VTS- Art Integration- Allison Gray

  What speaks to you?
VTS seems like a way to get students to open up and feel comfortable sharing ideas and supporting their ideas. Then thinking beyond their original thoughts to add to their answer. I think once student really get a good foundation and can use the VTS on art word they can use the skill in any subject area. I think it is awesome that all children can use this strategy to expand their thinking. I found it really interesting all the skills that students develop using this visual thinking strategy, and the older we are the more ideas or possibilities we see in the same image. The more experience we gain through life the more possibilities come to mind to help determine what is happening in an image.

  Does it give you any ideas?
That I need to really study and look at the art standards and try and link them with different subjects that are taught in second grade. Then talk with that art and music teachers to see when the skills needed are taught in their classroom. Then I can start integrating not enhancing my classroom with art.

  How do you integrate art into the current curriculum?
I realized that I probably do not really integrate art into the curriculum, but enhance the curriculum with art.
At the current moment, I use songs to help them really remember important definitions and concepts. I have never really looked at an art standard until this class. I would have my students draw their vocabulary words and write the definition. I really need to look into which art standards students already have the skills, so I can integrate art into my classroom.

   Other reactions?
My school is currently moving to more of a plc model. The PLC makes collaborating a must and looking at the student in the building as our students and not just a specific teachers students. I think that once we get use to sharing and collaborating on the standards it will  be easier to integrate arts into the classroom.