Tyquan Black

11/21/13
Arte 217
Dr. Chang
Arts Integration
Arts integration is defined as a method to teaching and learning that uses the fine and
performing arts as primary pathways to learning. It takes time to build awareness, understanding,
and commitment among members of the school community. Arts integration holds much
potential for the classroom because the power of art to engage students in experiential learning,
which is the process for making meaning directly from the learning experience as opposed to
academic learning, the study of a subject without the direct learning from experiencing that
subject. Many states base school accreditation on standardized testing scores, so teachers today
find it increasingly difficult to find the freedom, time, and resources to integrate the arts into the
classroom.
The goal of arts integration is to increase knowledge of a general subject area while
simultaneously fostering a greater understanding and appreciation of the fine and performing
arts. The John F. Kennedy Center defines arts integration as "an approach to teaching in which
students construct and demonstrate understanding through an art form. Students engage in a
creative process which connects an art form and another subject and meets evolving objectives in
both." (Silverstein) Because the arts address multiple intelligences, they provide a way for
certain students to enter academic areas that they may have otherwise found difficult or off-

putting. Not one student learns the same, so arts integration can aid some in better understanding
being a visual learner. Integrating the arts into a class increases student engagement and
motivation, and also increases student achievement. Art integration helps develop critical
thinking skills, decision making and brings out the creativity of the student. It teaches children
life skills such as developing an informed perception; learning to solve problems and make
decisions; building self-confidence and self-discipline; developing the ability to imagine what
might be; and accepting responsibility to complete tasks from start to finish. Working in groups
helps nurture important values, like team-building skills; respecting alternative viewpoints; and
appreciating and being aware of different cultures and traditions.
Arts integration supports students learning for k-6 by helping the students feel better
about themselves through compliments and encouragement. When a student feels comfortable
with him, he/she will more than likely participate more and will attempt things they normally
wouldnt do. The students can express themselves more freely through art.
I think arts integration in the k-6 grade curriculum is a great idea. It provides a good way
for the students to better understand different subjects. I always enjoyed doing hands on things
with my school work. I learned fractions better in math while having something in front of me to
have a real life picture to relate to. Throughout the class we did numerous individual as well as
group projects. In the beginning of the class everyone made collages to tell a little about
themselves which I think is a great way to begin a class simply because it gives the student a
chance to be creative and introduce themselves in their own way. We also did a project where
we told about our best and worst qualities. It was a good way of really thinking about yourself
and what you could possibly do to improve in those areas.

Group-collaborated projects help connects to the goals of arts integration by getting the

students to work together and listen to others ideas. For the groups to be successful the students
will have to compromise on their ideas and decide which idea is better. By working in groups the
students will learn how to work with others and will present their project to the class getting
them used to talking in front of people.
In the A217 group- collaborative projects I learned how to think outside the box and more
creative. We looked at pictures and made stories based on what we saw in the pictures and the
different perspectives we all have. We learned how to make tangrams and make stories from our
pictures we created. My most favorite of all the group projects would be the puppets at the end of
the class. It showed a lot of different ideas and allowed each group to be as creative as we
wanted. I was a fun experience getting to listen to the different stories told through the puppets in
the puppet show. Lastly I learned that it doesnt matter how much work someone does in a group
if they are all getting the same grade and that it is very childish to complain to the teacher about
someone not doing their part to assist the group.
My definition of arts integration is including visual aids, dances, theater and different
music to incorporate into the classroom to help teach some of the core subjects. It helps majority
of the students learn better and actually comprehend what they are being taught.

Works Cited

Donahue, David M., and Jennifer Stuart. Artful Teaching: Integrating the Arts for Understanding
across the Curriculum, K-8. New York: Teachers College, 2010. Print
Silverstein, Lynne. "Defining Arts Integration." n. page. Web. 3 Dec. 2013.
<http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/~/media/ArtsEdge/LessonPrintables/articles/artsintegration/DefiningArtsIntegration.pdf>.
"Steps to Art Early Childhood Arts Education Initiative." n. page. Web. 3 Dec. 2013.
<http://www.americansforthearts.org/get_involved/advocacy/funding_resources/default_
005.asp>.