BLOG # 4, 5 & 6

Music
I have such a passion for music and I am a big believer that music is something in which all children should be involved in. Music can set any mood you want it too, and it is a wonderful way to teach curriculum to students. Memory is jogged by singing songs that teach concepts. I plan to use music in my future classroom in MANY ways!

Visual Arts
The Visual Arts are perfect for incorporating into any lesson. I think it's important to teach about the visual arts in a deeper sense. Students' can learn a lot about themselves through analyzing the arts, because finding beauty in art is all about perspective. I look forward to teaching about the elements of visual arts in my future classroom, and taking it to a deeper, more meaningful level with my students.

Field Experience
The past three weeks at field were amazing. I learned so much about myself and my skills as a teacher. I learned things that boosted my confidence, and I also learned many things I need to work on professionally to become a great teacher. The arts bring joy to any classroom, and this was evident to me during field. Any type of art makes a boring lesson lively, and excites the students. Arts turns learning out of obligation, into learning out of desire. I really enjoyed my experiences within the schools and cannot wait for next semester to take more risks with incorporating the arts into my lessons.

Field Week: BLOG # 6

Wow! This past week I have been in a 5th grade classroom, observing, teaching and learning more than I could ever imagine. I truly feel that teachers learn more from children, than we could ever teach them. Each student it so unique and has such specific needs, that being a teacher really requires all of you. I didn't quite know what to expect through this whole experience. All i knew was that I was excited, nervous and anxious to get in a real classroom and try out what i've been learning. I feel like the biggest thing I have realized this past week, is not only does teaching require all of your energy, but it also requires all of your heart and passion as well. I can see how someone would get burnt out from teaching, if they were in it for the wrong reasons. Although, I can't really think what the wrong reason would be, because the money definitely is not a reason. It would be extremely easy to loose sight of why you wanted to be a teacher if you let the frustrating moments of children misbehaving, or the overwhelming feeling of a pile of ungraded papers, get to you. I think I've learned patience more than anything through this experience. Teaching isn't all happy little kids and coloring books. At the beginning, I think that was sort of my imagery of what teaching was. I am a creative person and love to be around lively young spirits, but I have realized that being a teacher requires so much more than that. You need to have a love for people. Teaching to me, is really a very selfless profession, where you give much of yourself to see others succeed. I have loved getting to know the students in my 5th grade class, although some moments have already proved to be a challenge, I know that the gratification of watching them grow and learn, would be enough for me.
I am excited to mature and grow as a person, because then I know i'll be even better prepared to handle students of all kinds, and bestow the best knowledge and effort I have, for my future classroom.

Teaching with Visual Arts: BLOG # 5

The Visual arts are very compelling to all types of students and can really be used for bringing a classroom together. Regardless of artistic ability, creating visual arts through it's many mediums is something anyone can do. Teachers can use many different types of activities to inspire their students and create an outlet for them to express themselves through. Visual arts is a very deep form of art, which can be evaluated and looked at from many perspectives. That is apart of what makes the visual arts so beautiful, is so many perspectives can interpret its different meanings. You can take one picture and have many different students examine it. With each student, you might hear a completely different emotion or perspective, regarding the meaning of the picture. Art really isn't about what the artist was trying to portray, it is about the emotions it evokes in the eye of the beholder. I will definitely use the visual arts in my class as often as possible, because I know how powerful they are.

TEACHING DANCE

This past week in class we learned many fun and creative ways to teach dance in an elementary school setting. I really enjoyed this experience because it got me thinking about dancing differently. I am a dancer, and have been dancing for about 9 years. These activities really allowed me to see how you can use dance for children who maybe aren't comfortable dancing. Many children, especially the younger ages, have not been exposed to dance. These activities get their blood flowing and their brains thinking. The approach in adding dance to the elementary classroom is much different than that of a studio. It has very much to do with creating an open learning environment for your students. Implementing the arts and dance allows for students to express themselves, communicate with one another and be open to new experiences. Dance in elementary schools isn't about technique like it would be in a studio. It's about bringing your students together and providing them a new way of learning and growing. I will definitely use dancing in my future classroom because I think it is extremely beneficial. I enjoyed it so much and I know those little children would love it as well.

Teaching Drama and Story

The past few weeks in class we have been focusing on incorporating drama with our lesson plans. I have had so much fun the past few weeks learning about different games you could play with your class. I honestly had no idea that you could have so much fun with drama in a classroom setting. Before the past few weeks, I definately didn't think you could really incorporate drama into school other than a school play. I used to think drama was only for.. the dramatic people! :)
I never realized how many wonderful things drama can teach. Drama is an excellent way to break up cliche's in the classroom. It is also a wonderful way to get your students involved in communication. Communication is KEY to relationship!! If you want your class to get along and have good chemistry, get them communicating. Drama also allows for expression and allows personalities to shine through! I definitely enjoyed seeing this in our own class. The activities really helped loosen me and lighten the mood. It was nice when that happened because then everyone in our cohort was able to just be themselves. That type of relaxation will be invaluable in the classroom.
I will without a doubt incorporate drama into my future classroom, because of the positive experience i've had in this course.

With, In & Through the Arts: Blog # 1

To teach with, in and through the arts you have to incorporate different levels of the arts to qualify for each one. Each has a different meaning in which the level of arts is incorporated. Lower grade teachers, teach with the arts every single day. When they have their kindergartners or first graders color a work sheet, that is considered teaching with the arts. Teaching in the arts is a bit different. In order for this to take place a teacher must take this integration to the next level. When teachers plan with arts specialists to teach about the arts, that is when such integration takes place. Teaching in the arts is more meaningful than merely teaching with the arts. It is teaching your students about art. Lastly, we have teaching through the arts. This is the most full integration of the arts that a classroom can hope to have. This type of teaching involves a complete environment change. This includes having an asthetically pleasing classroom while using the arts not only to supplement each lesson but also as the core unit of many lessons. In this type of classroom everywhere you look you can learn from art. I feel that these types of instruction with the arts incorporated heavily are so important. Children can relate to arts and it makes for an enriching experience while they are learning something new. Art often times acts as an ice breaker, or a scaffold to connect old to new material. I am so excited to learn more about arts integration and how to successfully use these methods in my future classroom.