Art

Art is any expression of human thought, belief, or emotion, as well as a record of

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

assessments and the written test in science class.

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

show for it.

 References

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

Marshall, J. (2014). Transdisciplinarity and Art Integration: Toward a New Understanding of

Art-Based Learning across the Curriculum. Studies In Art Education: A Journal Of Issues

And Research In Art Education, 55(2), 105.

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

a/r/tographical journey. ​International Journal of Education through Art​, ​10​(1), 99–116.

https://doi-org.ezproxy.uas.alaska.edu/10.1386/eta.10.1.99pass:[_]1