Posted by Lauren Grossberg on Thu, Jul 29, 2010
For students with special needs, they oftentimes have a different way of learning and doing things. Art is just another one of those things that can be interpreted and performed in a unique way.
Students at the Cardinal Hayes School for Special Children are being taught ART Realization Technologies, or ART. This training session allows for students who may have one more disabilities or handicaps to express themselves in an artistic way.
Usually, when students with special needs do artwork in a school, a lot of the work is done for them, making the work easier, as it is catered to them. Through this program, they can learn other means of expression
ART allows students to take part in the different areas of art. They can vary their roles, being the tracker, being the one who draws and the student who lets the drawer know what should be drawn. The trackers decide what to draw from a series of interests from the students, which can include anything from a head shake, a blink or verbally responding. They can then ask more detailed questions, like where they want to position the art or how big it should be.
Techniques to help these methods become possible in schools include using a ruler to indicate where on a vertical line a drawing should start. Students can also use a target laser that is on a headband to move their head to show what should be drawn on the canvas.
This type of art therapy, along with many others, allow students to express themselves in new and creative ways, which is important to anyone getting an education.
Free Teacher Resources | Special Education by MangoMon
Posted by Lauren Grossberg on Wed, Apr 28, 2010
For many students, the arts can be a great way to escape from the reality and stress of the classroom. Many times, it actually is useful in motivating students in the classroom. At the Cultural Crossroads Arts Program at Westbank Community School in Marrero, Louisiana, they try to incorporate the arts as much as possible. This program brings artist educators together with at-risk students so they can see and learn the importance of the arts. It uses art to bring students together while helping them improve in subjects like reading, writing, math and science.
From dancing, to acting and musical instruments, there are so many great activities that students can become involved with.
Students follow their teachers in many activities, like traditional African dances, for example. They learn the origins of the dances, how they evolved and how they were originally performed.
School officials have noticed that since this program has been started, many of the students, who were considered at-risk, have increased their reading scores on district tests. School staff has also found a noticeable improvement in overall student behavior and attitudes.
With recent grants, the school has been able to extend the arts program past its average of one or two weeks. They have plans to also expand the program to reach other schools in the local areas that have students with slipping test scores.
By connecting these students through the arts, they have become inspired to succeed. Not only do they learn a new skill or hobby, they are learning the history, significance and background in each area. By focusing their time on these programs, students are becoming more focused and determined at succeeding in the classroom and in the real world.
Free Teacher Resources | Special Education by MangoMon
Picture By: frerieke