Journal Entry #5

Journal 5: Choose one of the scenarios described in the reading and answer questions embedded in the text of that scenario.

I chose “A Spooky Tale”, which is about four art teachers realizing the downfalls of an art curriculum being centered on the holidays. The scenario talked about the dissatisfaction of these teachers with the crafts that occupy art lessons around the holidays. They solved this problem with some very creative art projects about Halloween. My favorites were the project with an adult giving a make-up demonstration and the discussion about why art, television, movies, etc. are “scary” and what makes us feel fear while watching, listening, etc. to “scary” media.

What are the possible drawbacks with an art curriculum centered on the holidays?

It gives very little to no education about other cultures. Often, crafts focused on the holidays end up being more about the commercial side of the holiday than the religious or cultural (eg. Witches, black cats, Santa Claus, the Easter bunny). It is also very difficult to integrate art education into a craft about the holidays. How can you teach Van Gogh and Santa Claus at the same time? Teaching art is much more difficult if you occupy class time with crafts about the media’s portrayal of the holidays.

Why were the art teachers dissatisfied?

The children in their classes were not getting an art education. They were getting to do crafts about holidays. It would be very professionally dissatisfying to feel like you were not teaching to your full potential. These art teachers did a great job of solving this problem and integrating art into crafts about the holidays.

Wouldn’t it be easier to continue the old way?

Of course it would be easier to continue the old way. A good teacher does what is best and most beneficial to the children whether it is easy or difficult. In the end, the teachers were happier and more satisfied and the children were better educated and probably had more fun.