Art is a way in which we can all express ourselves. We can express emotions, life events, circumstances and identity but it can also act as an outlet that allows us to explore who we really are.

The Tallis Habits Peadagogy Wheel (Thomas Tallis School, 2017) is a tool created by Thomas Tallis School. Previous to the integrated arts module I had never came across or heard of this tool. This tool enables educators to explore the arts across the curriculum and intertwine many of the curriculum areas. For me the tool provided me with confidence that I do not need to be afraid of the arts within an educational setting. That within the arts it is okay to not always know the outcome or the answer but to have an open mind towards uncertainty.

It is important that as educators we understand the importance of drawing and what it allows a child to do. Not only does drawing develop a childs fine motor skills but the marks they make are an interpretation of their world (Eisner, 2002). We must encourage mark making in the classroom just as much as we encourage handwriting.

References:

Eisner, E. (2002) The Arts and the Creation of Mind. 1st ed. USA: Yale University Press

Thomas Tallis School. (2017) The TALLIS Habits Pedagogy Wheel. [Online] Available: http://www.thomastallisschool.com/tallis-pedagogy-wheel-guide.html [Accessed: 13 September 2017]