The 2020 convention of the Missouri State Teachers Association will be held virtually. The professional development portion of the convention will also be offered. Because of this, I have been asked to prepare two sessions to reach teachers across our great state. One of those sessions is entitled The Art Connection. This session is described like this:
"A picture is worth a thousand words.”
We are using visual images to everything from literature to history, from science to math. We're using classic and modern art to spark interest, teach comprehension, and inspire writing and conversation. From beginning to end, this session is chockablock with ideas to add color and creativity to your classroom. Take notes, because these simple ideas are easily included in your classroom next week!
I have discovered something valuable: that there are two questions that can be used in every subject, every day: What do you notice? and What do you wonder? If you want students to infer or predict, ask those two questions. If you want them to cite the source, ask those two questions. If you want to find the characters, the setting, and the point of view, ask those two questions. These questions work for math, reading, writing, social studies, science, religion, fitness, music, and art. They work on field trips, with guest speakers, and much more. They can be asked of recipes, political cartoons, graphic novels, advertisements, news reports, movies, and all sorts of media.
In this session, we will use these questions specifically of works of art. A couple of years ago, I attended the teacher institute at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas. Combining what I learned at the institute with the concept of academic rigor and my love for early American history, I am looking forward to recording this presentation and making it available to participants online.
In this session, we will use these questions specifically of works of art. A couple of years ago, I attended the teacher institute at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas. Combining what I learned at the institute with the concept of academic rigor and my love for early American history, I am looking forward to recording this presentation and making it available to participants online.
