Fun with Fossils

Five grade school children are gathered around a table filled with pictures and small containers of plant fossils. Learning about the science and history of the earth is an important and enriching experience.

American Music Teacher

The purpose of American Music Teacher is to provide articles, reviews and regular columns that inform, educate and challenge music teachers and foster excellence in the music teaching profession….read more

What Is Visual Arts?

Visual arts is a term used to describe art forms ranging from ceramics and paintings to music and the performing arts. Visual arts classes are focused on teaching children about the basics of art as well as instilling an appreciation for visual aesthetics. These classes are an enriching source of education and even the simplest arts and craft activities serve as building blocks for your child’s development.

Benefits of Visual Arts Curriculum

Through recent years, many schools have cut funding for arts programs because they are seen as a luxury as opposed to a necessary and enriching program. However, involving children in creating and learning about visual arts has been proven to improve motor skills, decision making, academic performance, cultural awareness, and even assists with language development in very young children. Visual arts is a very hands-on experience and very beneficial to young children especially because they are typically kinesthetic learners, also known as discovery learners. Young children learn best through action and may struggle to learn through standard lectures and reading.

With Visual Arts, children can:

• Improve their large and small motor functions by working with their hands
• Make better decisions through critical thinking and problem solving
• Learn about shapes, colors, and actions of the art world which strengthens their language development
• Become more culturally aware from learning about art from different regions of the world

 To learn more about visual arts in San Jose, visit this website.

Learning That Matters” High School Winner Jennifer Aguilera

Jennifer Aguilera, a student of Amy Schlessman at Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep in Waukegan, Illinois, read and responded to the YES! ….read more