> In the elementary, visual art is needed so the classroom teacher
> can have a planning period --so I am assuming she will be replaced.
> -Judy
In my system...there simply is not enough time of the day for all grades to
get art, thus 7th and 10th grade do not get it. Students have not been
happy about that, nor parents. Considering all the crafts and in classroom
artsy things that Kindergarten and first grade get, I'd rather see that 7th
and 10th get art than miss out. My preferences come not from believing that
K & 1st grades do not gain value from art, but I deplore the "inference of
practicality" that it matters less for 7th and the 10th graders. I do get
the feeling though, that the importance for the two elementary teachers to
be guaranteed their prep time...which art, phy ed, and general music provide
them, is the main concern.
I think part of the thrust and push for art at the elementary level perhaps
has been a disservice to all art instruction, and that is that students
"enjoy" art so much. Well...of course that is good, but "enjoy" from the
perspective of a nonartist/nonarts' person/administration/system equates art
as "play time" -as though nothing ESSENTIAL is happening educationally that
makes art "vital." This notion lays a foundation to believe that kids get
to a certain age and play ought to become less important, and it is now time
to get down to serious work. For young artists, that means its time to put
the crayons away.
I am pleased after finishing up our second year....that I have received many
comments and compliments that it is obvious the students are "learning" a
great deal. I have made it a priority this year to plaster student's art
works, K-12 on nearly every inch of hallway space outside my art room, and
keep show cases filled. We have to have what is accomplished in an art room
out there for others to see.
That kids ought to put away their crayons as they mature....I think, spurs
lingering afterthoughts, and is why some protest when "Johnny" might be kept
off the honor roll because of a poor grade in art. I'm sure many have had
another faculty member, or a parent come and try to reason with the art
teacher to re-consider giving Johnny a higher grade because after all, "its
only art!"
I think we need to be discerning to insist some important things are being
learned amongst the elementary kids...and be wise to hear and insert dialog
where praise for the kids having so much fun in art is supplanted with the
language of art that is being learned. A language that will be important
not only to other academic development, but to the well-being whole of the
individual that feeds the need for the student to feel learning had meaning
and purpose.
Its obvious when I read this....that administrators for the most part, have
no art background whatsoever...and operate from errant assumptions. Their
concerns for budget override all else.
I think....the art teacher that will have to prove him/herself invaluable in
the future to a "budget concerned/driven system" will have to: get hold of
greater understanding of technology; learn to write grants to acquire better
and newer computers and software for their room; and have a knowledge of
such that pales the other faculty members.
I have experienced over the years genuine surprise from other faculty
members, (and I imagine so have many of you!), to find that as art teachers
we may show ourselves: intelligent, eloquent of speech, possessing of
leadership qualities, possessors of knowledge and content that others wish
they had (such as technology). Some will go so far as to express that
surprise, and reveal they thought art was just about making "pretty
pictures."
Ever sit in a class scheduling committee, especially block scheduling, and
hear the academic educators make the known quite clear? That their classes
take priority! Well...we know state standards have to be met....I simply
don't think such has to be supplemented with pompous arrogance and
unwarranted pride! Protect your jobs! Protect your futures! Stay one
step ahead of everyone else...be a crusader.
-Larry
the "Artsmentor"
http://www.artsmentor.org
