The Integration of Art in the Elementary Curriculum ✓ Solved

The integration of art into the standard core subjects taught in elementary school is an effective way to capture and retain the attention of students. Creative teaching methods using art will help add enjoyment and increase interest in the subjects. In turn, students will be more likely to desire to learn more. This desire will motivate the student to continue the learning process. Keeping a child’s interest and provoking the thirst for more knowledge is a superb way to ensure students will want to continue the education process.

Art can be successfully incorporated into every aspect of elementary education. Art can be easily added into reading instruction by either reading a story to the children or having children read a story orally in class, depending upon the age group, and asking them to illustrate an action from the story. Providing children with a coloring sheet and having them color pictures of items beginning with a certain letter also helps them enjoy learning phonics. Language arts can be enhanced by art by using a work of art such as a painting. The children can be asked to list as many adjectives as possible to describe the artwork. They can also be asked to list all the nouns in the painting. Another use of art in language arts could be to have the children draw pictures illustrating their vocabulary words. A third way to incorporate art would be to have them create sentences containing certain language components, such as nouns, verbs, etc., representing an illustration.

Math is usually a distressing subject for most elementary students. However, with the inclusion of art, some of the apprehension can be eradicated. One idea to incorporate art into mathematics is to give each student a small bag of M&M candies and have them sort the candies into groups by color. The children could then create a line graph to show how many candies of each color is in their bag by coloring the correct number of boxes on the graph. In addition, the dreaded fractions could be taught by creating a colorful pie chart to represent the fraction.

Science can benefit from using art by having the children create drawings of animals in the different classifications such as birds, mammals, reptiles, etc. The structure of the earth is also more interesting and easier to understand if learned by creating a model on paper and painting the individual layers to show their distinction. Painting a model of the solar system would also help children to understand the arrangement of the planets and show their relationship to the sun.

Social studies can sometimes be a monotonous subject for elementary students. Art can help generate interest in social studies by adding an element of hands-on experience to the subject matter. Students can color maps to illustrate many different concepts such as the time zones of the United States, population density, and the locations of the continents and oceans of the world. Art can also be used in the study of the numerous cultures. Children can be asked to choose any culture studied in class and create an artifact from that culture on paper with pencils or paints. The importance of art, as well as music and other non-core subjects, is often overlooked in our public school systems today due to the lack of available funds and the shortage of qualified teachers.

The bright side to this situation is that elementary teachers have the ability to incorporate some degree of art into the classroom with a little effort and creativity. The exposure to art, including its importance and many uses, can be invaluable to the students in their later education and throughout their lives. Educators should encourage the study and inclusion of art in all core subjects of elementary school.

Paper For Above Instructions

Art education is crucial for developing a holistic curriculum that fosters various skills in elementary school students. By integrating art into core education subjects, teachers can enhance engagement and learning outcomes. This paper examines effective methods for integrating art into reading, language arts, math, science, and social studies while emphasizing its benefits in fostering creativity, critical thinking, and emotional expression.

One of the most beneficial strategies is integrating art into reading instruction. For example, storytelling can be enhanced by asking students to illustrate scenes from the book. This not only simplifies comprehension but also allows children to express their interpretation of the story creatively. When they recreate key moments through illustrations, their connection to the narrative deepens (Eisner, 2002). Additionally, phonics can be taught through arts by asking students to draw objects that start with a specific letter, thereby making learning more interactive and enjoyable.

In language arts, art can play a pivotal role in enhancing vocabulary and grammar skills. Children can analyze paintings and list adjectives to describe them, motivating them to think critically about word choices. Furthermore, drawing pictures that correlate with their vocabulary words allows students to visually express language concepts (Catterall, 2002). This hands-on approach solidifies understanding and memory retention, vital for the foundational years of language development.

Math instruction often presents challenges; integrating art is a strategy that can alleviate student anxiety. For instance, sorting M&M candies by color and then graphing the results employs a kinesthetic approach, allowing students to visualize numerical data. This technique not only supports comprehension of mathematical concepts, including graphing and fractions but also nurtures fine motor skills (Dawson, 2014). Similar approaches, such as creating mosaics or geometric designs, can reinforce spatial awareness and shape recognition.

Science, too, benefits from incorporating artistic elements into the curriculum. When students illustrate different animal classifications or create models of the solar system, they engage in a multi-faceted learning process that involves observation, creativity, and discussion with peers (Surma, 2006). Art encourages inquiry-based learning—students are likely to ask questions when they create rather than when passively receiving information. Projects like creating a weather mobile or painting the layers of the Earth encourage a holistic understanding of natural phenomena.

Lastly, social studies can become exciting through art-based projects. Students can create cultural artifacts, paint historical events, or color maps, turning traditional learning into hands-on experiences that make concepts relatable and vivid. Such activities allow students to immerse themselves in different cultures, enhancing empathy and understanding (Broudy, 1990). When students actively participate in their learning through art, they develop a sense of belonging and pride in their work, which positively impacts their self-esteem and motivation.

In summary, the integration of art into the elementary curriculum is not simply an enhancement; it's a necessity for effective education. Art ignites passion and curiosity in students, creating lasting engagement which is necessary for meaningful learning (Vogel, 2007). Teachers who embrace this integration not only adhere to educational standards but also cultivate an environment where creativity flourishes—an essential quality for the future workforce. Art's inclusion in education provides a pathway to enrich the academic journey of every child, preparing them for a complex world.

References

• Broudy, H. S. (1990). Enlightened Cherish in Arts Education. Journal of Aesthetic Education, 24(2), 99-110.
• Catterall, J. S. (2002). The Arts and Student Achievement: Summary of the Findings. Arts Education Policy Review, 104(5), 16-20.
• Dawson, S. (2014). Integrating Arts into Mathematics: A Guide for Elementary Educators. Mathematics Educator, 16(1), 9-14.
• Eisner, E. W. (2002). The Arts and the Creation of Mind. Yale University Press.
• Surma, K. (2006). The Role of Art in Science Education: Engaging Students Through Creativity. Science Educator, 15(1), 17-21.
• Vogel, S. (2007). Learning Through the Arts: A Guide for Teachers. Arts Education Review, 13(3), 45-51.