What: This week, we completed our field experience at Legacy Elementary. Upon finishing, I have been able to reflect on how I saw the arts used in this particular classroom. I gained many new ideas and also saw several things I would not be interested in using in my own classroom.
So What: During my time in this classroom, I was able to see how difficult it can be to make time for creative arts. There was no specific time set aside for this subject and for the most part, it had to be incorporated into other subjects. This was somewhat disappointing because I felt as if there were several times during the day when Ms. Hunter could have made time for art. Aside from having the students complete art projects, I really think using art could have worked as a management technique for her as well. The kids really seemed to enjoy art projects and getting up to move around so it would have been nice to see more arts in the classroom. When she did have the students complete arts lessons, it was usually just coloring or drawing. It was almost a form of busy work and I didn't really feel as if it was going to help the students learn the value of art.
Now What: One of the best things that comes from completing field experience is seeing how another teacher operates. You are able to find things they do that you may like to try and also point out things that you don't like. I don't feel as if arts were used in the best way in this particular classroom, but it did give me a lot of ideas for what I could do in my own classroom.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Field Experience #3
What: This week in class, I have examining many of the lessons our teacher does and trying to find ways to help her incorporate arts into them. Most of the stuff she does in class is fairly basic so we have been discussing ways to help her make the lessons more exciting for the kids.
So What: Creative arts are definitely lacking in this particular class. The kids do get to do a lot of drawing and coloring, but there is no attention directed to any other art form. I can definitely see ways that music could serve as a good management technique and also be something the kids just enjoy. During math, the kids seem to get really bored. It would be interesting to see what would happen if she could incorporate some form of art into that subject. I can imagine there being a huge difference. I have seen some teachers use songs to help students memorize math rules or techniques and I think that is something that would definitely be fun for fourth graders.
Now What: By observing the way this teacher doesn't value creative arts, it makes me want to use arts as much as possible in my own class. I think it gives the students a "break" and allows them to express themselves in other ways besides intelligence. I'm hoping to get to use the arts in future classrooms and also see how other teachers use them.
So What: Creative arts are definitely lacking in this particular class. The kids do get to do a lot of drawing and coloring, but there is no attention directed to any other art form. I can definitely see ways that music could serve as a good management technique and also be something the kids just enjoy. During math, the kids seem to get really bored. It would be interesting to see what would happen if she could incorporate some form of art into that subject. I can imagine there being a huge difference. I have seen some teachers use songs to help students memorize math rules or techniques and I think that is something that would definitely be fun for fourth graders.
Now What: By observing the way this teacher doesn't value creative arts, it makes me want to use arts as much as possible in my own class. I think it gives the students a "break" and allows them to express themselves in other ways besides intelligence. I'm hoping to get to use the arts in future classrooms and also see how other teachers use them.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Field Experience #2
What: This week we were able to examine some of the artistic abilities of the students. The kids were involved in several projects and assignments that required creative arts and it was interesting to see how they reacted.
So What: The students have been working on a "Fractured Fairytales" project. Though the basic skill required for this is writing, the students are also required to include illustrations. It has been really interesting to watch the kids work on this project because you get to see which kids like to draw and which ones do not. There are several students in the class who are extremely advanced in artistic ability and it's fun to see how much the other kids adore those students. Overall, it really seems like this is a fun assignment for the kids because it combines the monotony of writing with something else. They really seem to enjoy it.
Now What: I think by watching the way the kids react to this assignment, the teacher can learn a lot. It's obvious that the kids really enjoy creative arts, even if it is just drawing and coloring. I hope the teacher has taken note of this and will try to incorporate arts into more of their assignments.
So What: The students have been working on a "Fractured Fairytales" project. Though the basic skill required for this is writing, the students are also required to include illustrations. It has been really interesting to watch the kids work on this project because you get to see which kids like to draw and which ones do not. There are several students in the class who are extremely advanced in artistic ability and it's fun to see how much the other kids adore those students. Overall, it really seems like this is a fun assignment for the kids because it combines the monotony of writing with something else. They really seem to enjoy it.
Now What: I think by watching the way the kids react to this assignment, the teacher can learn a lot. It's obvious that the kids really enjoy creative arts, even if it is just drawing and coloring. I hope the teacher has taken note of this and will try to incorporate arts into more of their assignments.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Field Experience #1
What: This week, we began our field experience. Trevor and I are working in a fourth grade class at Legacy Elementary School in American Fork. The class we are in operates on an extended day model and has thirty five students.
So What: I was really excited to start working in Ms. Hunter's class and also interested in seeing how she incorporates creative arts into the curriculum. Upon arriving, we were able to examine the schedule and see how the arts was worked into each day. The classes in the fourth grade at this school are on rotation which means every three weeks, they switch afternoon subjects. When we arrived, our class was on the P.E. rotation. There is also music, health, and computer education. Other than offering the music class, the arts integration was worked into each subject. They didn't really have any time set aside specifically for the arts. When I asked Ms. Hunter about this, she said it was because of the amount of students. I can definitely see how it would be difficult to do arts education with that many kids because I think as a teacher you would be more concerned with the basic subjects. I can see how it would be a struggle to find time for the arts. She said it's not that she doesn't find creative arts vital to learning, but rather it's just difficult to make time for it.
Now What: Upon seeing the lack of creative arts in this classroom, it makes me wonder how many other teachers feel the way Ms. Hunter does. After all, students aren't tested on creative arts so I'm sure many teachers push this subject under the rug. It does make me wonder what the difference is between classes who participate often in creative arts and classes who do not as far as classroom management goes. It seems to me that kids need a break from the curriculum in other ways besides recess and creative arts could be a great way to do it. It makes me curious about how incorporating even just 20 minutes for the arts each day would change the feeling in her classroom. Upon seeing the lack of time for the arts, I feel inspired to find ways to make sure there is always time for the arts in my own classroom one day.
So What: I was really excited to start working in Ms. Hunter's class and also interested in seeing how she incorporates creative arts into the curriculum. Upon arriving, we were able to examine the schedule and see how the arts was worked into each day. The classes in the fourth grade at this school are on rotation which means every three weeks, they switch afternoon subjects. When we arrived, our class was on the P.E. rotation. There is also music, health, and computer education. Other than offering the music class, the arts integration was worked into each subject. They didn't really have any time set aside specifically for the arts. When I asked Ms. Hunter about this, she said it was because of the amount of students. I can definitely see how it would be difficult to do arts education with that many kids because I think as a teacher you would be more concerned with the basic subjects. I can see how it would be a struggle to find time for the arts. She said it's not that she doesn't find creative arts vital to learning, but rather it's just difficult to make time for it.
Now What: Upon seeing the lack of creative arts in this classroom, it makes me wonder how many other teachers feel the way Ms. Hunter does. After all, students aren't tested on creative arts so I'm sure many teachers push this subject under the rug. It does make me wonder what the difference is between classes who participate often in creative arts and classes who do not as far as classroom management goes. It seems to me that kids need a break from the curriculum in other ways besides recess and creative arts could be a great way to do it. It makes me curious about how incorporating even just 20 minutes for the arts each day would change the feeling in her classroom. Upon seeing the lack of time for the arts, I feel inspired to find ways to make sure there is always time for the arts in my own classroom one day.
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