The hot topic at many school districts across the country today is budget cuts. Usually it does not take much time before the subject of eliminating art classes is bought up. The school districts in the city I live in are not a lot different that those in larger cities like New York and are having these same discussions.
I know a lot has been written about the value of the arts and art education and the creative mind. It seems sad that we have now come to the place that visual arts are deemed less important than other disciplines for students.
I have been in public schools where art is the only class where some students become engaged in learning. I recently had a substitute teaching experience in a small elementary school. I was taking over for the visual art teacher. A few rowdy fifth graders entered the art room, noted that the regular art teacher was absent, and began playing and talking loudly. The project we were to work on that day was to create a logo for a small department within the school district. The logo was to be created and completed during class. The students were told that the best entries, which would be decided by the art teacher,and would be entered in a contest. I explained that the winning logo would be placed on stationary, t-shirts and the internet.
Once I got their attention and explained our project for the day the students became involved and at times you could almost hear a pin drop in the room.
If you take away art, there will be nothing left for many students.
I believe it is a sad reflection on our culture that the decision makers would even consider eliminating art in our schools.
www.nellasbooksandcollectibles.ecrater.com
I know a lot has been written about the value of the arts and art education and the creative mind. It seems sad that we have now come to the place that visual arts are deemed less important than other disciplines for students.
I have been in public schools where art is the only class where some students become engaged in learning. I recently had a substitute teaching experience in a small elementary school. I was taking over for the visual art teacher. A few rowdy fifth graders entered the art room, noted that the regular art teacher was absent, and began playing and talking loudly. The project we were to work on that day was to create a logo for a small department within the school district. The logo was to be created and completed during class. The students were told that the best entries, which would be decided by the art teacher,and would be entered in a contest. I explained that the winning logo would be placed on stationary, t-shirts and the internet.
Once I got their attention and explained our project for the day the students became involved and at times you could almost hear a pin drop in the room.
If you take away art, there will be nothing left for many students.
I believe it is a sad reflection on our culture that the decision makers would even consider eliminating art in our schools.
www.nellasbooksandcollectibles.ecrater.com
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