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Denise Clyne-Ruch
Life is a puzzle without a picture on the box. None of us know what final image we will create. Learning occurs when students can attach one puzzle piece to another and reveal more of their unique image. I am driven to supply all of the pieces I can to my students.
We have all heard that if visual arts support the tested curriculum that the visual arts are somehow delegated to a lower position on the educational ladder than other subjects. I disagree. I believe that the fact that visual art classes ... read morecan intimately and organically support the tested subjects highlights strengths distinctive to the visual arts.
I am an elementary school art teacher. I service 600 students in 4 days. Most of those students will not grow up to be artists, however all 600 can benefit from an experimental approach to the creation of art and the confidence gained by attempting something new in a safe environment.
All 600 will have to make decisions based on aesthetics, visual and world culture. All will have to function in an increasingly global world, culture, and economy. Recognizing and expecting differences is a tool that we are uniquely positioned to supply.
I am much more process than product oriented.
A successful lesson is one in which a student connects new knowledge to prior knowledge. Like a puzzle piece, it snaps into place. I am blessed to be in a profession that allows me to assist children is seeing the big picture.
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