Integrated Arts?

The Integrated Arts is a model designed to offer support, extension, and supplementary experiences in content areas through interdisciplinary arts activities. The Common Core Standards' emphasis on developing depth and rigor in thought and the ability to communicate relevant information with increasing skill provides the necessary impetus for this model. Content will be viewed through many lenses, allowing the entirety of relevant ideas to be processed and applied broadly and with added depth. Work with visual arts, music, drama, literature, writing, technology, and design will be incorporated and collaboration with classroom teachers will be ongoing. As Yeats wrote, "Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire". The Integrated Arts is an opportunity to light a very purposeful, very directed fire.

Friday, September 20, 2013

Paul Klee "Castles of Character".



A few finished works. Just lovely.





beginnings of First grade Paul Klee "Castles of Character"

First grade is very close to my heart, as you know. As all of us who have taught first grade know, September is a time of growth and challenge for the new first-grader. With this in mind we are integrating a lesson about citizenship, responsibility, and good character with fundamental line work and depth of understanding about the coloration of the great Paul Klee. We started by reading a Klee-inspired book, "The Cat and the Bird". We observed analogous color and strong linear form in contrast and took a strong liking to the castles in the book. After discussing what developing good character means we decided we would make castles of character- strong, determined, brave, responsible, and interesting. Drawings were done using guided-line technique with rulers and meeting three guidelines: varied height, overlapping buildings, and planning space for color. Later, wax resistance formed guidelines for this challenging watercolor work. Waterproof marker provided the final layer of markings and defined the castles well. Well done first-graders!