Second
The second graders were doing two projects in class, both showing how well art teaches not just art, but other subjects as well. For the stitchery they did research on amphibians, and the upcoming project on good luck pigs teaches them about South American culture.
I interviewed five second grade students and received a range of answers. Some of the questions and answers I received include:
Is art important? Why and how is art important?
"I think it’s a good thing for people to do because it helps you express your feelings."
"Yes, it’s important because it’s yourself. You just love it and how it’s so you."
"Yes. It shows what people like doing and how they paint and a lot of people like seeing other people’s art."
All five students believed that art is important as well as excitingly agreeing that they enjoy art class.
When I asked if art helps them there were mixed answers. Some students, understandable at such a young age, were confused by the question and couldn't quite formulate and articulate an answer.
Does art help you? For example does it make you excited for school, does it help you with projects, etc.
"Sometimes, if we’re doing a project that requires art. "
"It helps me use my imagination. "
"Not really"
"It makes me excited and it makes me happy and it makes me think of the baby in my mom’s tummy and makes me think of my mom because she’s an artist!"
"It makes me excited for school."
All of the students agreed that kids should at least have the ability to take art. "It's a great thing to learn."
I interviewed five second grade students and received a range of answers. Some of the questions and answers I received include:
Is art important? Why and how is art important?
"I think it’s a good thing for people to do because it helps you express your feelings."
"Yes, it’s important because it’s yourself. You just love it and how it’s so you."
"Yes. It shows what people like doing and how they paint and a lot of people like seeing other people’s art."
All five students believed that art is important as well as excitingly agreeing that they enjoy art class.
When I asked if art helps them there were mixed answers. Some students, understandable at such a young age, were confused by the question and couldn't quite formulate and articulate an answer.
Does art help you? For example does it make you excited for school, does it help you with projects, etc.
"Sometimes, if we’re doing a project that requires art. "
"It helps me use my imagination. "
"Not really"
"It makes me excited and it makes me happy and it makes me think of the baby in my mom’s tummy and makes me think of my mom because she’s an artist!"
"It makes me excited for school."
All of the students agreed that kids should at least have the ability to take art. "It's a great thing to learn."
"I learned that [art] makes everyone happy. And it makes my mom happy and it makes her forget about the pains because of the baby in her tummy. If someone is mean to you can forget about them. You can paint butterflies or whatever makes you smile. You just get to show your feelings"
Third Grade
The third graders were having a instructional period in which they learned art history and how to draw with perspective. The five students I interviewed gave me a range of interesting and helpful answers. They all enjoyed art class, except one said that although he usually did not all the time. They also all agree that children should be able to take art class.
Is art important? How is art important? Does it make people more creative, does it help them show emotion, etc.
" Yes, because if you have a project and you need to draw something it can help people understand what you’re trying to say or what your point is."
"Yes, like if someone didn’t have art no one would know what to do. Art gives you ideas on how to do stuff." (what that stuff is, they didn't elaborate on.)
"Yes, I think that when people do blue pictures it helps people understand that they’re trying to make it look sad. " The student went on to discuss how art shows emotion.
Does art help you? For example does it make you a better artist, help with projects, etc.?
"Yeah, it does because a lot of the time my family wants to see the art that I’ve done. I think it helps you with projects."
"It doesn’t really help me, but it’s fun to do and it keeps you occupied. It’s fun to share."
"It helps me with projects; sometimes it can help me be more creative."
"It makes me feel creative."
When I asked about what they have learned they told me about creating self portraits and autobiographies, solar systems and how they read books in class.
The third graders were eager about art class and could easily conduct conversations on the benefits and importance of art.
Is art important? How is art important? Does it make people more creative, does it help them show emotion, etc.
" Yes, because if you have a project and you need to draw something it can help people understand what you’re trying to say or what your point is."
"Yes, like if someone didn’t have art no one would know what to do. Art gives you ideas on how to do stuff." (what that stuff is, they didn't elaborate on.)
"Yes, I think that when people do blue pictures it helps people understand that they’re trying to make it look sad. " The student went on to discuss how art shows emotion.
Does art help you? For example does it make you a better artist, help with projects, etc.?
"Yeah, it does because a lot of the time my family wants to see the art that I’ve done. I think it helps you with projects."
"It doesn’t really help me, but it’s fun to do and it keeps you occupied. It’s fun to share."
"It helps me with projects; sometimes it can help me be more creative."
"It makes me feel creative."
When I asked about what they have learned they told me about creating self portraits and autobiographies, solar systems and how they read books in class.
The third graders were eager about art class and could easily conduct conversations on the benefits and importance of art.