Mrs. Rose's Art Class
Welcome to 6th Grade Art! Our first unit of study is all about symbols. For their first assignment, students are asked to use a minimum of 10 symbols to introduce themselves to me and their classmates. I love this assignment because I am able to learn so much about students. On this page you will find a Unit template, path to learning worksheets, and in the near future, the project rubric, and my example.
“To create one’s own world takes courage.” Georgia O’Keeffe
“To practice any art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow. So do it.” Kurt Vonnegut
“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” Pablo Picasso
6 Facts That Show the True Importance of the Arts
1. Nearly 90 percent of people believe the arts should be taught in grades K-12.
It’s difficult to get 90 percent of people to agree on anything. An overwhelming majority of people agree the arts should be taught in elementary, middle, and high school.
2. The arts benefit students across a variety of subject areas.
A great place to see this is in the data from schools in the Turnaround Arts program. Between 2011 and 2014, those schools have experienced a 22.5 percent and 12.6 percent improvement in math and reading proficiency. And did you know Nobel laureates are almost three times more likely than other scientists to participate in the arts?
3. The academic benefits of the arts are undeniable.
Students engaged in arts learning have higher GPAs and lower dropout rates. And their standardized test scores are higher as well.
4. The arts have a social impact.
University of Pennsylvania researchers have demonstrated that a high concentration of the arts in a city leads to higher civic engagement and a more connected community. Neighborhoods with a vital cultural life also enjoy “spillover effects”—including stronger community and civic engagement; better health, schooling, and personal security.
5. The arts teach the skills employers are looking for.
According to a new report from the World Economic Forum, it is clear that creativity at work is going to be one of the most important and in-demand skills in the next five years. Creativity is on the list along with skills such as complex problem solving, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence. Who can teach those skills better than the arts?
6. The arts help our mental health.
With so much concern about anxiety and students’ mental health, it is important to note how the arts can help. Research from the University of Western Australia suggests exposure to the arts for just two hours every week can improve mental health and overall well-being. Whether active (hands-on work or studio practice) or passive (viewing or discussing art), the benefits are undeniable.
The arts enrich all of us, and we need to do all we can to build an appreciation for that fact. Whether talking to students, families, colleagues, or administration, data and research can help you make the case to support what we do in the art room.
https://www.theartofed.com/2018/03/23/6-facts-that-show-the-true-importance-of-the-arts/