Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Art MP
Art MP
historical happenings. It has been utilized for almost as long as man has walked this earth,
dating back to prehistoric times when the cave dwellers drew on the walls of caves. Today art
can be seen almost everywhere you look. We view it in our homes as decoration, in the
architecture of buildings, splashed on billboards along the highways, in the arrangement of food
on a plate in a restaurant, or in books and magazines. In fact, there are very few places art
cannot be found, and because of this, it is important to understand art in its various forms and
learn to use it in a meaningful way, (Wachowiak, 2010). The lesson plan submitted with this
essay is an example of how students were able to express the warmth of the sun and the coolness
of the moon in a creative way after studying about the sun and moon in science class that week.
Whole books have been written proclaiming the virtues of art and its influence on
society. A convincing argument states that it promotes higher thinking skills and processes, such
as interpretation and synthesis (Wachowiak, 2010; Lazo & Smith, J. 2014). According to the
most recently revised standards, these skills are emphasized as being among the top priorities
across America today. It also adds a unique way to communicate and express understanding, as
well as adding a dimension to learning outside of the more dominantly used verbal or
mathematical approach, (Wachowiak, 2010). In the lesson submitted with this essay, students
used art as a method to communicate the warmth of the sun and the coolness of the moon.
Integrating art into the curriculum is an excellent way to allow students to express their
learning in a creative medium, while also help them to succeed, (“Evidence for Arts Integration,”
2018). It has been recorded that students perform better all around when art is integrated into
academic learning, (Sterman, 2018). Academic tests scores are not the only noticeable marker of
success in schools that integrate art. Teachers and principles also note that student attitude and
engagement is also increased when art is incorporated into a learning experience. Lastly, it
allows students to skills, such as interpretation and synthesis, to be used across the disciplines
instead of confined to one, (Marshall, 2014). The lesson plan submitted with this essay shows
these components. The students had been learning about the sun, moon, and stars in science
class. The art lesson plan went nicely with the lesson to depict a warm sun and cool moon. The
students attitudes were great, and they all scored an 88% or better on their performance
Teaching art in a school setting requires a great deal of organization, preparation, and
effective classroom management skills. Being organized and well prepared “maximizes learning
time and minimizes down time distributing supplies and clean-up” (Wachowiak, p. 27).
Motivation is another essential element that needs to be incorporated into the lesson in order to
ensure success and quality artwork. Collaboration is one way students are able to generate ideas
and get motivated, (Crosby, 2018). The lesson plan submitted with this paper was well prepared
and organized so that the students had what they needed for the lesson without having to wander
around the classroom. Also, the students were able to collaborate as they drew their pictures, and
often gave each other ideas when using various colors and designing the shapes around the sun
and moon. The result was an very orderly class, engaged and happy students, and terrific art to
Crosby, C. (2018). Motivating Middle Schoolers. Arts & Activities, 163(4), 8. Retrieved from
https://egan.ezproxy.uas.alaska.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?dir
ect=true&db=eft&AN=128947683&login.asp&site=ehost-live
Art-Based Learning across the Curriculum. Studies In Art Education: A Journal Of Issues
Wachowiak, F., & Clements, R. (2010). Emphasis art: A qualitative art program for elementary
and middle schools (9th ed.). Boston: Pearson/ Allyn and Bacon.
Evidence for Arts Integration. (2018). Educational Leadership, 76(4), 8. Retrieved from
https://egan.ezproxy.uas.alaska.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?dir
ect=true&db=eft&AN=133489085&site=ehost-live
Sterman, C. (2018). Arts Integration Improves School Culture and Student Success: Art infuses
joy and student voice into daily instruction. Principal, 97( 3), 30–31. Retrieved from
https://egan.ezproxy.uas.alaska.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?dire
ct=true&db=eft&AN=127521656&site=ehost-live
Lazo, V. G., & Smith, J. (2014). Developing thinking skills through the visual: An
https://doi-org.ezproxy.uas.alaska.edu/10.1386/eta.10.1.99pass:[_]1