Support for the Arts in Education

Orpheus2003 · Ripening Joined: 06 Jul 2006 Posts: 52

What are the arts programs like at your schools? How often do kids get music, art, drama dance etc?

I get to see my students every day for two quarters a year. We get an amazing amount of support. We're considered "curricular." We do not call them "specials." They are "conservatories." We also have a drama teacher, a visual art teacher, a dance teacher, and a sign language teacher who are all a part of our "gallery."

We emphasize cross curricular arts and academics. It's amazing how, when done right, it can work well together. We put on these huge performances which shows not only what we are doing performance wise, but also what we are doign academically. I love working at my school!

eirelyn · Green Apple Joined: 24 May 2006 Posts: 6

We have music teachers come into the class 2x a week up to sixth grade which I teach. We also have beginning and advanced band. No drama or art teachers short of what we do ourselves

Orpheus2003 · Ripening Joined: 06 Jul 2006 Posts: 52

Two times a week isn't too shabby! How long are the class periods?

eirelyn · Green Apple Joined: 24 May 2006 Posts: 6

They are in the classroom for 1/2 hour 2x a week. Band is from 2:30- 3:10 and beginning band have specific training on fridays for 1/2 hour. If grades go down they have to leave.

Orpheus2003 · Ripening Joined: 06 Jul 2006 Posts: 52

See, at my school, if they don't pass music, they stay back. It's kind of a different focus.
All my kids haved passed though... so far.

foxxy1601 · Green Apple Joined: 26 Aug 2006 Posts: 12

Your school sounds really awesome! I think the differnet art forms are a very important part of a school. I think they are really important to include in your everyday classroom but for the schools that also have them as seperate class that is even better, especially because not all teachers agree with me on the fact that the art forms are something that should be integrated into the class!

bettie · Green Apple Joined: 14 Aug 2006 Posts: 15

Music is very important as we are touted as being one of top 100 music schools in the US. Our schedule at the Middle School is driven by the music department. We have a period at the end of the day that is devoted to large group band and chorus instruction while the rest of the school has study hall... However, art is being cut whenever our super has the chance. Someone retires and they don't get replaced.
Sharon

Guest · Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 4:36 am Post subject: cutting music

Some of the principals in some schools have been considering cutting 'superfluous' programs such as PE and music.

Silly principals! ^_^
Were they [i]really [/i]teachers once upon a time?

I hear these rumors, but I never hear them from pre-K teachers. Since I am EC-4 I rely a lot of my students prior knowledge is music and motor skills. When I was math ancillary for kindergarten I made up songs (lyrics anyway) and sang them with the the teddy bear manipulatives. I spent five years teaching (okay, so now I know I was merely lecturing and not "teaching") at a university. But I don't think my lecturing and powerpoint skills are enough to engage a five year old mind for 45 minutes.

My research into neural networks tells me that emotion is the key to significant learning. Much of the education research I'm now doing agrees with this idea. Music is wonderfully emotional too.

If children are playing, they are learning. The first trick is to get them to learn new things. The second trick is to guide them to learn what is in your curriculum.

Privateschools · Green Apple Joined: 01 Jul 2010 Posts: 9

hi,

It is a general perception that studies are really important for our kids.In fact,a time comes when the work load at increases so badly that the child doesn't get time for himself.So we must give equivalent importance to both study and play at a time.This keeps us healthy and strong.

Thanks. Razz