Plato Must Have Known Something

 

 “I would teach children music, physics, and philosophy; but most importantly music, for the patterns in music and all the arts are the keys to learning”

                                                                                               ― Plato

I just joined a great group of parents and teachers at Turquoise Trail Charter School to discuss how  the Arts to be used effectively throughout the school year. Arts integration was a big topic. I've heard this bold idea tossed around for many years as a way to get academics and the arts to play nice with each other. I've only seen it in practice when my now 24 year old daughter went to N.B. Cook in Pensacola, FL for the first 3 years of her education. They did it seamlessly.

I think it must be difficult for classroom teachers to be open to the idea of arts integration and at the same time prepare kids to take those too important tests...you know...the ones with the bubbles that the kids must carefully fill in with #2 pencils? Colored pencils are way more fun! It's a direct contradiction to incorporate creativity and testing in a collaborative effort. I think Tom Chapin said it best in his song, "Not On The Test".

It is an effort worth trying.