Alexandra Weinholtz

Alexandra Weinholtz
EDU 431: Art in Literacy

The article by Amy Shultz enforces the role of art in education dealing with writing. As future teachers we need to understand the different learning styles of our students. Some children are verbal learners and process information through words; some students are visual learners that process information through images. Our lessons must support all types of learners so that all children have the opportunity to succeed in education.
Allowing children to move back and forth between their words and images support their ability to “read pictures” and understand key concepts. Other techniques that we can use to support each learning style includes, the creating of colleges, orally rehearsing stories, incorporating writing, and practicing reading them aloud. Through those stages we are working on movement, expression, writing, and verbal communication which I think are strong aids in learning. Introducing a different medium will also give students the ability to experience new forms of art and expression. I believe that art is important in all areas of the classroom and especially when dealing with writing.
Across the world art is used to pass on stories, tell of events that have occurred, and used portray a certain culture. In my culture we use art to tell stories, express our ideas about those stories, and identity the nation of the artist. We incorporate these images and stories in pots, clay, beadwork, paint, and other common modern mediums used today. Since most of our traditions, beliefs, stories, and how we came to be upon this earth have been passed on orally, we use art to convey our ideas or the images that we see. Writing is a form of expression and art is a natural form that must be included to fully communicate. Art in the classroom will allow teachers to recognize if the student understands the lesson.