Art Integration: how to fit Art Integration: how to fit visual arts into a very full visual arts into a very full

day!day!

Art Integration: how to fit Art Integration: how to fit visual arts into a very full visual arts into a very full

day!day!Elizabeth Auger AshworthElizabeth Auger Ashworth

Faculty of Education, Nipissing UniversityFaculty of Education, Nipissing University

What is Art Integration?• To unify curriculum by merging visual

arts with other subjects• Students use their existing knowledge of

art to construct new knowledge in other subject areas

• An emphasis on skill-building in projects rather than knowledge of individual subjects

Why bother integrating art?• Integration restores wholeness to

learning (interdisciplinary approach)• Makes learning related to real life

rather than in isolated subject areas• Adds imagination and creativity to all

subjects• Provides easier way to meet all

curriculum expectations

How to integrate art easily• Choose a theme and incorporate art into

that theme (e.g. Middle Ages unit includes castle design, armour making, tapestry weaving, etc.)

• Meet with colleagues to brainstorm ideas using everyone’s strengths and divide the work

• Start with short-run units (1-2 weeks) and work up to longer ones (e.g. combine study of light in Science with pin-hole photography)

References available in the Education Centre Library:Aitken, B., Richardson, C., & Roy, K. (1992). Making

Connections: integrating visual arts, literature, and history in the transition years. Etobicoke, ON: Etobicoke Board of Education.

Hobbs, J. & Rush, J. (1997). Teaching Children Art. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Lewis, S. & McKenzie, G. (1993). Arts Integration: a planning guide. Guelph, ON: Wellington Country Board of Education.

Olson, J. (1992). Envisioning Writing: toward an integration of drawing and writing. Portsmouth, NH: Heinnemann.

Yeager, D. (1996). Problem Solver Projects: collaborative group activities. Mountain View, CA: Creative Publications.