GAEA District 2 Co-Presidents�Hall County School District Artist Educators
Jennifer Griner
AP Art & Design Reader
GAEA Secondary Art Educator of the Year 2023
Georgia NAHS Sponsor of the Year 2018
Veronica Martin
AP Art & Design Reader
GAEA Secondary Art Educator of the Year 2024
Georgia NAHS Sponsor of the Year 2008
Literacy in Arts Education
Literacy, as defined by the National Literacy Trust, is the ability to read, write, speak, and listen effectively to communicate and understand the world.
Literacy in arts education involves using the arts to enhance reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills, as well as developing critical thinking and communication abilities through visual and artistic mediums.
Jeni
Why Literacy in Arts Education?
Art enhances both communication and expression.
Salvador Dalí, Persistence of Memory, 1931
Write from the perspective of . . . (creative writing)
Draw from the perspective of … (art making)
Veronica
Why Literacy in Arts Education?
Visual literacy helps interpret and analyze artworks.
George Tooker, The Subway, 1950
I think
I feel
I see
I wonder
Jeni
Why Literacy in Arts Education?
Broader benefits: creativity, cultural appreciation, and social-emotional development.�
What’s the triptych (art making)
What happened before? or What happened after? or What happened in between?
Edvard Munch, Separation, 1896
Veronica
Artist research assignments
Research in Reverse
Antebellum period of US history.
Large-scale mixed media installation composed of cut paper silhouettes
Jeni
Practical Strategies for Integration
Visual journaling and documentation
Research
Practice
Experimentation
Reflection, etc.
Jeni
Recap: The Role of Arts in Literacy Development
Vital Role: Arts education strengthens reading, writing, critical thinking, and communication skills.
Practical Tools: Strategies to improve literacy through art activities and projects.
Integration: Encourage ongoing use of literacy practices in the art classroom.
ADVOCACY!!!
Q&A: Time for questions and feedback.
Veronica
THANK YOU!��jenidawn.art@gmail.com��veronica.martin@hallco.org�������������You can view and download our presentation here. As well as additional "Strategies for assessing literacy within art."
Research Findings
The International Literacy Association: Studies demonstrate that art education enhances literacy by promoting critical thinking, communication, and creative problem-solving. These skills are vital for students to engage deeply with reading and writing processes. According to Rachel Zindler, visual arts can significantly enhance literacy instruction by fostering close observation, analysis, and synthesis of information, much like reading comprehension strategies used in ELA classrooms.
California Arts Council: Findings from the California Arts Council indicate that early exposure to art supports literacy development by building skills like focus, observation, and creative expression, which are crucial for language acquisition and literacy growth.
...NOW FOR A FEW FUN WAYS TO INCORPORATE LITERACY IN YOUR ART CLASSROOM.
Strategies for assessing literacy within art
1. Written Reflections - After completing a project, students write reflections where they explain their artwork, inspiration, techniques used, and challenges faced. This encourages them to articulate their thought process and develop their writing skills.
Assessment: Evaluate both the depth of their visual analysis and their ability to use art vocabulary effectively in discussing their work.
2. Artist Statements - Students write formal artist statements explaining their artistic choices, the theme or message of their piece, and the process behind their work.
Assessment: Focus on clarity, use of relevant terminology, personal growth and understanding of the work's context.
Strategies for assessing literacy within art
3. Visual Journals and Annotations - Students keep a visual journal where they annotate their drawings, ideas, and experiments with notes on techniques, media, and reflections on their creative process.
Assessment: Look for insightful connections between text and visuals, and how they document their learning journey and the progression of ideas.
4. Research Projects on Artists or Art Movements - Assign research projects that require students to investigate an artist or an art movement and write an analytical report or presentation, integrating what they learn into their own art practice.
Assessment: Evaluate their ability to analyze the artist’s work, apply art historical knowledge, and make connections to their own creative process.
5. Oral Presentations and Art Analysis - Have students present their work or analyze a piece of art in front of the class, using key terminology and explaining their interpretation of the art's meaning, style, and context.
Assessment: Assess both their verbal communication skills and how effectively they convey their analysis, using art-specific language.
6. Peer Reviews - Encourage peer reviews where students critique each other’s work, offering constructive feedback based on specific criteria.
Assessment: Look for thoughtful, constructive feedback and the ability to use relevant art vocabulary. This also helps build analytical skills through active engagement.
Strategies for assessing literacy within art
Strategies for assessing literacy within art
7. Literacy-Based Rubrics - Use rubrics that include criteria for the artwork and the written or verbal articulation of ideas. Criteria might include clarity of communication, use of vocabulary, depth of analysis, and connection between visual and written work.
Assessment: Use the rubric to provide feedback on both artistic skills and literacy development, emphasizing the integration of the two.
8. Cross-Curricular Connections - Combine art projects with lessons from other subjects. For example, have students create art based on a novel or historical event and write about the connection between the two.
Assessment: Evaluate how students integrate knowledge from other disciplines into their artwork and articulate those connections in writing.
Strategies for assessing literacy within art
9. Digital Portfolios - Students create digital portfolios where they not only showcase their artwork but also write about each piece, the inspiration, and the learning process.
Assessment: Assess the clarity of their writing, the ability to reflect on their artistic journey, and how well they can present and organize their work in a professional format.