ART CLASSES

At both Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley and Chokio-Alberta, the elementary teachers teach art themselves. In the middle schools, all 7th and 8th graders have art for one quarter. In the high schools, students must have some credit in a class that emphasizes creative expression (either Band, Choir, Industrial Technology or Art) in order to graduate.

Through the years I have developed art curriculums for both schools that include core concepts, build on themselves, and are in line with state and national art standards. They include cross-curricular lessons that tie-in with math, science, and social studies. However, my lesson making is never really finished. Each year I make notes on things I think could be better, tweak those parts during the coming months, then try out the changes the following year. Both schools and their art classes are listed at left.

I usually tell students why we are making a project or practicing specific skills. Art classes are about more than just "being creative" or making "pretty pictures", and students should know that. For example, studies show that making art is good for the brain and mental health. Creating art helps different parts of the brain make stronger connections with each other, strengthening problem solving and spatial relationship skills. Doing something artsy - even if its just coloring or doodling - helps some people relax and de-stress. The mental focus that can go into making art (getting "lost" in the artistic process) is comparable to meditation.

Art is a part of our daily lives even though some of us don't realize it. Whenever we see a sports logo, photo, advertisement, t-shirt graphic, an animated movie or a web site, those are all facets of art. Anytime anything is arranged to be visually appealing the elements and principles of art are being used. Art also includes science, history, architecture, and visual communication. Archaeology teams tend to have at least one art historian on staff. Whenever archaeologists want to learn about a culture they're digging up, they examine and analyze that culture's art.

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