English vs. Language Arts: Bringing the ART back into my subject.

I love words. The images they create in my head, the feelings they make me experience and the release I feel when I let my own words spill onto paper. I have always loved them, very thankful for my life’s passion to present itself clearly at a very young age.

While I have focused on reading and writing my entire life and especially in my previous career of journalism, I didn’t understand how important words were to me until I became a English teacher. How much joy words bring to me on a daily basis.

So why do many of the sixth graders that pass through my room feel writing and reading to be a chore?

This past year I incorporated a lot of art into my curriculum hoping to ignite passion for language ARTS. Working at an elementary level for four years prior to a secondary setting, I wondered if the students or even fellow teachers would find the work too childish, immature. I feel strongly about drawing (pun intended) creativity out of my students and I knew the students would let me know quickly what they liked and disliked. Teaching 100 students daily and living with a teen and preteen I am well aware of their great capacity to make others understand their unhappiness. Rolling of eyes, deep sighs, crossing arms and distraction always keep me and my lessons in check.

So I went for it. One (of many) things I have learned is to take risks with enthusiasm.

And my students embraced it. Many loved it.

And many a day students would be shocked when I told them it was time to clean up. They couldn't believe how fast time had passed. As a teacher, that is music to my ears.

And when we went back for review, their recall of their project was a perfect reference for THEM. Not my reference, but their own. Differentiated learning, booyah!

Veteran teachers complimented me and asked for the plans, saying they wanted more creativity in their classrooms. Teachers I admire and aspire to be like...asked me. My childish tendencies finally having purpose:)

I embraced a working space that fuelled creativity much to my generally organized personality. And the students, understanding my tendencies, would clean up to meet my expectations.

I am looking forward to a year of pushing desks aside, working on the floor, offering a variety of medium and letting creativity lead.

To Come: Lessons that incorporate ART in ELA classrooms.