7 Components

The seven components of design seem like a good way to integrate art into a classroom. As a teacher, we are able to introduce topics, and analyze them according to these seven components. In the art classrooms, teachers can use architectural designs to teach students about the seven components as well. For example, the architectural and artistic significance of a house. Teachers can teach the students about different housing structures based on the seven components, and even have them create their own idea of how a house should look like, within those seven components.
It is also important to point out that simply, every day things can be aesthetically pleasing to students, and to give them examples of such. Different objects might be the same, for example the chair (from the article), however in context they mean very different things. It should also be important to point out to students that even though something may be very aesthetically pleasing, or send a message, it can also be functional. For example, the Longaberger Basket Company headquarters building. It is shaped like a basket to market their products, but is a fully functioning office building.

Literary Expression

I agree with Amy Schultz when she says it is important to give students “a chance to create not only with words”. I worked in a first grade classroom last semester, and they were just beginning to learn how to spell and write out their language. Therefore, I planned a lot of lessons where the students were able to express their ideas through visuals. I found that in some cases, the students were able to express themselves much more fully through these images, than anything they would have written (or in this case dictated).

A form of expression through art in order to describe an activity that takes place during the morning time. Note the bottom picture labeled "Darius", the student drew a picture of brushing teeth in full detail.

Other visuals that are important to use in a classroom that incorporate literacy are thinking maps. The students draw out the medium in which they would like to express their thoughts, and then add words. Thinking maps can come in many different forms, and students should be allowed to choose which one they want to represent their ideas.


Here are two different forms of thinking maps, that both include the same information.

One of the programs mentioned in the article called Picturing Writing: Fostering Literacy through Art, by Beth Olshansky sounds really interesting. It sounds like a program I would be interested in using in a classroom of my own. Now, with all of the technology available, students would probably also be allowed to use a computer, which might help enhance their drawings and therefore literary expression.

Tattoos

Tattoos are a form of expression that a person might choose to display on their body. I agree with Shannon Larratt that tattoos are generally well thought out, and planned, as I know from experience. I have a tattoo on my ankle that resembles a Henna tattoo that I received on my high school trip to Israel with my classmates. The tattoo means something to me, and its significance will be remembered for my lifetime. I also believe that people do some research into the tattoo parlor in which they are going to tattooed in, and make sure it is upholding standards of hygiene and sterilization. I want to address the question that is stated in the article which asks about the potential harm or advantage of wearing a tattoo from another culture other than your own. I think that it is almost disrespectful to that culture to wear a symbol of theirs unless you have studied it in depth, and fully understand the meaning of it. If you choose to get a symbol from another culture, then you almost must “have permission” to have it because it is as if you are borrowing part of their culture. If someone asked you about the tattoo you would have to be able to defend it, and explain it to someone, which means you would need to know its significance to the culture, and any other meanings.

My tattoo located on my right inside ankle. As described above, this tattoo has significance to me.

I am not sure how I feel about tattoos being used in the classroom as a topic of study. I think it would depend of the grade level, and maturity of the students. I think that if it is used as a topic of study at a later age, say close to 14 as the article stated that was the average age for a first tattoo, that it would not be appropriate. It might spark an interest in the students, and inspire them to get one themselves. I think in the high school years, it would be more appropriate because the students are closer to the age in which they can legally get a tattoo. I think that if a teacher were to do a lesson on tattoos, they would have to make sure they address what could go wrong if one were to get one, and the implications of having a tattoo as an ending to the lesson. I think at the elementary level tattoos might be an appropriate topic of discussion because most of the students still listen to their parents, and no tattoo artist would willingly tattoo a 10 year old (I hope that is). I think it could be an interesting topic of study, if presented in the proper way.