school observations

My observations consisted of two very different high schools. The first was the high school I attended myself where I was able to observe in the art classroom. The teacher I interviewed went to Montclair as well, and graduated from Middletown South herself. It was great to see even though the art program at the school has little significance in the overall curriculum, she was excited about expanding the program and her work in general. Having spent most of my time in that room during my four years of school it was great to see the same close atmosphere that i knew and loved. The kids in the class were outgoing and excited in their work. I loved how as soon as the bell rang and the class filtered in she did not have to say much of anything before the students got right to work. There were all different levels in the room including many students with learning and behavioral problems working without the aid of their personal assistants or even the teacher. Throughout the day we talked about all aspects of her teaching from how she grades the work, lesson plans she has to hand in, instilling discipline to an open atmosphere, and the aspirations she has in creating a better arts program for the school. It was difficult but inspiring to see how positive she was about creating this atmosphere for the students and providing them with every opportunity she could. A few weeks after this observation I was able to got to Arts high school where I spent the day in the painting and drawing classroom. The classes consisted of two freshman and one junior class that were working in different areas. The teacher I worked with was in her retirement year and as much as she put an emphasis on how much she loved her job as a teacher, it was clear to see she was happy to go. We spent a lot of time discussing the problems of administration and it seems over the last couple of years some of the art teachers feel as though there is not as much emphasis on the atmosphere the school once had. She said it could be seen in her students and their work. I saw things that went along with her opinion, but those that contradicted as well. There was no doubt in how talented and unique the students in her class were. As an art major it would be a dream to work in a school such as this and dedicate my knowledge to teaching and learning from the students. I was amazed at the work that had been produced in the classroom and had so much fun discussing art and technique with the students during their lesson. The atmosphere of the classroom was amazing it was not a cramped high school class that i knew, but a room for discussion inquiry and exploration. I left the school with so much excitement and ambition. If i can instill such a program in other schools, bring them to understand how and what the arts can provide it would be a great change for schools and education.

Inquiry
How integrating art education into other subject areas can help students overall achievement?

Who are our students or who are our teachers. I feel that the question could go either way. I am leaning more towards who are our students, but The teachers are the ones who need to take the effort in the instruction of the integration.
What does integration of subject areas provide?
How art education can help?
Achievement as far as learning new ways, problem solving, critically thinking, or just test
scores?
Other questions that have come up in this topic relate to funding of the school and motivation of the faculty. In a school such as Arts where the learning is based on an integrating art program there is room and cooperation in order for the program to work. In schools art is being taken out of the curriculum could applying it to other subject areas be an alternative to deleting it completely?

After reading various articles and picking through research topics I have changed my inquiry to be a topic of art education as well. I want to know how teachers incorporate art education with other areas to have students apply their knowledge in the arts to improve other subjects. I am not sure if the art teacher that i will be observing does this so my question may not be answered with one visit. Teaching styles is something I am also considering at this point. Because an art classroom is so different in its arrangement of students it would be interesting to see how the style of teaching is when compared to that of say a math class,and how the students benefit from one or the other.

arts high

The arts high school was an original experience, and a great chance to see the potential of kids in urban areas. After my visit and reading back to last weeks notes i wondered if my classmates would use the stereotypes and reactions to this school as other Urban schools as we did last class. I know personally I could not. Even though they are faced with the same struggles as other children in Urban communities i saw flourishing talent and knowledge on the tour. Coming from an art background it was truly astonishing to see what these kids have accomplished as projects and pieces. Their gallery of artwork excelled over many of the student exhibits I have seen at Montclair. The school gives the student tools to succeed, and they bring their talents to the table. Resources for materials are phenomenal from what i have experienced in other high schools, and it is the teachers who help to give their students everything possible. The money is out there one teacher had told me it just takes some work to get it. From the degree of talent these students showed they deserve nothing but the best. Going further on that thought, all of our students deserve nothing but the best. It is our job to give them the resources, the insight, the help to give them a chance at putting their best efforts forth. I am excited to go back and learn more in the school and classrooms.

Inquiry

After much discussion on democratic settings throughout segregated schools, I would like to further explore this in the inquiry project. Moving from one town to another, I have been part of both diverse and non diverse communities. In urban schools how does the diverse community affect their social and academic growth. Who are the students, and does it matter? I would have to say yes just from my experience in education and school thus far. Without a mixed classroom there are fewer non traditional ideas and beliefs, supporting stereotypes and misunderstandings. With schools becoming more segregated I am curious to what settings will be most beneficial to students.

schools and democracy

What role should schools and schooling play in the United States? In democracy? Although things have changed since schools were first developed, educating students to be good citizens is one of the standing beliefs still held. While there is debate on what subjects and information to be instructed there is an understanding that in public schools we need to teach our students to work together, critically thinking and solving problems.

“As it turns out schools are the ideal sites for democratic citizenship education(Parker3)”. Public schools unlike home life for individual students can bring a mixed interaction of various races religions and social classes. If students are able to interact with one another in a classroom setting it can be a new and enlightening experience for each individual. Once there is interaction their can be discussion and debate on topics that are concerns for all the students regardless of their differences. As it applies to the country as a whole, we all have problems and concerns that are surpass individual differences.

Being able to deliberate on common concerns, as Parker says produces a community to weigh out the pros and cons and come together in decision. School can also provide answers and knowledge for students’ inquiry and debate to be substantial and meaningful. Without the proper facts answers and assumptions may be uneducated and incorrect. There is always more than one way to look at a situation, and by having information to support these ideas different values and cultural perspectives can become new knowledge to different students. .

As in his title “Teaching against Idiocy,” Parker shows the importance of our society working democratically together in order to keep our freedoms intact. With idiocy there is self interest and concern rather than concern for the whole. Following this type of idiotic lifestyle is not only detrimental to the group, but to the individual as well. Because schools produce the perfect setting for democratic interaction, they play a vital role in democracy. If we start with the ideals of communicating and coming to conclusions with children of worldly differences, hopefully these democratic values can be progress later in life.

Franklin

For my art education curriculum class we are doing an art program call backpacks at Franklin Elementary school in Newark. I decided to attend a few extra days in order to serve my community service requirement. I was so excite to spend a few more days with the kids after getting so attached. The kids I have worked with this semester really have grown in my eyes with their artwork, and learning in general. Because of the diverse atmosphere and the type of class setting that was being run I got to learn so much of my own teaching abilities and hardships. Working with most of my kids who were ESL and not knowing any Spanish experimenting with different communication techniques was the first hurdle that I had to jump. Because the art program gave them vocabulary and led to conversations about the artists and their work, I was surprised to see how quickly they opened up with one another. The linking literacy to art part of the program was great because it was able to make the readings fun for the kids as they moved along with the language, and comparisons to thoughts or ideas that their backpack artists and the book had. I have grown myself as a teacher and have began to understand some of my own strengths and weaknesses. While I can get the students involved and participating in assignments I lack discipline skills when they do act up. There is so much I have to learn about other cultures around me, and they have made me aware of how vital it is to know who your students are and what is going on in their own lives. I am sad to leave but excited to start in a new classroom with new faces ideas and experiences.