Art Project #16: Batik

What a fun project. This was a fun activity that could easily be done at home. There are so many neat designs and patterns that could be done. I think my design turned out really neat. I like my color choices. If I could change anything I would expand my design to cover more of the shirt. When designing my shirt we were assigned to do a repeated pattern or something. I chose this floral design and I think it turned out pretty cool. I really want to look into Batik more because I think it is really neat. I recently got into the hobby of doing Henna tattoos and this is kind of similar but this happens to be on a shirt. With christmas coming close I think this would be a original and unique gift to give. I really enjoyed this project.

Art Project #15: Maps

To be honest this was probably my least favorite project. I didn't enjoy going to the art museum and didn't get the point or most of what she was talking about. When we were given this project I contemplated forever about what I could possibly do. I thought about where I am right now and what has been going on in my life. I am a college student living in an apartment with room mates. Thinking about small things then the ideas started to spark. I thought about the good and bad things and what my map is in my mind. I enjoy lots of color and flowers so I experimented and this is what turned out. I like to travel and miss the ocean so I tied bits of that in there. I think what she was trying to get us to understand or what I got from the lesson is that we all have a map of our individual lives. She wanted us to relate to our surroundings and make a connection. So I did the best I could to relate and think about my life as a map and here is the finished product.

Art Project #14: Special Wire Sculptures

It is always important to think about those special students that you may have in your classroom and plan accordingly to accommodate their needs. I have worked with special needs youth in the past and let me tell you they truly are special and wonderful people. Art can be a wonderful tool for them where they can make and escape from their disability and explore new things through creativity. I was a deaf person for this activity and this truly helped me realize how blessed I am to be healthy and hearing. Other people sitting at my table were blind and I could see their frustration and struggle doing even the simplest of tasks like cutting with scissors. Being deaf I could see what I was doing and was able to move accordingly but others could not so it became my job to help those who were blind. It was very tedious to go back and forth cutting wire and grabbing materials, I found myself getting a bit frustrated with those people. Because I was running around doing things I did not concentrate on my own project and felt that it didn't turn out so well because I was frustrated by the end and didn't want to try my best to work on it. After I realized that if these people were really blind should I have let myself get as frustrated and distracted as I did. Even though I do enjoy working with special needs children I don't think I am patient enough to work with them full time. But it is important to realize and know that I will have special kids in my future classroom. It is helpful to not just learn and know about them but really experience what it is like for them. This was a great activity and truly helped me think about and understand what these people go through everyday. I started my project with this awesome reindeer sculpture in mind. But because I got distracted too much from my project and became frustrated it turned out to be a swan. But the point of this activity was not to create a masterpiece sculpture it was the experience that mattered most and I came to a new realization. 

Art Project #13: African Masks

I love traveling and learning about different cultures. This among many other projects would be a great one to do with kids that also involves them learning about the world. There are so many fascinating art forms around the world to discover and explore. I think researching looking at examples and learning about the history behind these masks helped with creativity and discovering what to do for your own mask. It is amazing how a simple thing like color have such different meanings. I wish I could have done research before doing the project to get better ideas. I think I would change the mouth on my mask it looks a bit odd and also the shape and height of my eyes. I would have likes to add less color and more symbols and research it to make it have meaning. All over this was a neat and creative project that can be done in so many different ways.

Art Project #12: Coil/Pinch Pots

I have done ceramics and made pots in the past but most were done on a wheel. Not working with clay in a long time it was very difficult to get used to and shape. I found this project a bit of a challenge. When it comes to art I am more of a visual drawing and painting type of person. Working with clay making sculptures or doing anything 3D is out of my element. This would be a neat project for kids to do that they would really enjoy. It can also be a soothing/stress relieving activity just molding and working with clay. But on the down side it would also be a messy activity and may be one to do with older kids. I would change the these by making the edges more defined and smooth they are fairly crooked. Also when doing the stamps I did some with a lot of detail and the ones with less detail seemed to turn out better because they were simple and printed in the clay better. I also would work on the glaze making it smoother and even thicker. 

African Masks- Nov. 15th

• When researching African Masks and looking at all the vast and unique designs I found it interesting how old these masks are. There are many different tribes and beliefs in Africa and each tribe has different characteristics. Although each tribe is different many are alike in that they use masks. They may use them for spiritual beliefs and ceremonies. They use different colors, patterns, symbols, and designs to represent different things in their culture. 
• Masks are usually worn in three different ways: vertically covering the face: as helmets, encasing the entire head, and as crest, resting upon the head, which was commonly covered by material as part of the disguise. African masks often represent spirit and it is strongly believed that the spirit of the ancestors possesses the wearer.
• During celebrations, initiations, crop harvesting, war preparation, peace and trouble times, African masks are worn by a chosen or initiated dancer. 

This information was found on: (http://www.rebirth.co.za/African_mask_history_and_meaning.htm)

Here are some masks that I found to be really interesting and neat:

Reflection #9: Using technology in the Art Classroom

“Many people warn of the possible harmful effects of using technology in the classroom. Will children lose their ability to relate to other human being? Will they become dependent on technology to learn? Will they find inappropriate materials? The same was probably said with the invention of printing press, radio, and television. All of these can be used inappropriately, but all of them have given humanity unbounded access to information which can be turned into knowledge. Appropriately used—interactively and with guidance—they have become tools for the development of higher order thinking skills.” (2)

Here are some clever ways to use technology in the classroom: (1)

• Having kids photograph their artwork and create digital portfolios
• Teaching photography techniques
• Creating an online art gallery
• Making a blog/website where students can participate and share their ideas and work
• Researching modern artists
• Using the internet and media is a wonderful source for learning just about anything. You can search artists and see images of their work and learn about their technique. The information is unlimited.
• There are many art museums and neat places to take fieldtrips
• There are many places to visit and discover and you don’t always have to stay in the classroom. Use local events, schools, shops as much as possible it is easy to take what is near for granted and why waste a great learning experience.
• Teach about careers in digital art
• There are many career opportunities and ways for kids to be creative. From photography, being an artist, sculpture, and graphic designers.
• Create artwork about technology
• Kids love their computers, ipods, music, movies, and media. These kids are so technically advanced, take what they know and like and incorporate it into art. Look at Andy Warhol for example and his media images.

Resources: 

1. (“Using Technology in the Elementary Art Classroom”, Becca Swanson, June 2010, www.associatedcontent.com)
2. (“Technology in Education”, www.newhorizons.org)
3. (“Emphasis Art”, Frank Wochiak and Robert D. Clements)

Art Project #11: Scratchboard

I greatly enjoyed this project and really got into it. I think there are so many different creative ways to do this project. This gives the student an opportunity to be creative with their colors and design because they can do it themselves. I am glad that we were able to create our own scratchboards because I think it turned out really neat. I would do this project just for fun at home because I enjoyed it so much. You could change it by having students use their names or use spelling words or even do shapes. The ideas are endless. I like how it was also more of an open ended project and we could be creative with our letters and design. Each person's personality and style really shines through their picture.

Reflection #8: Age Appropriate Activities

• Planning on age is an important thing for children’s learning. As an art teacher you want to keep open communication with the regular teacher and keep up to date on their curriculum and subjects being taught. There are so many resources and ways to incorporate everyday learning into art projects. 
• Each state core curriculum (the rainbow chart) is very useful in knowing what each grade and age should be able to accomplish and learn.
• Integrating the lessons is also something very important so you can provide the children with the best lesson that meets their learning needs. Preparation is important in an art class and each lesson should be thought out and planned to provide the best success for the class.
• Each age group is different in their knowledge and what they are capable of doing.  Providing an activity at the children’s skill level may be challenging at first but once you become aware of what the children are capable of you may think of better ideas to challenge them.

Mrsbrownsart.com has been a very useful website for me when creating these lesson plans. She gives great examples of age appropriate activities. I chose to do this lesson on 5^th grade. This seems to be a more challenging grade because they are getting to be fairly advanced in their psychomotor skills, cognitive and affective. They have had many psychomotor skills developed and things like; drawing, creating things, and putting things together seem to easier for them and their creations are more advanced. It is important to improve and work on those skills because they still can be better. They have progressed enough and understand enough that they can create and do many things on their own. They are more creative, imaginary and independent and begin to develop their own unique styles.

Mrsbrownsart.com has a clever project the 1–point Perspective City. Students learn about horizon line which can be used along with the vanishing point to create a more accurate image depicting space. Students will create a series of triangles. Then they create a horizon line behind the rectangles. Then they chose their vanishing point somewhere along that line. Using rulers they complete their drawings and even add small details to make it more realistic. This project is more advanced and suit the fifth grade level. It looks at depth and contrast and space where when younger they just draw on a flat surface. Children at fifth grade level will be able to determine the differences in perspective and drawing what is more realistic based on their knowledge.

Resources:

1. ("Emphasis Art", frank Wochiak and Robert D. Clements)

2. (www.mrsbrownsart.com)

3. The Utah State Art Core Curriculum- Rainbow Chart

Reflection #7 Art Vs. Craft

Art Vs. Craft

ART:

• Art is both traditional and contemporary(1),(2)
• Generally about aesthetics rather than function(2)
• Whether the artist consciously or subconsciously has ‘something to say’, it is there within the finished piece(3) 
• Art has more emphasis on process and the result of exploring and experimentation with materials(3)
• For Kids:
• Children’s art projects are more kid directed and focus on the process
• The goal is for the children to express an idea or emotion in the final outcome(4)

CRAFT:

• In Craft, one employs learned skills to accomplish something. Technical knowledge is used to arrive at an optimal outcome (2)
• Craftwork is skilled work: any kind of craft must involve the application of a technique.  A craftsman has tools at command (3)
• Crafts traditionally were about using a handmade process to achieve an end result. It’s a leisure activity rather than a means to an end (2)
• For Kids:
• Children’s art projects are more kid directed and focus on the process. The goal is for the children to express an idea or emotion in the final outcome (4)

I think that both art and craft are important but feel that art is more important for the child's creativity and learning process in school. Craft seems more instructional and more for the kids to mimic and follow directions which can be used for things like holiday activities. Craft is also considered something you master and become very good at later in life but not as children quiet yet. Art is about expression and creativity which is what is focused on in an art class and when doing integrated work in the classroom and should be tied into curriculum. Both arts and crafts should be incorporated but for the most part art should be the main focus.

References:

1. ("Emphasis Art", frank Wochiak and Robert D. Clements)

2. ( "The Difference Between Art and Craft",  (2008), tanglecrafts.wordpress.com)

3. (" Art vs. Craft: Teacher Art Exchange", (2000), www.getty.edu/education/teacherartexchange)

4. ( "The Difference Between Kids Arts and Crafts", (2010), Tony Kummer, www.ministry-to-children.com)

Art Project #10: Stary Night From My Window

I am a huge admirer of Van Gogh's. Not just for his fame and popularity I have always loved his unique style and interesting brush strokes. His work is truly moving and beautiful. When we were assigned this project I was very excited to do it. I chose to use the view from my home in Pleasant Grove's window. I have the most lovely view of the mountains and the sky especially at night. I tried to experiment and sort of mimic Vincent's style when drawing the stars and the moon. The way he paints gives the painting so much life and texture so I tried to do the same and exaggerate what is reality like he does. I like the way my stars turned out with swirls of color. If I could change anything it would be the moon I would give it less color because the pastels blended too much and made it look a bit messy. I would figure out a way for the moon to stand out above all else but without almost looking like a sun. I would also when using watercolor make it much darker so it looks more like a night time sky. This was probably my favorite project so far and I really had fun creating and experimenting with Van Gogh.

Art Project #9: Watercolor Taste

I think this project was a fun and clever idea. We all brought snacks and were asked to paint with watercolor the emotion of what the food taste like with color. For chocolates and rich foods like brownies I painted deep rich dark colors like blues and purple. For candy I painted lighter more vibrant colors. For salsa I painted a mix of bright colors like green, yellow, pink, and red because of the mixes of flavor. If I could change one thing I would experiment more with different ways of texturizing the watercolor and would try different foods to show more expression. Overall this was a fun assignment. 

Reflection #6: What motivates me as a learner

When I was younger I didn't always like school. I struggled greatly in reading and felt discouraged and frustrated with my self.  But in fourth grade I had the most amazing teacher who truly cared for me and wanted me to succeed. She made that extra effort to help me learn and grow. She was truly passionate and enthusiastic and strongly believed in what she did as a teacher. She knew she had the power to influence someone's life and help them gain a love for learning for their future. I can not imagine what my life would be like if I still struggled and did not learn to overcome those trials. Without her compassion and love toward me I know I may not be where I am today in school. 

Half way through junior high a light turned on in my head to work hard in school and do the best I can. I motivated myself to do my best and I was a happier person because I worked so hard and challenged myself.  What motivates me now as a college student learner is my will to succeed and do the best I can in life. I am here in school to work hard and make something for myself and for my future. I think because of the people who supported me and helped me is what made me have motivation and want to be a teacher. I want to be one of those teachers that shows such love and compassion shines for those little minds of my future children to grow and gain a love for knowledge.  Also to help those children discover themselves and their uniqueness. I want them to find importance and know what they are good at and help them in things they struggle. I truly believe that you can influence someone's life for the better and especially children at a young age to gain a love for knowledge and discovery.

We are all inventors, each sailing out on a voyage of discovery, guided each by a private chart, of which there is no duplicate. The world is all gates, all opportunities.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Art Project #8: Color Wheel

We were asked to paint a color wheel using only the primary colors mixing them to make the rest of the colors. I think this project will be a great classroom resource that I would like to hold onto and I think that was Maele's intention when assigning this project. I think each color had emotional value and things that represent it. I chose for the primary colors to paint a design that represents those colors. I think the more eye catching and colorful it is the more likely people will pay attention to it. I added some simple definitions explaining; primary, secondary, tertiary and complimentary colors. 

Art Project #7: Visual Culture

I have never been a sports fan and have never enjoyed watching sports. I have tried to sit down and understand what is going on and try to enjoy myself but I truly am just too bored and baffled watching it.  It has come to my attention recently how big of an industry sports especially NFL football is. I don't really understand as too why so much money goes into  people throwing around a ball and tackling each other. I don't really understand why so much money is spent and these players get payed ridiculous amounts to spend on material things. It is actually kind of sad to think that so much money goes into something so silly when it could go to a much better cause. Maybe I will never understand it but a lot of people especially guys truly enjoy watching these sports and get so consumed by it. I can't go to school, go to the store, turn on the TV or computer without seeing or hearing something about football or some game. I decided to do this visual culture project because the NFL is something very prominent in our culture and has meaning to be because I think about it a lot. I chose to use red, blue, silver, gold, and black; more patriotic colors because it is part of american culture so the colors are symbolic. I especially chose to print in silver and gold representing the money spent in the NFL. 

Reflection #5: Artist Statement

Here are some good ways to write an artist statement. Reviewing questions and ways of writing with the class is a great way to teach them. Showing examples of good and bad statements may help the student see and improve on their own statements. Giving specific rules and guidelines to follow helps the students write a accurate statement. Especially with younger kids giving specific questions for them to answer like; What do you think you were best at? What do you think you could improve on? What was the hardest part of this assignment? etc...

Here are some great Ideas I found:

Your artist's statement can be a moving testament to your creativity and integrity. The expression of this commitment will vary, but the effectiveness of your artist's statement stems from the authority with which you write it. (1)

1. Take five minutes and think about why you do what you do. How did you get into this work? How do you feel when work is going well? What are your favorite things about your work? Jot down short phrases that capture your thoughts. Don't worry about making sense or connections. The more you stir up at this point, the richer the stew. (1)

2. Make a list of words and phrases that communicate your feelings about your work and your values. Include words you like, words that make you feel good, words that communicate your values or fascinations. Be loose. Be happy. Be real. Think of these as potential seasonings for your stew. You don't have to choose which ones to use just yet, so get them all out of the cupboard. (1) 

3. Answer these questions as simply as you can. Your answers are the meat and potatoes of your stew. Let them be raw and uncut for now.(1)

What is your favorite tool? Why?

                 .  What is your favorite material? Why?

                 .  What do you like best about what you do?

                 .  What do you mean when you say that a piece has turned out really well?

                 .  What patterns emerge in your work? Is there a pattern in the way you select materials? In the way you use color, texture or light?

                 .  What do you do differently from the way you were taught? Why? (1)

• Make "I" statements, rather than "you" statements. Talk about what your art does for you, not what it's supposed to do for the readers. This doesn't mean that you start every sentence with "I," but rather that you respect people's autonomy and allow them to respond to your art as they wish. (2)

1. (“How to Write and Use and Artist’s Statement” Molly Gordon, mollygordon.com )

2. ( “Your Artist Statement: Explaining the Unexplainable” http://www.artbusiness.com/artstate.html)

3. (“Emphasis Art”, Frank Wochiak and Robert D. Clements)

Art Project #6: Bug Collograph Prints

This was a create your own insect project.  My bug was inspired by a fly head with butterfly antenna and praying mantis arms. I specifically tried to add texture to the eyes to bring those out. This was an activity I think kids would really enjoy and this would help them think for themselves and be creative. I have always enjoyed print making and it is always fun to see the final results after printing it with ink.

Art Project #5: Chinese Brush Painting and English Calligraphy

This was the Chinese Brush Painting project and we painted bamboo. It was interesting the way we were told to hold our brush and the way we did are paint strokes. It all depends on the pressure of the brush the way it will turn out. Maele gave good examples like butterfly pressure and elephant pressure a good way to explain it to kids so they can understand. This technique was not how I was used to painting but it was fun for me to try new things and ways of painting. When practicing on the larger paper I felt more confident and it turned out much better than the rice paper. The paint didn't take very well to the rice paper and tended to bleed. I like the Idea of having an artist signature and I think that I am going to find a way from now on to sign my name and make it my own. 

Art Project #4: Contour Line Drawings

This was a contour line drawing project. We were asked to use a viewfinder to draw objects. This was a good way in helping draw perspective correctly. It was challenging in that I was tempted to draw the entire object and not just what I could see in the viewfinder. It also bugged me that I couldn't shade anything, I was really tempted to darken some spots to add contrast. 

Reflection #4: Six Assessment Strategies in Arts Education

I think that art criticism and what was talked about in the previous reflection go hand in hand. The book states; “Our goal in art citicism is to ensure that students use language of art appropriately. Any inquiry strategy will work so long as the student is motivated to persist long enough to get beneath the surface.” (1)One of the main points I feel in art education is for the student to look beneath the surface and grasp that deeper meaning and emotion art can portray. While the students grasp the concepts and meaning of art it can be very challenging to find ways of assessing the student and making sure they gain knowledge from what they were taught. Art is a tricky subject because some will be more talented than others but some will put more effort so you can not judge on the piece itself. 

Here are summative and formative strategies I found in assessing arts education:

Summative:

• A standardized test is a commonly used summative assessment. This is not normally used for art assessment but can be used to test general knowledge of specific curriculum taught throughout the year. Common forms like true/false, multiple choice, matching and written response questions could be asked. Questions about volume, contrast, texture, and color. General basic art questions. (2)
• Many textbooks include questions to use for a summative assessment based on the instruction provided. (4)
• Visual examples say you are studying certain artists’ or art types throughout the year. Giving visual examples and having the students identify, define, or write about it is a way of assessing knowledge. (4)
• For a final grade it is important to look at the students progress throughout the year. Say a student was consistent in doing work and followed all instruction that student should be rewarded. But what about the student who did poorly but improved increasingly later that student should also be rewarded but maybe not as much as the other student.

Formative:

• Observations- Observations assist teachers in gathering evidence of student learning to inform instructional planning. This evidence can be recorded and used as feedback for students about their learning or as anecdotal data shared with them during conferences. (3)
• Self and Peer Assessment- helps to create a learning community within a classroom. Students who can reflect while engaged in metacognitive thinking are involved in their learning. (3)
• Criteria and Goal Setting- with students engages them in instruction and the learning process by creating clear expectations. In order to be successful, students need to understand and know the learning target/goal and the criteria for reaching it. (3)

1. (“Emphasis Art”, Frank Wochiak and Robert D. Clements)
2. (“Summative Assessment of Learning”, Jennifer Fenn, eHow.com)
3. (“Formative Assessment in the Classroom”, Catherine Garrison and Michael Ehringhaus)
4. ( “Tips, Tools, and Technology for Educators”, Learningtoday.com)

Reflection #3: Art Criticism Methods

I think it is very important to teach kids to analyze and criticize the things they do and what they observe. Successful criticism isn’t just pointing out the good and bad in a piece of art it is more finding a deeper meaning to what is being observed. The book stated this fact very well; “Any inquiry strategy will work so long as the student is motivated to persist long enough to get beneath the surface.”(1)  

Here are some criticism questions and exercises you could use when assessing and having the students critique art:

• Say in class you are focusing on learning about certain shapes or perhaps about lines. You may ask the students to observe pieces and ask them to identify some of the similarities throughout the work. Ask them what it reminds them of and if there is a certain experience they can relate to the piece (metaphor and analogy). (2)
• I think that if the kids are unaware of the individual who made the piece they are less likely to be biased towards what they say and do. Kids will be more likely to say things about their friend’s artwork thus leaving certain students out. As the teacher you want everyone to be included and express their opinion and thought process. You could ask some questions like; How are the elements of art (color, shape, line, texture, space, form, value) and the principles of design (balance, contrast, emphasis, movement/rhythm, unity, variety) used in this artwork? What do you notice about the artist’s choice of materials? What grabs your attention in the work? Refer to your first impression. Do you see any relationship to the things you listed during the description stage? Ask questions that are more directed towards the artist’s creativity and uniqueness.(3)
• Another is to display each art piece for the students to see clearly. Give a time limit to how long the pieces will be displayed. After the time is up take and hide the pieces so they cannot see them. Ask the kids to explain with detail what they saw and describe the piece using descriptive words. To make it simpler you could have children trade pieces so they are observing and describing one piece.
• By grades five and six students are comfortable and aware that critiquing is a positive experience. Ask the students what they feel they could improve on. A single person is chosen by the student to give a suggestion for improvement. The artist should consider the criticism and either agree or disagree with the observation. They should explain why they agree/disagree. This helps the kids analyze and take constructive criticism. It is important for the teacher to explain before hand and give examples of what the students’ should/should not say to make it an appropriate and productive activity.(4)

Sources:

1. ( “Emphasis Art”, Frank Wochiak and Robert D. Clements)

2. ( " Teaching Students to Critique", Joyce Payne, ARTSEDGE, 2007)

3. ( " How to Critique and Write about Art", clackhi.nclack.k12.or.us)

4. ( "The Elementary Critique: Talking about Children's Art", Farlex, Thefreelibrary.com)

Art Project #3: Self Portrait

I'll be honest when we started this assignment I just began drawing away not really listening to the instructions of how to properly do the assignment. Maele had told us to think of each eye/nose/mouth not as it is but as lines and shapes. I didn't really think about it in that way and then I became really frustrated because my drawings weren't turning out the way I wanted them too. So I went home and I started  over with a whole new photo. I began drawing as shapes and lines and then when I was done it turned out much better. I learned a lot from picture two about perspective and shapes of each feature and what to change in the next drawing. I changed my jaw line which made me more identifiable and went into great detail with shading which really gave my picture depth and character. Drawing from a grid also helped with perspective and drawing each line and shape. This assignment was very challenging and time consuming but I am very happy with my result picture. 

Art Project #2: Eight Designs and Picasso Head

Eight Designs-For this project we were asked to draw a small and a large texture. It was fairly challenging to figure out how to draw a texture that is normally something you feel. I chose fish scales as my small texture. Envisioning the texture and what fish scales would feel like in my mind has a very definite texture and feel. For my large texture I envisioned my grandmothers wallpaper around her home. I remember running my hands along the wallpaper and I wanted to draw that. I found this design I really liked. 

Picasso Head- 

I really enjoyed the picasso head project. I think it would be a fun assignment to incorporate with kids. It is a clever and creative idea. When drawing the eight designs there are a few things I wish I had done differently. When we were told we could be creative and change the pattern and design I was glad to hear that. I like the way mine turned out. The background took me an extra long time and I put in a lot of effort drawing it. The things I like best is the flower design in the face I like how it pops out and looks really unique. If I could change one thing it would be my colored pencil pressure. I think it would have looked much better if I didn't press as hard.

Reflection #2: Why Teach Art?

• In this modern educational system that is strapped for money and increasingly ruled by standardized test scores the arts seem to be the last thing on their minds in fact the arts are being cut back in schools across the country. (1) In a recent study of several classes in Boston-area schools, they found that arts programs teach a specific set of thinking skills rarely addressed elsewhere in the curriculum. Such skills include visual- spatial abilities, reflection, self-criticism, and willingness to experiment and learn from mistakes. All are important to numerous careers, but are widely ignored by today's standardized tests. (1)
• One of the things mentioned in the book about the importance of teaching art that I never thought of and found interesting is the cultural understanding and cultural aspects art provides. Art is an international language, universally accessible even to those who know little about how art was used in a culture. It communicates meaning without words. (3)In a world so vast and a country with many different races and ethnicity art is a way of showing commonality and understanding of one another's beliefs and history.
• In a post-modern world there is an increasing demand for creativity, seen as the competitive key to innovative ideas and the continuous development of the marketplace. The search is constantly scrutinizing candidates who are attentive, problem solver, and who can make decisions without hesitation. (2) Teaching artistic creative techniques helps expose each child's creativity in hope to pursue their future creative skills and ideas to use and be successful in the workplace.
• There are so many reasons why the arts and art in general should be taught and should remain a key part of each child's education. Each child is different and has certain talents and skills. Each child learns in different ways, but each child has the capacity to create and imagine. It is the teachers job and our job to inspire those kids to be the best they can be and shape great adults that help our society in the future. In conclusion I think that this quote basically sums it all up. 

Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.

~Albert Einstein

Sources:

1. (“Art for our sake”, Ellen Winner and Lois Hetland, 2007)

2. ( “Art is a Doorway into the 21^st Century”, National Art Education Association, 2008)

3. ( “Emphasis Art”, Page 3, Frank Wochiak and Robert D. Clements)

Reflection #1: My Definition Of Art

art: 

The expression or application of human creative skill and imagination. Typically in a visual form but may also be presented in other ways. Producing works that portray emotion both through the artist and to the viewer. Works are made generally to be appreciated for their beauty and emotional power.