Art & Music Integration at Tiller School:
“Arts Integration is an approach to teaching in which students construct and demonstrate understanding through an art form. Students engage in a creative process which connects an art form and another subject area and meets evolving objectives in both.” – The Kennedy Center
At Tiller School we strive to incorporate the arts in to our classrooms so that our students are growing both academically and creatively. Through creative exploration our students learn new and exciting ways to approach academics while expanding on their problem solving skills.
Visual Arts Program:
The arts are important for a multitude of reasons. It nurtures creativity, stimulates intellectual growth, and provides emotional solace. For children, engaging with the arts is an essential part of development. It aids in the cultivation of fine motor skills, enhances visual learning, and fosters creativity and problem-solving abilities. Through activities like drawing, painting, and sculpting, children learn to observe the world more closely and express their thoughts and feelings creatively. This process not only boosts their confidence but also contributes to their overall cognitive and emotional development.
Additionally, arts education has been linked to improved academic performance. Studies have shown that “a student involved in the arts is four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement.” The arts can also help close academic gaps for students from low-income households. Artistic endeavors help children build essential skills – such as attention to detail, perseverance, and innovative thinking – that prove valuable in school settings and beyond. (Source)
Music Program:
Research has found that learning music facilitates learning other subjects and enhances skills that children inevitably use in other areas. “A music-rich experience for children of singing, listening and moving is really bringing a very serious benefit to children as they progress into more formal learning,” says Mary Luehrisen, executive director of the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation, a not-for-profit association that promotes the benefits of making music.
Making music involves more than the voice or fingers playing an instrument; a child learning about music has to tap into multiple skill sets, often simultaneously. For instance, people use their ears and eyes, as well as large and small muscles, says Kenneth Guilmartin, cofounder of Music Together, an early childhood music development program for infants through kindergarteners that involves parents or caregivers in the classes. (Source)
The Arts in the Classroom:
Mock Caldecott
Each year Tiller School holds their own mock Caldecott awards. We have discussions about the text as well as the artistry that goes in to each book. The students love reading the books, learning about the authors, and voting for their favorite!
Professional Development
All Tiller teachers learn how to incorporate the arts in to their classrooms and work closely with our talented and dedicated Art and Music teachers to bring share ideas and inspiration for our students.