The Elements of Art

The Fox Valley Symphony is a surprisingly helpful resource for arts integration.  Their PDF The Basic Elements of Art contains 17 pages of lessons, images, and activities. Also listed on their website are other arts integration resources like the Dallas Symphony Orchestra's amazing website for kids http://www.dsokids.com/.

What is Arts Integration?

Arts Integration uses creativity and artistic endeavors to enrich the studies of all disciplines.  In approaching a lesson from multiple angles and engaging students both physically and mentally one can increase student motivation, improve problem solving skills, and help to build broader multicultural understanding.  Incorporating Dance, Music, Theater, and/or Visual Arts into other academic studies has been shown to improve student engagement, encourage better attendance and increase graduation rates.  In the pursuit of bringing this kind of enhancement to classrooms throughout Howard County and beyond this blog will be frequently uploading lesson plans, images, articles, and workshop dates and information.  The following links provide more in depth information about the advantages of Arts Integation. 

Arts Education Partnership

Arts Integration: The International Organization on Arts and Disability

Arts Every Day

Arts Connection

Please stay tuned for up-to-date information, ideas, and inspiration!

Everything in the universe has rhythm.  Everything dances. 

- Maya Angelou