Class Reaction: The Artistic-Aesthetic Curriculum

The discussion on Maxine Greene’s “The Artistic-Aesthetic Curriculum” was very constructive in presenting an alternative view to the grammar of schooling through the arts. I found her insight on the importance of the arts very useful and valuable as a future educator. The classroom discussion as well as the article provided various enlightening aspects on the benefits of incorporating the arts into classroom curriculum. I agree with Greene, the arts are a valuable and integral part of education and should be brought into the realm of the classroom.
As stated in class, the arts can serve as a bridge to other subjects. This is a valuable tool and can be even more valuable in helping students who may not be interested in a particular subject area to become stimulated, motivated and interested in the subject. An unpopular subject such as math can become alive through the arts even at an early age. For instance, a kindergarten student who does not enjoy math can be presented with a song that incorporates math through counting or grouping. Similarly, a student could be introduced to a painting with various shapes and instructed to identify the shapes or describe the relation of one shape to another. These important math concepts can be aided through the use of the arts in a manner that is beneficial to the student. While seemingly simple gestures, integrating the arts into the classroom in areas such as math, can make a substantial difference in the relationship the student develops with math. It is crucial students develop a positive relationship with mathematics early on as well as other subjects to ensure they have a strong foundation to build upon. The arts provide a way to allow such vital foundations to be formed. Although this approach provides a challenge to the grammar of schooling and thus meets opposition, by introducing such a radical and drastic change from traditional schooling, the arts are essential in student development. Integrating the arts into the classroom can offer great benefits to students and society as a whole.

Class Reaction April 15, 2009

The concept of vouchers to equalize schools is a concept definitely worth noting and reflecting in depth upon. To maintain a competent society a basic level of education, predominately in the realm of literacy and knowledge, is required. To achieve this minimal education provisions are necessary to guarantee, to some extent, every child has the same resources and opportunity they need to acquire this minimal education. Thus, it is essential that the government be involved to some degree. The extent of government involvement as in many cases is disputable. However, the fact remains the government in the form of subsidies is needed to allow, enforce and ensure each child receives a minimal education. Government intervention in the form of subsidies without nationalizing schools can provide many benefits to society and the school system itself, public and private. The government still maintains that a minimal education be required but does not influence by direct funding.

One major benefit is the ability to equalize schools through vouchers, providing individual freedom, equal opportunity, better teacher quality and better more accountable schools. Parents have a range of choice with vouchers that remove some of the financial restrictions in determining an adequate educational institution for their child. As opposed to simply going to public schools because it is affordable and presumably free, a parent can choose based on a less financial basis. For example, a parent whose only option for educating their child, based on financial reasons, is the public school can now take into consideration other factors such as quality curriculum, quality teachers and specific content involved within the curriculum to meet the individualized needs of their child. Now that parents have individual freedom and choice they have more clout in holding schools and teachers accountable, producing more qualified and better operated schools and teachers as well as more variety amongst schools. Likewise vouchers would also help the parents of private school students as well as the private school as a whole. Private schools do not receive public funds and must rely on raising funds to operate their schools. Vouchers would allow for additional funding for private institutions based on competition. Just as with the public schools the decision would rely on the individual choice of the parent and would produce better schools and teachers. Although such a major change in the school system is not viewed as the solution to all current problems is does present a path well worth exploring.