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Fully rounded students must be able to integrate a means of education through art to gain a holistic education that incorporates all of the multiple intelligences.  "Students who are involved in the arts are more motivated, more engaged, more sensitive, and more focused, creative, and responsible.  They perform better in all aspects of school, including academic achievement." (Fowler,1996)  Arts include the visual arts, music, dance, and theater.  All of these aspects are important and can be easily incorporated into a whole curriculum to allow for students to fully develop their minds.

==Art in the Regular Classroom==
Disciplined-based arts education (DBAE) is a framework for the classroom that strives to have all students learn through the arts, such as music, theatre, dance and paint. The discipline itself does not focus on the fact that a classroom teacher needs to be skilled in dance to help the children discover the intuitive ways of learning through movement. The program loves to use art from periods to discuss history. It also looks to show that working with the arts need not always result in a performance but rather most children can learn from the process of creating art.

'''Visual Arts and Its Relation to Other Subjects'''
Visual arts are in many ways related to many of the typical subjects of public schools.   Many teachers often feel it is a hassle to create bulletin boards and other colorful displays. Teachers could use these bulletin boards as a way to integrate visual arts into their classroom.  For example, a simple way that arts could be integrated into other subjects is the teacher could take a painting that relates to a certain time period, such as a Vincent Van Gogh’s ''Starry Night'', and create lessons that relate to language arts, math, history, and science as well as incorporate art.  In language arts, they could write a story based on ''Starry Night''.  In math, they could take the years of Van Gogh’s life, and determine what year it was painted and how old it is now. In history, students could look at the importance events that were prevalent during the time that Van Gogh created ''Starry Night'' and decide if those events had directly or indirectly affected the style of the artwork. In science, students would be able to look at how stars were created.  This is one example of how artwork can be related to other subjects.
	
The visual arts have especially been shown to improve reading achievement.  By the end of the 1998-99 academic school year, test results "showed that approximately 90% of the kindergarteners  who were involved with the arts literacy strategy read on or above grade level" (Richards, 2003, p.19). The only way they can achieve this goal is by connecting concepts and parallels between these reading concepts and the arts. Students who have the opportunity to work in the visual arts, "score in the top 2 quartiles on standardized tests and have lower drop out rates than students who are not involved" (Richards, 2003, p.19). By relating lines and shapes to comprehension and words, students can better understand what they are reading and gain multifaceted talents.

Studies have also shown that the visual arts have helped students improve in other subjects. By looking at the creative applications the arts has to offer, it can help "bring curriculum elements together for enhanced learning" (Stevens, 2002, p.23).  By bringing different curriculum elements together, such as reading and art, it can have the students provide a way for students to visually depict what they are reading. Since the visual arts should be implemented into the curriculum, there are many reasons why it should become a requirement for students to graduate and go onto college.
Carole Johnson


My background is in fine art education.  I feel that it is highly important for many reasons.  A lot of the time when we are in math or science class it is hard to grasp a concept unless we have a diagram that helps us to see the idea in a more visual manner.  In the same sense, if we are able to draw something we can then break that down into further ideas and see how theories are interconnected to other subjects and equations.  This works well when teaching proportion and perspective in drawing, even with color mixing and application.

Fine art has no boundaries and can be enjoyed by all no matter the means of communication.  Since it is non-verbal for the most part, people who cannot communicate within the same language will be able to communicate through art.  There is an aspect in art for everyone to find a niche in.  Some like more 2-D type works such as drawing or painting, others enjoy working more 3-D with ceramics or sculpture, still others enjoy reading, writing, and critiquing art works.  With the integration of technology into art, many who may have not found a place in art will now share a joy in the visual world through the use of computers and video art.

Art is the one subject that encourages and supports creativity and for a student to express their individuality.  It is important for schools to facilitate students into developing themselves as responsible and cultured individuals within the community.  I feel that art class is the one place where students can really express themselves and find out who they are as an individual in this world more easily than in any other class.  Students, especially at the secondary level, need this outlet for their energy.

Another type of art is performance art, i.e theater, band and chorus. Most schools have some sort of theater and/or music department, often underappreciated and underfunded. What few people realize is the immense benefit that performance art can have. First of all, it helps students to feel apart of something as a group. Teamwork is vitally important, and there is a job for everyone, no matter how talented or untalented you are. Also, the sheer fact that performance arts take up lots of time, both before and after school, almost guarentees that students will not get into any mischief.

==PERSONAL TESTIMONIALS==

Using fine arts in the regular ed classroom is a great way to help students make connections with artists, books, other students, and teachers.  Art, in its many forms, is thought-provoking and motivating.  I use the illustrations from a story to help my students make a connection with how a character might be feeling and also why the artist might have depicted a character in a certain way. I use artwork and music to help set the mood I want to create in my classroom.  Theater is another way to incorporate fine art in the classroom. It helps students with fluency, character connections, and understanding the mood and setting of a story. (M. Bear)

Art is so important in the education of a child.I am lucky to teach in the city of Chicago where  a teacher has the opportunity to take the students to the Art Institute and different museums.As a computer teacher, one also has the great resource of the internet at one's hands. Many museums are on the internet and the students can take a virtual tour.I hope everyone can incorporate the wonders of art into their teaching. A.Harty

"I am currently a third grade teacher at Barkstall Elementary School, a school where we pride ourself on academics through the arts.  
'''The following is our school's mission statement:'''

''"Barkstall is a vibrant place where students, teachers, parents and the community come together to nurture student success through integrated Arts Education. It is our goal to prepare each student to become a responsible participant to our diverse, changing society.
''To this end we are committed to:
''Promote student learning and academic achievement. 
''Enhance social skills, physical development and emotional well-being.'' 
''Encourage critical thinking and problem solving.'' 
''Stimulate creativity.'''' '''' 

"Teachers at our school strive to incorporate arts into the curriculum, often through the implementation of multiple intelligences.  I believe these efforts prevail in the world of education because they enhance the school experience, making learning enjoyable and thus, creating life-long learners.  We express the arts through performances (each classroom teacher does an additional performance to the one put on by our Music teacher); our third graders are currently working on a Poetry Cafe (done 3 times/year).  Experiences like this give students confidence in presenting while making educational opportunities rich with meaning.  We use visual arts and often incorporate some element in math and writing projects.  Our Art teacher does cultural units each year that are to be commended.  We always have an artist-in-residence for a portion of the year.  Last year, 4th graders created a mural for our hallway.  This year, a movement specialist aligned ideas of fluency, support, and focus needed in writing into the modality of dance expression.  The movement specialist has also used similar techniques to act out functions of Simple Machines in our 3rd grade Science Unit.  The arts are truly a way to embrace the creativity in our students as well as keeping teachers refreshed and at their best level of performance."  -Heidi M. Savoca

"Although I am a junior high math teacher and former technology teacher, I am a firm believer in the importance of music and art education in elementary and high schools.  As a child, my parents felt it was important to expose me educationally to the arts.  Every Saturday when I was in junior high, I took the bus to the Art Institute where I was enrolled in their children’s art program.  I also was a member of the school band in elementary school, orchestra in high school and took piano lessons.  I college, every elective I took was in art or music.  I agree that virtually every subject can be enriched through the use of art.  I use art quite a bit in teaching 8th grade math, particularly in geometry.  It’s extremely beneficial to visual learners, and everyone enjoys it.  One of our area high school has a very unique biology/art combination class, and I was quite impressed with their work making 3-D cells and other anatomical art projects.  Fortunately, our art teacher is very supportive, working with the students on incorporating art into the curricular topics we are covering."  Pat Reed

Here is our school's website: 

 http://www.champaignschools.org/index2.php?header=./barkstall/&file=index

"I have seen art used as a classroom management tool with students with behavior disorders.  Instead of writing their thoughts and feelings, they express themselves through art.  This is especially helpful during times when they need to be separated from their classmates because of anger issues.  Drawing or painting helps them calm down and gives them an outlet to express themselves."


"I had never taken a real art class until I studied abroad in Italy.  While there all of my classes pertained to some sort of art- photography, drawing fashion design, etc.  i am so glad that I had the opportunity to experience this.  I would have never taken an art class in my college career had it not been for these classes.  i realized how hard it was to draw well and am still involved in photography."


"One very important pointer as an art teacher is absolutely 
no turning your back to the class. The teacher must be able to see the whole  class while walking around the room and as teacher is helping each individual student. So when setting up the room you try to keep that in mind. By seeing everyone and everything that goes on, you know and your students know that you have control over the room. -J. Huh, art education major"

"I am a fifth grade teacher at Bottenfield Elementary School in Champaign, IL. I love incorporating art into each unit that I teach. I remember my art education classes at the University of Illinois. They were fantastic! I looked forward to those classes like no others. I see the same thing with my students. They love art!!"  -Valerie Munds-

"As an educator it saddens me that so many schools cut or scale back art programs.  I believe that art offers children so much enrichment that other subjects lack.  Students can spend time developing fine motor skills.  They can explore their immagination.  Students can discover there talents and who they are by encorporating art into their education.  A look back at history will show that major events can be traced to changes in art. Even our history can be seen through art." C.yeoman

"I am in music education so I am a big supporter of Arts Education.  Arts are a great way to build self-efficacy in students because they are doing something they enjoy and they are able to succeed in it.  If a student gets motivated to learn in one subject area it can easily transfer to other subject areas in which I have seen some students do.  That is one way Arts Education is valuable as it strikes an interest in learning for a child."  -Timothy Hatcher

"A volunteer art program called AVIC (Art Volunteers in the Classroom)exists in our district.  Volunteers take district commissioned art work into the elementary classroom each month and educate students about the art, artist and technique.  The students really enjoy this program.  The volunteer can tailor their presentation any way they choose, but often times the children are given the opportunity to try the technique of the artist presented."  ~RSmall

"There was a huge debate on dropping some art at our school this year.  It raised a few feathers, and created a big debate over the issue.  In turn the Art teachers made a couple presentations which really allowed the whole community to learn about the essentials of having Art in School.  We ended up saving the programs, and going a different direction to save money.  Dropping your programs such as Art is not the answer to saving money.  Students learn a lot more than drawing while in Art class."  – Dale Donner 

"Even though I am not an art teacher, I will be a teacher of a similarly debated program within the schools, agriculture. I feel that art, agriculture, and music are essential parts of a child's education. Without the opportunity to enroll in one of these classes, a student may never find what they are good at, which will in turn decrease their self-confidence. I fully support these programs and hope all of them are offered in the school I teach." Holly

"Although I teach in a low-income community, I am very happy that our school has not had to worry about cutting certain programs like art and music. For a school that does not have tons of money, the arts programs available to our students are excellent. They get art as an elective, they can join concert band or orchestra (newly implemented program this year), or they can join the Art club. I think students need these creative outlets because classes like these help to shape them overall. I try to incorporate the arts into my Spanish and language arts curriculum whenever possible. I believe that all children have different gifts and they must be nurtured. One recent art/reading project I did was with my gifted students in my language arts class. The students visualized the town of Maycomb (from To Kill a Mockingbird) since the class was reading this book and then based on the details given in the story, created a map of the town. They drew and colored (and in one case, collaged) the houses, buildings, and characters and then glued them onto the large, butcher paper. The students then decided as a whole group how they wanted to create the streets and scenery. They decided to use paint. The students had a blast mixing colors, using sponge-painting and finger-painting, and enjoyed simply using the different art supplies available to them to create their map. Even though they are eighth graders, they had a blast doing this - especially with the finger-painting! I know I am going to find more ways to incorporate art into my curriculum in the future. If it hadn't have been for the art classes I took at the University of Illinois in my years as an undergrad for my major in elementary education, I probably would not be so thrilled and/or motivated to incorporate art. However, these were excellent classes where I learned new techniques and felt that I was, indeed, a successful, creative artist. My own confidence in art was boosted and because of it, I am excited to have my students do art in the classes I teach." ~K. Kleckauskas

"As a music teacher, I am an ardant supporter of art education.  Because the arts are such an important part of educating the whole person, it is imparitive that we become art educations biggest supporters.  If we don't educate the public on the importance of arts education, then it is unlikely that anyone else will.  Bring art up out into the open by inviting "important" people to your concerts, plays on showings.  Make sure that your community knows how important the arts are to the whole community.  This will help keep funding and keep the arts in the schools."  A. Dorough

"Art is a vital part of a students education.  Not only can students learn form and function, but art teachers can supplement a general teachers education by incorporating projects that fit within a theme.  This doesn't always even have to happen in art class, but just the suggestion of ideas.  As a music teacher, we work side by side with art teachers in developing fine arts classes that inspire students to achieve through non-traditional means of education." - W.Rank

"If it had not been for teachers like Mrs. Wittrup, Mrs. Estep, or the nun who taught art classes during my educational career, I am not sure that I would be able teach my students to appreciate visual art as well as I do.  Art is an opportunity for students, like me, to process and express their innermost thoughts through the medium of artistic materials. Students who do not perform well in other academic areas but are gifted with artistic abilities can feel successful and able to contribute to the learning environment. I believe that there is a freedom in art that allows individual the opportunity to create new ways of looking at the world around us.  I love art education because it helps students to be their own creative selves." ~C. Hatchett

With the infliction of NCLB  on our nation, art education and other electives might be sadly phasing out in our society unless something is done to change it. I feel that art education is the basis around many of the subjects taught. Students are becoming more and more visual learners and are influenced by the media and images that bombard our televisions, magazines and billboards. How are students supposed to understand what they are viewing without art or visual literacy? Not only do students learn how to problem solve and think critically, but they are also able to experience an arena that does not involve standardized testing.~ Elliot Eisner, who is considered one of the "grand pubas" of art education has stated 10 ways the arts teach. [http://www.naea-reston.org/tenlessons.html]C. McCulley

I currently teach Elementary Visual Art and am saddened to see some changes occurring in the public schools that could drastically change the future of arts in schools.  I feel that arts education (visual or otherwise) is extremely important to a child and that if these courses are compromised it will severely impact the quality and variety of education a child receives.  Children are exposed to the arts at an ever-increasing rate in things such as TV, music, video games, the internet etc; yet virtually daily standardized tests, stress on reading and math scores, and constant other classroom woes are putting a crimp at the rate children learn about the arts.  In addition to this, the schedules and classroom space issues in elementary buildings are making it very difficult for quality lessons to be taught when time, supplies and even a lack of an art or music room are being dealt with. E. Bostrom

"As a high school art teacher, I am given the opportunity every day to open the eyes of young adults to the visual world around them. So many times, they leave the class with a better understanding of how the arts effect their daily lives and what art really means to them. Art also gives them the opportunity to explore their creativity. So many kids and adults alike tell me how they are not a creative person. Art gives people the opportunity to practice the skill of being creative. Whether that student will go on to be a working artist or not does not change the fact that in their life htey will be asked to do something quicker, faster or better than someone else. And if their ability to do that lands them a job or gives them a raise, that creativity is justified and art is alive and well in that person's life." D. Whipple
----

==LESSON PLANS==
This is a great art lesson site. It features quality lessons for k-12 in many different mediums. [http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/lessons/lessons.html The Incredible Art Department]

Some good lesson plans for early elementary students at [http://www.kinderart.com/ KinderArt]

Another great resource with lessons and applicable art materials at [http://www.dickblick.com/lessonplans/ Dick Blick]

Fun lesson plan page with material ideas at [http://www.crayola.com/educators/index.cfm?n_id=5 Crayola]

Note:  Though these are less than mediocre lesson plans from the [http://www.nytimes.com NY Times], the ideas can be easily modified and adapted to the teacher's and students' needs.  Also, the teacher can develop a strong sense of cross-curricular learning/community-centered learning.

1.  [http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20040716friday.html Art Mystery]

2.  [http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20031205friday.html Autobiographical Art]

3.  [http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20000804friday.html Making Up Is Hard to Do]

4.  [http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20000225friday.html Book Smarts]

==REFERENCES==

Click [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art here] for more information on the arts.

Fowler, C. Strong Arts, Strong Schools. Oxford Press: New York, 1996.

Richards, A.G. "Arts and Academic Achievement in Reading: Functions and
Implications." Art Education: The Journal of the National Art Education Association 56
(2003): 19-23.  

Stevens, K. (2002). "School as Studio: Learning Through the Arts." Kappa Delta Pi
Record, v39 no1, p.20-23.


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