Some schools have long required art and music courses, but are they
for everyone?
YES
Art and music should not be afterthoughts in the school curriculum.
Both should be an integral and mandatory part of every child's
learning experience. The arts tie us to other cultures and can be
enjoyed by everyone--from babies to the elderly.
How dreary and empty our lives would be without the beauty of
paintings, photographs, and sculptures surrounding us, and the melodic
tones of music filling our ears.
In addition, several studies have shown that exposing young people
to art and music in school fosters academic achievement in core
subjects, such as math, reading, and foreign languages. In fact, if you
look at ancient Greek writings on music, you'll see elaborate
drawings that resemble something from a geometry textbook.
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
When studying music, students learn to distinguish patterns, such
as the beats in a measure, as they are taught to do in math. Similarly,
the study of music also helps autistic and developmentally disabled
students to grasp mathematical concepts and solve problems.
In addition to instilling discipline and enhancing social and
communications skills, the study of art and music encourages
collaboration--perhaps the most important skill that today's
students will need in the 21st-century workplace.
--JOYCE GERBER
TEACHER, EMERSON SCHOOL, ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN
NO
It comes down to one thing--making sure kids enjoy coming to
school. When students enjoy their classes, they're more engaged and
more passionate. As a result, they excel.
That's why I think all kids should be able to choose whether
they want to take art or music classes. When you allow them to choose
subjects that truly interest them, only good things come.
Kids who take classes that they want to take are better students.
They learn more--and enjoy themselves more.
From the time I was a kid, I knew that I wanted to be a writer. But
in elementary school, I was forced to study the recorder, an instrument
I hated.
In art class in sixth grade, I had to draw a huge tree on 11-by
14-inch paper. I had no idea how to do what was asked of me and spent
most of the class staring into space, dreading that I was failing at
this task and that I would get a failing grade as a result.
I was lucky that my middle school allowed me to take creative
writing instead of art. My writing prospered. Ultimately, the electives
I took during those years helped me to pursue my dreams. Isn't that
what school is all about?
I'm now an English major in college. I've had several
stories published and look forward to publishing more. And I hope never
to play a musical instrument again!
--JULIAN ADORNEY
SOPHOMORE, UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO, BOULDER
What Do You Think?
Should art and music be mandatory school subjects? VOTE ONLINE AT
SCHOLASTIC.COM/JS
COPYRIGHT 2011 Scholastic, Inc.
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
Copyright 2011 Gale, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
for everyone?
YES
Art and music should not be afterthoughts in the school curriculum.
Both should be an integral and mandatory part of every child's
learning experience. The arts tie us to other cultures and can be
enjoyed by everyone--from babies to the elderly.
How dreary and empty our lives would be without the beauty of
paintings, photographs, and sculptures surrounding us, and the melodic
tones of music filling our ears.
In addition, several studies have shown that exposing young people
to art and music in school fosters academic achievement in core
subjects, such as math, reading, and foreign languages. In fact, if you
look at ancient Greek writings on music, you'll see elaborate
drawings that resemble something from a geometry textbook.
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
When studying music, students learn to distinguish patterns, such
as the beats in a measure, as they are taught to do in math. Similarly,
the study of music also helps autistic and developmentally disabled
students to grasp mathematical concepts and solve problems.
In addition to instilling discipline and enhancing social and
communications skills, the study of art and music encourages
collaboration--perhaps the most important skill that today's
students will need in the 21st-century workplace.
--JOYCE GERBER
TEACHER, EMERSON SCHOOL, ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN
NO
It comes down to one thing--making sure kids enjoy coming to
school. When students enjoy their classes, they're more engaged and
more passionate. As a result, they excel.
That's why I think all kids should be able to choose whether
they want to take art or music classes. When you allow them to choose
subjects that truly interest them, only good things come.
Kids who take classes that they want to take are better students.
They learn more--and enjoy themselves more.
From the time I was a kid, I knew that I wanted to be a writer. But
in elementary school, I was forced to study the recorder, an instrument
I hated.
In art class in sixth grade, I had to draw a huge tree on 11-by
14-inch paper. I had no idea how to do what was asked of me and spent
most of the class staring into space, dreading that I was failing at
this task and that I would get a failing grade as a result.
I was lucky that my middle school allowed me to take creative
writing instead of art. My writing prospered. Ultimately, the electives
I took during those years helped me to pursue my dreams. Isn't that
what school is all about?
I'm now an English major in college. I've had several
stories published and look forward to publishing more. And I hope never
to play a musical instrument again!
--JULIAN ADORNEY
SOPHOMORE, UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO, BOULDER
What Do You Think?
Should art and music be mandatory school subjects? VOTE ONLINE AT
SCHOLASTIC.COM/JS
COPYRIGHT 2011 Scholastic, Inc.
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
Copyright 2011 Gale, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.