Democratic Habits In The Art Classroom

This volume explores the ways in which practicing K–12 art educators can engage with students to develop democratic habits. The contributors present case studies based on action research conducted in their own classrooms as part of their master’s in arts education. The text is divided into three sections that correspond to habits the author-teachers cultivated in their classroom: choice, voice, and caring for community. Each author presents real-world examples for development of not only art skills, but also ways of being and interacting that allow humans to contribute meaningfully to the world. Readers will hear from art educators who strive to teach their students ownership and empowerment through problem-solving, independence, and responsibility. This timely book shows how art education is a bastion of freedom in public education, where students and teachers can think and act collaboratively and critically. Book Features: Offers examples of transformative teaching that give students voice, choice, and opportunities to care for community.Provides theory as well as replicable models teachers can use.Addresses the difficulty of balancing student and teacher needs within the politically embattled field of education.Shares the voices of art educators in Midwest classrooms ranging from elementary to high school, rural to urban communities. Contributors: Elizabeth Bloomberg, Jeffery Rufus Byrd, Ashley Cardamone, Kathryn Christensen, Michelle Cox, Jodi Fenton, Samantha Goss, Maddison Maddock, Wendy Miller, Sandra Nyberg, Lauren Roush, Elizabeth Sutton, and Heather Walker.

During the rise of fascism in the early twentieth century, American philosopher and educational reformer John Dewey argued that the greatest threat to democracy was not a political regime or even an aggressive foreign power but rather a set of dispositions or attitudes. Though not fascist in and of themselves, these habits of thought—rugged individualism and ideological nationalism—lay the foundation for fascism. In this study, Nathan Crick uses Dewey’s social thought and philosophy of education to provide insight into and resources for transforming our present-day politics. Through a close reading of Dewey’s political writings and educational theory, Crick elaborates Dewey’s vision of democratic social life and the education required for its foundation. He shows that for Dewey, communication is essential to cultivating sympathy, intelligence, and creativity—habits of thought that form the core of democratic culture. Crick then lays out a broad curriculum of logic, aesthetics, and rhetoric for inculcating these habits in the classroom, arguing that if we are to meet the challenge of fascism, we must teach these new arts as if our civilization depends on it—because in our new age of politics, it does. Comprehensive and pragmatic, this book presents an experimental model of education that can be applied across the humanities curriculum. It will be of interest to teachers of writing, composition, and rhetoric as well as scholars and students of communication studies, pedagogy, and political theory.

This fascinating account details the story of two teacher-researchers—Jennifer, who is African American, and Karen, who is White—as they set out on a collaborative three year study to explore the impact of racial and cultural differences in Karen’s urban middle school classroom. Not anticipating that their own differences would become a threat to their project, the two women describe how they learn to confront and deal with the challenges they face so that they can work together. Their study presents the difficulties and importance of collaborations between teachers from different racial and cultural backgrounds, as well as keen insights into how race and culture evolve in teacher-student interactions. Of particular interest is an interview with the authors by Lisa Delpit and Dr. Delpit’s analysis of their experience. Teachers and researchers will also find valuable practical advice about conducting cross-cultural collaboration and suggestions for persevering during difficult times. “This book is an amazing story by two teachers . . . who take readers on their joint journey through distrust, anger, and fear as they grapple with race in classroom teaching. Together, they build a bridge of trust, communication, and understanding, and in the process they teach the rest of us how to do this.” —Christine Sleeter, California State University, Monterey Bay “Analyzing the complexities of race as it gets played out between teachers working together in an urban classroom is the centerpiece of this excellent publication. Jennifer and Karen’s forthrightness and the clarity of the discussion draw the reader in, and push them to ask, ‘How would I do and what would I learn if I were Karen or Jennifer?’” —Carl Grant, University of Wisconsin, Madison

Many people believe that art education is important, but few can say exactly why. Here, at last, are the results of the first in-depth research on the "habits of mind" that are instilled by studying art-habits the authors argue have positive impacts on student learning across the curriculum. Studio Thinking provides art teachers with a research-based language for describing what they intend to teach and what students learn. This language will help advocates explain arts education to policymakers, help art teachers develop and refine their teaching practices, and help educators in other disciplines learn from existing practices in arts education.

Students of all ages can learn to think like artists! Studio Thinking: The Real Benefits of Visual Arts Education changed the conversation about quality arts education. Now, a decade later, this new publication shows how the eight Studio Habits of Mind and four Studio Structures can be used successfully with younger students in a range of socioeconomic contexts and school environments. Book Features: Habit-by-habit definitions, classroom examples, and related visual artist exemplars emphasizing contemporary artists. Full color mini-posters teachers can hang in their classrooms to illustrate each of the eight Studio Habits of Mind. Sample templates for students to use as they plan, reflect upon, and talk about works of art. Innovative approaches to assessment and strategies for implementation. Photos throughout the book of Studio Thinking signage and activities, students making art, and student artworks. Suggestions for using Studio Thinking for arts education advocacy. COMPANION VOLUME— Studio Thinking 2: The Real Benefits of Visual Arts Education, Second Edition Lois Hetland, Ellen Winner, Shirley Veenema, and Kimberly M. Sheridan

This antiquarian volume contains a comprehensive treatise on democracy and education, being an introduction to the 'philosophy of education'. Written in clear, concise language and full of interesting expositions and thought-provoking assertions, this volume will appeal to those with an interest in the role of education in society, and it would make for a great addition to collections of allied literature. The chapters of this book include: 'Education as a Necessity of Life'; 'Education as a Social Function'; 'Education as Direction'; 'Education as Growth'; 'Preparation, Unfolding, and Formal Discipline'; 'Education as Conservative and Progressive'; 'The Democratic Conception in Education'; 'Aims in Education', etcetera. We are republishing this vintage book now complete with a new prefatory biography of the author.