Reflection #1

Reflection #1
Think about what you have learned so far through reading, discussion and class activities and reflect on how your ideas might have changed, things you want to learn about teaching (with, in, about, through) the arts, and why they are important in the education of every child.


I love the arts and always have. I especially have a great love for music and what it can do to your heart, mind, body, and soul. I've always believed the arts were critical and are a great influence on everyone-and this class seems to continuously support that notion. It's hard becuase arts aren't necessarily supported and encouraged in schools now, but when the research is shown, it doesn't make sense as to why they aren't. Through our classroom activities, I've gotten more ideas about how to encorporate them more. For instance, when we played the game where everyone sat in a circle and mimiked the leader's hand motions and movements, I realized how relaxed I felt during and after the activity. If I find myself in a situation where there doesn't seem to be a lot of time for arts, and yet my class is a bit rowdy, I may try to incorporate games such as this one to help them relax and re-obtain focus.
This class seems to show that the arts don't necessarily have to include obvious aspects such as painting or acting, but can have more subtle inclusions such as the games we have played in class. I kind of like this concept, even though it's not quite what I expected for the class. However, I wouldn't mind being able to visit these specific kinds of concepts and get ideas of how to teach things I may not be good at or comfortable with-for example, painting and drawing.