Integrated Arts has come to an end and I must say my confidence and view on the expressive arts has completely changed.
We started off the last session with a lecture from Zara a dance professional who we had been working with in various workshops for the last couple of weeks. Zara spoke to us about the importance of creative partnerships in education. I understand that inter-professional working is vital within education in order for children to reach their full potential.
As the arts is often undervalued, this lecture placed a greater importance on the arts and what it can bring to the children in a school environment. The Scottish Government value on the benefit that creative partnerships can bring; “For schools there’s a great opportunity to access the skills, knowledge, experience and support of an employer and their workforce” (Education Scotland, 2015). Through creative partnerships children can gain and develop the skills that will help them in later life.
Examples of creative partnerships in schools could be when a class have a topic based on the 1940s. A teacher could speak to a creative arts specialist about ideas for a short drama play or a dance that would fit the topic. The school could also get in touch with artists who have painting and drawing set in this time frame and invite them to the school to discuss their art with the children leading to lessons where the children create their own visual art pieces.
After the lecture we then all got together as a year group to practice and perform the dance that we have been creating in the previous workshops. The dance had a theme of Christmas.
Throughout my integrated arts in education module I have developed in confidence and built upon my team-work skills. The module has encouraged me to embrace areas outwith my comfort zone which will only improve my practice when I become a fully qualified teacher.
I started the module apprehensive and by the end of it I was gutted to be finished.
I strongly believe that creativity should be allowed to flourish within a school and with creativity the minds of the children will only expand.
References:
Education Scotland. (2015) Developing the Young Workforce School/Employer Partnerships. [Online] Available: https://www.education.gov.scot/Documents/DYW_GuidanceforSchoolEmployerPartnerships0915.pdf [Accessed: 13th December 2017].
