I have always believed that art and math go hand-in-hand. When you look around at buildings, parks, bridges, tunnels, and the interstate system, you begin to see the correlation between the two areas. Teaching our students that art is found not only in pretty pictures and sculptures but in every day life, points them to appreciate many forms of “art.”
I have to admit that I am old school and a preschool teacher, so we do not have many forms of technology in my classroom. We do, however, have many opportunities for art, dance, and music. We use the Ipod with their favorite songs and either scarf dance or use marching and rhythm sticks. Recently I showed them videos of yodeling and they attempted to sing with the yodeler.
My students use a HATCH computer with games, videos, and an art easel. It does not work well every day, so I am looking into other ways to add technology into the classroom, especially during Free Choice time. Administrators in my company asked us if we wanted an electronic whiteboard in the classroom. As leery as I was, I still said I would. I then discovered Google Jamboard.
https://edu.google.com/teacher-center/products/jamboard/?modal_active=none This is something that is easy enough for me to learn, yet interesting enough that my students will want to engage in. If children are at home, we can still interact with them. They can collaborate, use it to make pictures or to practice writing.
Not all children learn verbally. Many need to see things in writing or to experience or create it themselves in order to understand it. Using art in the classroom allows for children to express themselves in a way that is safer and less judgmental. The more the teacher allows for this form of expression and subsequent discussion on this expression, the more capable and less afraid the students will be. Children who have behavior or developmental challenges might find bookwork difficult and refuse to complete it. Giving them another way to show learning through a project or diorama might suit their personalities better. We need to find ways for children to learn and to demonstrate that learning in the best way they are able.
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