UnitedColours of Zak: It's Just ART

Last night,we just finished having our Parents' Night and the Art Exhibition was a success.
But, things got complicated when parents started coming to me with their dismayed faces asking me why their children got such low grades in Art which was suppose to be an easy subject.
And to quote one parent who said "It's just art, it's an easy subject!". It may be an easy subject but no one realizes the importance of ART. Art is everywhere. When we wake up and prepare ourselves even combing our hair or dressing up takes art. We dress in style....that's art. We comb our hair in different ways to look good ... that's art. The way we prepare our food to make sure it looks good ...is art. Academic wise,even in math or science art is involved. Whether to make a triangle or a circle or whatever shape there is ...isn't that art? To draw leaves, trees, animals or whatever the science curriculum requires...has to use art. How can a child draw properly or color the object without using Art. There was once a math teacher who told me,
" Why make lesson plans for art?" " It's not a major subject." Sad to say she just showed her ignorance in art. Why do we make lesson plans? To prepare lessons that will benefit the children. To make sure that they learn something new and relevant to their developing years.
Let's start with early childhood education., Practicing and gaining fine muscle control and strengthening eye-hand motor coordination. By holding paintbrushes and learning how to control paint, crayons, scissors, and other art tools, children gain the skills necessary for later writing activities as well as a feeling of control over themselves and their world.
Brain research confirms that Arts education strengthens student problem-solving and critical thinking skills, adding to overall academic achievement, school success, and preparation for the work world. Regular participation in the arts develops self-confidence, self-discipline, persistence, and the knowledge of how to make multiple revisions to create high quality work. (http://www.dryden.k12.ny.us/ )
Let's continue with Grade school and why Art touches every subject. How does it help our children ?

Mathematics. Children become aware of different sizes, shapes, and parallel lines and use every mathematical concept as they discuss their art and the art of others.
Science. Paint changes texture as it dries, powdered paint and chalk dissolve in water, and chalk produces bubbles when dipped in water. Also, paints change color when they are mixed together. The physical sciences are ever present as children produce art.
Economics. This and other concepts from the social studies develop. Children become producers by making art and consumers by using the materials of art.
Language. Children learn to talk about their art and the art of others and develop the vocabulary of art.
Beginning reading. Children make and read symbols that represent reality.
Social skills. By sharing paints and paper, cooperating to create a group mural or other project, and assuming responsibility for cleaning up, children gain valuable social skills through making art.

The Connection Between Arts Education and Academic Achievement (HTTP://www.edutopia.org)

"If they're worried about their test scores and want a way to get them higher, they need to give kids more arts, not less," says Tom Horne, Arizona's state superintendent of public instruction.

Teaching your students about art is a good idea—here's why:

It's been proven that early exposure to visual art, music, or drama promotes activity in the brain.
Art helps children understand other subjects much more clearly—from math and science, to language arts and geography.
Art nurtures inventiveness as it engages children in a process that aids in the development of self-esteem, self-discipline, cooperation, and self-motivation.
Participating in art activities helps children to gain the tools necessary for understanding human experience, adapting to and respecting others' ways of working and thinking, developing creative problem-solving skills, and communicating thoughts and ideas in a variety of ways.

Going back to the main course of my post, parents who think that because their children received a high mark in major subjects that the child has to automatically have a high grade in Art and because some parents take art for granted they don't understand that we have high standards for Art. I cannot just give a high grade if I don't see any development in the child's work. The child may be good in other subjects but is the child doing well in art? Will parents prefer that I give a high grade for a child who couldn't even make a proper circle or color evenly? Or a child who couldn't even follow instructions in pasting a piece of paper or even cut a triangle or fold a paper. I want my kids to learn and develop. I want to see results. Since I do not give written tests,their work in class speaks for itself. Maybe my standards are too high but I follow a standard method of grading and use rubrics as well.

Art Grade Rubric

How To Get An "A" In Art

A/A+ = WOW!!! It is amazing! You showed initiative and originality.

        You did something extra special

          or - You went beyond all expectations

          or - You broke the rules in a creative way.

          Your craftsmanship is exceptional!

Excellent solution to the problem!

You "out-did" the teacher on this one! (90 to 100 points)

B/B+ = It is GOOD! It is all I ask for. You were a “self starter”.

          You did everything I requested – followed all directions the first time.

          You met all expectations – but did not push the boundaries.

          You did a very good job. Good use of design principles.

          Shows mastery of skills and craftsmanship. (80 to 89 points)

C/C+ = Well OK…. It is not up to snuff

          You did just enough to get by.

          You did minimum requirements necessary for a C – nothing more.

        You might have thrown it together? Didn’t care much for this project?

          Poor craftsmanship – lacks skill. Design principles “off”.

You did not try very hard. (70 to 79 points)

D/D+ = Woops!! It is not finished.

          You did not meet the lesson objectives

          You did not follow directions – You did not try very hard

          You forgot to finish it. OR you hurried through.

          Lacks understanding of design principles.

          Low effort – below expectations for skills. Poor craftsmanship.

          You didn’t finish -- Shall I leave your grade unfinished too? (60 to 69)

F = Big Fat O!! It is missing.

          Did you forget to put your name on it?

          Were you absent?

          Did you lose it or throw it away?

          I saw you working on it – but cannot find it now?

No effort – no participation. Poor work.

         No project – no grade. (0 to 59 points)

Use these criteria as you evaluate your own work. Just because you finish a project doesn’t mean you deserve an “A”… Study your work with the above criteria and determine your own grade. Combine with your behavior/participation grade.

When you think about the purposes of education, there are three. We're preparing kids for jobs. We're preparing them to be citizens. And we're teaching them to be human beings who can enjoy the deeper forms of beauty. The third is as important as the other two.

So next time you come and say it's just ...Art, I hope you you've learned a thing or two.