What does social justice mean to me as a future art teacher?
While my gut reaction to this question is that it is another item to incorporate on top of all a teacher must do, I honestly feel that social justice can play a major role in the art classroom. Not only can each student express their thoughts/feelings/views about issues but they can search for a better world. My learning experience in high school was so “ordinary” while I learned a lot, what I learned about was art and how to draw and paint. Incorporating social justice into the art classroom would allow the students to not only learn about art techniques but about life and value and the world.
Students will be able to learn from one another. I feel that since there is more and more diversity in the classroom it could be an even greater experience for the children to see different views and learn about each others identity (history, traditions, and heritage)
Why is it important to consider when planning your curriculum?
Social justice covers a broad topic arena. It should be included in some form or fashion because I believe it connects to everything in this world. I believe it is also more important to incorporate now because of the great diversity in classrooms today.
It allows students, in a safe and equal environment, to learn about what the world is like and to seek and find answers to questions that will be raised.
If social justice is to be taught in the classroom it is a safe learning environment for children to seek out answers to why the world is the way it is. It is something they should know about before they graduate.
How can it benefit adolescents as they develop their identities?
The main reason I feel adolescents would benefit from learning about social justice would be that they will be more cautious about making conclusions and be more careful about what they say and do. Having knowledge about issues and others and how they live their lives and why will help the student see eye to eye with those people.
I feel that it will get students to step out of the square they live in. (meaning their everyday lives) It will get students to see the world differently and take it seriously. Many times students are immersed in the current day and can not get passed that. It is hard for them to see issues and care about them. If social justice was incorporated students would have the chance to have their eyes opened to the world.
I like how you included a little background to your high school art experience. I, on the other hand, feel like my art experience was focused much more on social justice issues and much less on technical skill. While I loved my projects and felt really connected to them, I don't feel like I gained many of the skills I would have liked to learn.
ReplyDeleteI think when including social justice issues into the classroom, you need to be careful to have a good balance of both. Both are very important for student success, but can be a hard balance to create in lessons.
I agree with Liz, one of the problems that can occur when teachers are passionate about an issue is the technical rigor of the assignment is lowered. Students are encouraged to think critically about the issue at hand but you as the teacher need to also push rigorous artmaking to express the idea. Students need to build on their skills and learn new techniques as they explore social issues.
DeleteI agree with your statement "I feel that since there is more and more diversity in the classroom it could be an even greater experience for the children to see different views" and feel it can be just as important in those classrooms or school lacking diversity. Diversity is hammered into children at Bloom's knowledge and comprehension stages, but rarely gets to the application or analysis. I feel social justice projects could effectively fill that gap.
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