10 Things Every Art Educator Should Know About Curriculum Integration
By Ondrian Duncan
October 1, 2013
1. In order to use the arts to link with other subjects, learners must possess the key understandings of art.
3. All educators (art or not) should avoid shallow forms of curriculum integration, because it will not produce meaningful learning.
4. Curriculum integration teaches students to work using the process of contemporary artists.
5. The arts help to extend metaphorical understandings of a concept which allows students to link functional ideas into humanistic ideals.
6. When approaching what subjects to integrate, it is necessary not to misrepresent a subject area as a less important discipline. This lessens the strength of curriculum integration.
7. Students will be able to make better informed choices and use multiple sources when solving problems.
8. Visual thinking strategies improve student citizenship, cooperation, respect, and the tolerance of multiple perspectives.
9. The age of the child that the curriculum is being planned for should always be considered.
10. Using local cultural resources will provide support to all subject areas.
Resources
Damkohler, L. (July 6, 2011) Arts integration isn’t enough. ARTSblog. Retrieved from http://blog.artsusa.org/2011/07/06/arts-integration-isnt-enough
Guggenhiem (2013). Learning Through Art at the Guggenheim. Retrieved from http://www.guggenheim.org/new-york/education/school-educator-programs/learning-through-art
Stewart, M. & S. Walker (2005). Rethinking curriculum in art. Worcester, MA: Davis Publications
Visual Thinking Strategies (2013). What is VTS. Retrieved from http://www.vtshome.org/what-is-vts
By Ondrian Duncan
October 1, 2013
1. In order to use the arts to link with other subjects, learners must possess the key understandings of art.
- Art is a purposeful human endeavor
- Art attains value, purpose, and meaning from the personal, social, and cultural dimensions of life.
- Art raises philosophical issues and questions.
- Artworks are objects for interpretation.
- Change is fundamental to art.
3. All educators (art or not) should avoid shallow forms of curriculum integration, because it will not produce meaningful learning.
4. Curriculum integration teaches students to work using the process of contemporary artists.
5. The arts help to extend metaphorical understandings of a concept which allows students to link functional ideas into humanistic ideals.
6. When approaching what subjects to integrate, it is necessary not to misrepresent a subject area as a less important discipline. This lessens the strength of curriculum integration.
7. Students will be able to make better informed choices and use multiple sources when solving problems.
8. Visual thinking strategies improve student citizenship, cooperation, respect, and the tolerance of multiple perspectives.
9. The age of the child that the curriculum is being planned for should always be considered.
10. Using local cultural resources will provide support to all subject areas.
Resources
Damkohler, L. (July 6, 2011) Arts integration isn’t enough. ARTSblog. Retrieved from http://blog.artsusa.org/2011/07/06/arts-integration-isnt-enough
Guggenhiem (2013). Learning Through Art at the Guggenheim. Retrieved from http://www.guggenheim.org/new-york/education/school-educator-programs/learning-through-art
Stewart, M. & S. Walker (2005). Rethinking curriculum in art. Worcester, MA: Davis Publications
Visual Thinking Strategies (2013). What is VTS. Retrieved from http://www.vtshome.org/what-is-vts