Erase a Lack of Art Projects

Do you draw, paint, sculpt, take pictures, or make crafts? They are all ways you can express yourself creatively--and show what you're learning in ANY subject!

• 1.

  <STRONG> How do you learn best?</STRONG> Many students find that hands-on learning (experiments, art projects, interviews) makes every subject more real and meaningful. Almost any science project, book report, social studies research, or math exercise can include the visual arts! Use your imagination to incorporate art into your school projects. And with classmates, stand up for MORE opportunities to communicate and learn with art.

• 2.

  <STRONG>Who could make the most difference to support art in your school?</STRONG> Teachers? Administrators? Your families? Committees or boards? Talk with art specialists, artists, arts council members, and teachers who understand the value of the visual arts in learning. Ask probing questions to get their ideas about ways to erase the lack of art projects.

• 3.

  <STRONG>What reasons for supporting art do you think are most convincing? </STRONG>How can you spread the word to decision makers? Experiment with Crayola® Erasable Colored Pencils on white paper to make a powerful poster. Erase some of the color to add details and highlights, either with white space or by filling in with another color. Add a decorative border to draw attention to your message.

• 4.

  <STRONG>Collaborate</STRONG> with others in your school or community to inform people about the many ways that the arts enhance learning.

Benefits

• Students recognize and use visual arts as a form of communication.
• Students gather information about how the visual arts contribute to brain development and learning in all subjects.
• Students apply elements of art and principles of design to creatively express their ideas to advocate for integrated arts education.

Adaptations

• Explore styles of art such as surrealism, expressionism, cartooning and more by looking at your favorite books. Start with books that have been recognized with the Caldecott Medal. Research and discuss the art of illustration.
• Design a stained glass window. You’re using geometry! Write, design, and produce a puppet show. You’re using language arts! Build a replica of a Mongolian yurt (ger). That’s social studies! Find ways to involve art in every subject!
• Younger children and those with special needs are eager hands-on learners. Integrate the visual and performing arts into every facet of their experiences, from learning a second language to building with blocks.
• Assessment: Were children’s interviews conducted with probing questions? How well does each poster communicate the strength of the message? How successfully did students collaborate to follow through on their message?