Integrating the Arts in the K-8 Classroom

Catalog description

It is an unfortunate state of public elementary and middle level education that programs and time spent in arts education are becoming more and more limited, as school leaders feel the pressure to prepare their students for mandated assessments. In this context, it is essential that K-8 educators enter schools prepared to fill this gap through the development of opportunities for children to explore their worlds and express their knowledge through creative channels. This course has been designed to emphasize student-centered pedagogies and to prepare teachers to utilize the arts as one mechanism for building culturally responsive classrooms. This course will prepare K-8 teachers to enact lessons that support students in authentic, collaborative, iterative learning through the creative integration of visual arts and music. The course is split into two modules, one that focuses on visual arts and one that focuses on integration of music. Additionally, this course supports the development of Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) PreK-8 teacher competencies. Prerequisite: Admission to the UTAP program or permission of instructor.