First Reflection

Izak Erekson

11 February 2017

Teaching with the Arts Reflection 1

            How has my understanding of the four different art forms changed so far this year? Well, what I have learned is about the different methods of arts integration a bit so far. I have learned that drama, for example, helps people be sympathetic and put themselves in other peoples’ shoes. I don’t think that I had thought of that before. This can be a helpful thing to know in my classroom. By having students roleplay, I can help them see others’ perspectives. I should look for opportunities to use this. My homeroom teacher gave the students roles earlier in the year as American Colonists, and had them kind of act their part as either loyalists or patriots. I have not collaborated much with her on this, but she already uses some drama integrated into her instruction.

            What have I learned about music so far? I have learned that it raises students’ scores overall. My teacher has students sing sometimes to help them remember specific things, using songs to remember the concepts, and she has them sing the Hope of America program songs sometimes as well. This is similar to my experience in Elementary school, though I also had a music class. These students have a music specialty sometimes. But, I have not collaborated with my teacher much or taught music to the students. My experience with dance is even less than this, I have not taught dance, or had students dance. There was a day when we planned to do some brain dance, and some mirroring, but we did not do this.

            Starting this next week during my aide time, the plan is for us to have the time and freedom to have large group instruction with second graders, and we plan on using the arts with these students, using this time to teach the methods and practice using them in the school.