were less afraid to speak , and were increasing their vocabularies . All of us noticed that our students ’ confidence and quality of work increased .
Arts Integration also impacted us as teachers . One teacher said , “ it has given me a new outlook on teaching ”. Another said , “ It has brought back the fun and excitement to teaching ”. Lesson planning became less of a chore , and more fun and exciting as we implemented the strategies we were learning . And , like our students , we began to collaborate more often . It enriched our work lives , our relationships , and our teaching strategies .
Exciting things continue on the horizon , as we have just received grant money to train ALL of our K-3 teachers in art integration for early literacy . The possibilities seem endless . Currently we have only six teachers who are fully trained . But , soon creativity is going to flow through the hallways of our school , and into the lives and minds of all of our students , instead of just six classrooms . That is exciting . That is transformative .
Beth Morris has been teaching art at Clarkdale Elementary , in Austell , Georgia for five years . She is the Arts Integration team lead , and is a firm believer in the power of the arts to change lives . A native of Ohio , she graduated from Marietta College , with a Bachelor in Studio Arts . It is her passion to infuse art into the curriculum , and the curriculum into her art room .
STEAMed Magazine
36
January 2017 Edition