"Hands-On Constructivist and Constructionist Method"
Visual arts consist of different art forms which can be drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpting, printmaking, and photography. The elements of this visual art are things like lines, color, and texture in order to help make things like paintings or sculptures. In contrast, the principles are how the artist uses those elements. This would like like balance or unity or different elements to achieve the perception they are searching for. This gives the artist all of the power and this is what gives art value. The text then breaks into the different types of elements and their definitions.Visual arts not only keeps students engaged and teaches them to remain focused during a process but also provides a successful learning environment for all. Unfortunately, there is an increasing demand in high test scores and best test performance. Due to this, schools are beginning to eliminate visual arts from school and it is only hurting the children and their learning.
Building Foundation Vocabulary in Visual Arts
The Elements of Art are sensory components used to create and talk about works of art: line, color, shape, form, texture, value, space. These are the building blocks of art. A young boy once stated, "He spoke quietly but enthusiastically, explaining that he loves visual art because creating helps him “forget the bad” and he needs that “more than once a week.”. This is the base for visual arts and a release from the outside world but also a jump into other academic areas. We are bombarded with advertisements for iPods and iPads, music, movies and shows that are often produced with high visual impact. By weaving the arts into and through our content in naturally aligned ways, we are providing relevance to student learning, and giving them an opportunity to connect their world to our classrooms. Common Core Reading and Math Standards have both identified the need for this critical practice, and many teachers are struggling with implementing it in the classroom. Visual Arts Integration may be a pathway to providing those opportunities.
What to do when the Arts are Missing?
Tight budgets, high stakes testing, and a heavy focus on literacy, science, and math have brought an end to the visual arts integration and teachers squeeze in a cute pinterest activity at the holiday time when they have "extra time". This is a waste! Visual arts has scientific proof to help students enhance creativity, increase self-confidence, promote collaboration, and offer alternative ways to assess learning. Through visual arts be sure to encourage speaking, listening, and vocabulary development skills. Start by connecting spoken words to visual models and allowing students to share their work or perform presentations.