I really enjoyed learning about choral readings, readers theater, narrative mime and storytelling. It was fun watching the teacher as she is very talented in all these areas. I enjoyed the brief moments we had to participate as well. After watching my children miss out time and again on being in the school play because they aren't old enough, young enough, outgoing enough or popular enough, it appeals to me greatly to have a classroom play or readers theater so at least my students will have the chance to participate in something like this.
Two things I have always loved are music and teaching. Taking this class has opened my eyes to the beauty and possibilities of incorporating more than just music into teaching, but all the arts. Feeling like I learned more about the basic elements and principles of visual art, drama, dance and music helped give me a solid foundation to move forward in my teaching. This class helped me see the immense value of integrating the arts and innumerable ways this can be done in the classroom. I looked forward to this class each week and only wished our class time were longer. I feel I am leaving this class a converted teacher and mother. The value of integrating the arts in education did not need to be pounded into my head, but merely demonstrated and introduced to the potential out there. The results speak for themselves.
