Teaching In, Through, With and About the Arts

WHAT
From what I can remember about my elementary education, my upper grade teachers, especially my fifth grade teacher used arts in the classroom.  A few new ideas that I have known but never realized is that art can be used with math and literature.  Many of my teachers did this although I never thought about it until now.

SO WHAT
I have always loved art especially music.  My favorite teacher always had music playing in the classroom when lessons weren't being taught.  I remember doing a lot of art in her classroom.  My least favorite teacher would make us sit and copy from a book in total silence.  As for me being a teacher, I have found that dead silence makes it harder for me to concetrate because I will most likely fall asleep.  By playing music softly in my classroom and having art projects, I will be able to help my students understand and learn better.

NOW WHAT
Now I need to begin to create and gather good techniques and lesson plans that integrate art into everyday curruculum.  I need to practice and understand how effect each technique is with different age groups.