Benefits of Art Integration
By MARISSA DESPINS Updated Nov 23, 2023
Do you integrate the arts into your regular classroom curriculum? Before leaving the classroom, I spent 10 years as an arts integration specialist. Through doing this, I had the opportunity to witness the benefits of Art Integration first hand.
Working as an arts integration specialist meant that I taught a unique program to grades 7-9. This program focused on incorporating the arts into our English and History curriculum. I quickly learned that teaching and learning this way isn’t just fun – it’s super beneficial. Below I share some of the key benefits of art integration.
Looking for some print and go Integrated Art activitives for your classroom? Click on the image or button below to see all of the Art Integration activities available from Creative Classroom Core!
What is Art Integration?
Art Integration is a research based curricular strategy. It has been used in classrooms around the world for more than 30 years. Studies have long touted the effectiveness of this strong pedagogical approach.
In an Art Integration classroom, the arts are connected to all areas of the classroom curriculum. Art based activities and teaching practices are both the approach and vehicle for learning. Students meet standards and build connections between a variety of subject areas in order to gain deeper understanding. The benefits of arts integration are profound.
Benefits of Art Integration: helps boost key skills
Through Art Integration, students develop strong problem solving skills. When struggles arise, students are encouraged to use grit and perseverance to develop their own creative solutions. Involving students in arts education helps to boost critical thinking skills, teaching kids the importance of observing the world in ways that are thorough and careful.
Some of the additional benefits of arts integration for the development of key skills include the development of language skills, fine motor skills, decision making skills, risk taking, creativity, social skills, and inventiveness.
Benefits of Art Integration: ample opportunities for differentiation
Arts Integration is an approach to learning that supports all students. Art experiences provide challenges for learners of all levels, and provide wonderful opportunities for differentiation.
This pedagogical approach is closely aligned with principles of Universal Design for Learning. Because of this, it provides ample opportunities for using, assessing, and engaging with learning materials. This aids in a teacher’s ability to accommodate the broad spectrum of learners in their rooms. Through this, learning barriers are removed while also keeping student expectations high.
Benefits of Art Integration: increases student engagement
Art integration boosts engagement, helping teachers to teach students who may not otherwise be engaged.
Instead of passive observers, students become active participants in their learning. Because of this, students develop ownership over their own learning, becoming students who are both passionate and engaged.
For some fun activities to boost engagement through art in the great outdoors, check out our post on Symmetry Stick Bugs!
Looking for ways to integrate art based activities into your classroom curriculum?
Those of you familiar with my resources know that I often incorporate art based activities into the learning. I am a huge fan of the enthusiasm these kinds of activities bring out in my learners. I truly love seeing them get excited about our class work.
You can read more about some of the fun Art Integration activities we have completed by checking out our posts on Mandala Art Projects and Symmetry Snowflakes!
To check out some of the art based activities I have in my TPT shop, click on the images below!
Looking for a FREE Art Integration resource?
This fun art activity is a great way to learn all about your students during back to school time. Grab a copy for FREE by clicking here or on the image below!
Want to read more about arT integration activities?
Check out the blog post below!
Art and Math Integration: Playground Polygons
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