Ashley and Audrey lead the discussion

This chapter discussed the importance of advocating for the arts within your own classroom. Pressure for art teachers to justify the importance of their own curriculum has led many teachers to teach using a discipline-focused curricula because it is easier to show student growth and what exactly students have learned rather than to engage with important social issues that art offers.

 This chapter relates to our class because at some point we will all have to justify our profession to someone that questions us. There will always be people that think that art isn’t as important as “core” content but as art teachers we understand the inherent value of creating art. We will need to be able to defend our case to a large percentage of people in order to ensure that we keep quality arts education within schools.

1. What do you think the problem was with the community in the chapter 12 story that caused Mrs. Clark to have no support with her pinwheels for peace project?
2. In class on Tuesday we will be making pinwheels for peace. Come to class with ideas for an example pinwheel you could show students when having them make pinwheels to stand up to bullying.
3. Take some time to search the for some art advocacy resources. Attach the link to a resource you think the class would find helpful in their own art advocacy efforts as an art educator.
4. What made you want to become an art teacher? Why do you feel it is important for students to have art class in school? If someone was to ask you what your students learn in art class what would you tell them? (think about those questions) Now work on your elevator pitch for why the arts are essential and post what you would say to someone in under one minute!