Teacher Tips
Academic Integration
By Shelley Mark
Art Teacher
El Camino Real High School
Woodland Hills, California
As art teachers, we are excited to share the techniques and steps we use to lead students along the creative journey to a final artwork. It is often easy to skim over the academic aspects of a lesson that are naturally part of the lesson's design. It is possible, however, to make time for and place a focus on academic integration.
The Planning Stage: What's the Point?
Evaluate the big idea. Ask yourself: What are students really learning? What will they take away and remember two or three months from now? What benchmarks and standards, artistic techniques, and educational tools are included in the entire unit? Most importantly, will students enjoy the lesson? Making checklists that include questions like these helps create a well-rounded curriculum.
The Art Lesson: Let's Get Started
Academic integration is a natural occurrence in the teaching of visual art. I have yet to see an art lesson or unit that does not have math, reading/writing, science, and/or cultural connections. Visual art is a natural liaison between the core disciplines, so make a mental note to discuss your "academic focus time" with students and colleagues. The following lesson topic is one of many possibilities.
Personal narration illustration with linear perspective. Students write a story about a memorable event in their lives and create a drawing that illustrates one important moment from that experience. Discussions of Renaissance art and culture are included.
- Writing: Great discussions can occur about how to create a written description of a memorable event-to paint a picture in words for others to read. Students enjoy this activity because they like to talk about their own lives and experiences.
- Math: Linear perspective-spatial comprehension and geometry. This is a basic lesson that teaches students how to transform simple shapes and forms into three-dimensional objects that illustrate their stories.
- History: Students can visit their own personal histories as well as learn about artistic techniques of the Renaissance era.
- Science: Class discussion pertaining to a handout comparing Renaissance-era and modern inventions. Activities within the lesson can include drawing geometric shapes in one-point perspective, a class period in which students research historical information from relevant Web sites, and time for volunteers to read their stories to the class.
Participating in a Community Festival
By William M. Perry
Art Instructor
Central Visual and Performing Arts High School
St. Louis, Missouri
Festivals are a wonderful opportunity to get students interested in and excited about their own community. Many communities host festivals that celebrate the holidays, cultures of the residents, local businesses (such as agriculture), or local interests (for example, the arts). These events incorporate the talents of the community, including those found in the schools. Art teachers can best gauge the abilities of their students and approach community organizations or businesses with proposals to showcase their students' talents in local festivals. There are times, too, when a community representative may approach your school with an opportunity to participate in a festival in exchange for a stipend for the art department fund.
To prepare for any project, students should begin by brainstorming ideas then using the Internet and library resources to research background information and art techniques. The students will have a lot of ideas. Discuss with your students which of these would be appropriate for the community. Be sure to also discuss which ideas will be feasible given the time you have to complete the project, the amount of space you have, and the budget constraints. (Use as many supplies and resources from the school as possible, or those that can be donated to stretch your budget.) There will always be a few hitches in the execution of a project-bad weather, late buses, inadequate space. But inevitably your students' enthusiasm and unstinting willingness to pitch in will help complete the job on time.
Participating in a community festival can be a massive project-management experience for all the students involved. In addition to utilizing their art skills, students learn to plan, budget their time, work as a team, and make decisions that involve deadlines, quality control, and organization of people and materials. Working on a local event is a true example of education in a real life, real-world setting, from which students will tremendously benefit.
Bringing Language Arts and History into the Choir Room
By Laurie Steele Lausi
Cherry Hill High School East
Cherry Hill, New Jersey
When performing choral music, it is important that students achieve a true understanding of the text in order to convey the correct meaning to their audience. Students at our school meet the National Standards for Arts Education, Music (9-12) Content Standard #8 of "Understanding relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts" in a variety of ways:
- Choral students study the poetry of each piece in their repertoire. They also study the life of the poet and historical events that may have influenced his or her writing. This approach is useful with madrigal groups as they work to grasp the structure of Renaissance music. Students are required to explain what they think the text means by paraphrasing it into contemporary language.
- As a special project, a composer was commissioned to create a piece for my concert choir. The choir members were asked to bring in poetry that was either original or published. The choir voted, without knowing the author, on which poem they would like to present to the composer. Students then worked with the composer on musical ideas to express the text of the poem.
- When students are accepted into the madrigal group, they are responsible for having a costume made in the style of the Elizabethan Period. The students must research clothing designs and meet with a seamstress to create their own costumes. This ensemble also performs in the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire and at Medieval Times restaurant events where audiences are invited to step back in time to experience the sights and sounds of this period in history.
Making History Come Alive in the Theatre
By Betsy Cornwell
Theatre Director
Bowie High School
Austin, Texas
Preparing a musical for dramaturgy-the art of dramatic composition and theatrical representation-is probably one of the most exciting preparation steps for the theatre director. In planning a production of Elton John and Tim Rice's pop musical AIDA (based on the 1871 Verdi opera romance set in Egypt), our team focused much of our research on Egyptian culture to create design elements for costumes, scenery, hair, and makeup. We joyfully share with our students our love of history as we direct staging to reflect the dominance of the triangle as a symbol in Egyptian art and architecture, and as we paint the scenery with Egyptian themes. Because the musical numbers incorporate many different genres, we also discuss various musical styles from disco to gospel to African tribal beats. The choreographers have designed movements to complement each of the genres.
Some of our best teaching occurs on the stage during rehearsals, when the students are not in a formal classroom setting. As the students prepare for performance, we explain the choices we enjoin. Our gratification comes when students begin to recognize the elements we have explained and can share them with their peers.
Community Involvement
By Malinda Essex
Columbus, Ohio
With just a little creativity, general music teachers can find ways to involve students in the community both in- and outside of the school building.
Here are just a few ideas:
- Ensemble performances. Recorders, guitars, hand bells, Orff Instruments, steel drums, drum circles, etc. are all portable and easy-to-learn instruments and vehicles for creating performances with community members. Once you've tried performing in the community, your program will become known and more opportunities will come your way.
- DJ services. General music students can create playlists for specific audiences. Contact your local retirement community and ask if your students can provide music for mealtimes. Students can choose music based on themes or time periods. They can even provide background information on the music they choose for listeners.
- Create books. General music students can use their knowledge of instruments, composers, performers, etc. to create books for younger students. The students who create the books can take them to classrooms or libraries, read them aloud to younger students, and present them as gifts.
Community involvement usually involves some kind of authentic product. Preparing for a real audience adds a sense of purpose to the work being done inside the classroom. Whatever you do, make sure people know you're doing it. Notify the local newspaper and even television stations. They are always looking for the chance to showcase a community's students in a positive light.
Your Choral Program and Your Community
By Marci Major
Columbus, Ohio
Do you want a great way to advocate for your choral program? Involve your choir in the community and the community in your choir! Whether you're a new teacher looking to expand your involvement, or an experienced teacher seeking new ideas, follow these fun and simple ideas for success:
- Network with parents. Community social groups often need entertainment for holiday events. Start your search for participation opportunities by asking parents about their involvement in these local organizations.
- Pay a visit. Nursing homes need entertainment for their residents year-round.
- Go on tour. Adapt scenes from your school musicals or selections from your concerts and showcase your work at local middle and elementary schools. Also, hand out flyers with discounted ticket offers to your main events.
- Think "win-win!" Arrange to host a joint concert with the local community orchestra, band, or chorus.
- Teach outside the school. Teach "informances" that explain how classroom activities make choir such a valuable experience. Local libraries love educational programs like these.
- Crash someone else's party! Volunteer your choir to sing at non-musical school events. PTA fundraisers, sporting events, and board meetings can expose more parents and students to your program.
- Spread the word. Advertise to ensure that people know about your concerts, competitions, and tours. You can print flyers, post announcements, set up a Web page, or launch pod-casts.
No matter what avenue you choose, get your students and the community working together! You'll enhance visibility, foster good will, and ultimately increase the success of your program.