Start of Semester
Please answer each survey question in a few thoughtful sentences.
1. How do you envision using art in your classroom?
I hope to incorporate art in with many of the other subjects that I cover in my classroom including science, history, reading, etc. I think there are many great ways in which art can be used as a great compliment and enhancer to what is required to be taught.
2. What do you know about integrated learning / integration?
I know that with cuts in school budgets in the arts and sciences that integrated learning has become a method of teaching that is almost necessary to get what some consider 'unnecessary' subjects such as art, music, etc. into the classroom. Integrated learning is a way to keep the arts involved in everyday learning!
3. Rate your comfort level in making art, and discuss.
Uneasy 1 2 3 4 5 Comfortable
I feel very comfortable making most types of art. I know that there is no one right way to create art and know that I may not be on the same artistic level as someone else, but am good in my own way.
4. Rate your comfort level in analyzing and talking about art, and discuss.
Uneasy 1 2 3 4 5 Comfortable
I'm not the most comfortable at analyzing and talking about art mainly because I don't have much experience in it. I feel that after time I would feel more comfortable.
End of Semester
Now that you have [almost] completed the course, please answer each survey question once more in a few thoughtful sentences.
1. How do you envision using art in your classroom?
Art can be used in my classroom in many ways. I can design lessons off of a Big Idea, and with that Big Idea I can choose artists whose art can enhance the thing that I am trying to teach. Art allows for my students to learn in a different, hands on way. Art also allows those right brain thinkers to learn in the way that they feel most comfortable and confident.
2. What do you know about integrated learning / integration?
Integrated learning is a great way to get multiple subjects to aide in the learning of a subject. It is the layering of math, literacy, science, social studies, art, music, etc. to assist students in really and truly learning a topic. These subjects are chosen for a particular lesson to lend a hand to one another and promote learning in multiple ways. Integrations is a great way to allow your students more time with the "special" subjects such as art, music, and PE that are getting less focus due to budget cuts.
3. Rate your comfort level in making art, and discuss.
Uneasy 1 2 3 4 5 Comfortable
After a semester of working on art projects within the classroom I am much more comfortable with making my own art. I believe that when asked why I chose to do something in particular, I can respond without hesitation. To me, this means that I am now comfortable with my own art and art decisions. I can truly make an artist statement about why I chose to make a piece a certain way and not another. Inspiration comes from anywhere and everywhere, that is why art is so different and hard to define. Art is in the eye of the beholder.
4. Rate your comfort level in analyzing and talking about art, and discuss.
Uneasy 1 2 3 4 5 Comfortable
Like I said above, I have grown comfortable in making and analyzing my own art. In a similar way, I feel much more comfortable in analyzing and talking about the art of others. I really think that VTS is a great way for many people to share their feelings of a piece of art. When utilizing VTS no one is right or wrong in the sense that the answer is never truly given, it is all up to interpretation. I believe that all art is up to interpretation. An artist may have created a piece thinking about one message, but a viewer of that same piece may pick up on a completely unintentionally message. Art is in the eye of the beholder.