Reflection - Visual Arts

What?
In the visual arts unit, we learned about the basic principles (value, color, shape, line, texture, and space) and elements (proportion, balance, rhythm, variety, emphasis, and unity) of visual art.  We looked at and analyzed different works of art that demonstrated the principles and elements. 

So What?
As a teacher, this means that I can teach my future students about visual art.  Not only have we learned about ways to create visual artwork, but we also learned how to critique and analyze works of art.  Visual art is something that I can teach my students to appreciate, as well.  As a person, knowing about and valuing visual art makes me more educated, more cultured, and a more well-rounded person.

Now What?
As I learn more about the visual arts, I can better plan to incorporate them into my lessons and activities.  I've always been a huge fan of arts, especially visual arts, so my perspective hasn't changed much.  I've simply learned a couple extra facts and tips during this great unit.  I think visual arts is something that kids enjoy and are enthusiastic about, whether it's fingerpainting, coloring, drawing, or any other method, and I look forward to mixing the visual arts into my classroom.

And...
I really enjoyed this group project.   Laura and Angie were great teammates.  My group worked extremely well together.  I feel like each of us pulled our own weight; we each were assigned a piece of the virtual handout, and we each brought supplies for our project itself.  I thought the project my group came up with was genius and our other classmates liked it, too.  This project was a FANTASTIC way to incorporate visual art into the classroom while encouraging team work and allowing creativity.

The Arts and Me

The arts have always been something that's interested me.  I love the freedom and creativity that comes with the arts.  I remember when I was seven.  My local grocery store had a coloring contest near Halloween.  I found the best picture in my new coloring book and went to work.  I went to the store a few weeks later to find out the results...and I won! There wasn't a happier girl on the planet.  Perhaps this memory is what sparked my love for the arts.

Music is an art form that is dear to me.  I absolutely use music to express myself, but I also use it as a learning tool. You can find a song about anything, which I adore.  I recall old teachers of mine using songs in the classroom to help us remember a certain something, and I can remember some of those songs to this day.  My favorite class in high school was choir.  The times I had in choir were what made my high school education excellent.  Not only was choir fun, but I believe that it helped me in my other subjects as well.

As a future teacher, I absolutely plan on incorporating the arts into my classroom.  I wouldn't want to be in a classroom without them.  The arts are what hooks kids - the colors, the shapes, the sounds, the movements.  It lets them express themselves, and allows them to interpret the world around them.  In my opinion, a classroom without the arts is an unsuccessful one.