Finding the Artist Within: Creating and Reading Visual Texts in the English Language Arts Classroom

by Peggy Albers

Finding the Artist Within' makes a case for using visual arts instruction to support strong, complex literacy learning in the English language arts (ELA) classroom. In these full-color, interactive pages, you'll Practice segments that walk you through basic art techniques, principles, and concepts so you can feel comfortable teaching art to your students. Numerous student and professional art images to guide you in reading and interpreting visual texts to uncover students true understandings of ELA texts. More than 20 arts-based ELA lessons and curriculum ideas linked to the IRA/NCTE Standards for the English Language Arts, as well as ideas for designing curriculum with the visual arts and technology in mind. Text sets to help you inquire more deeply into the visual arts, and a glossary of art terms to bolster your expertise. An IRA Book Club selection, August 2007The International Reading Association is the world's premier organization of literacy professio

270 pages, Paperback

First published August 20, 2007

Reviews

[Peaches · Rating 3 out of 5]

"[F]acts are only beliefs at rest, so unfreezing beliefs raises doubt, which is the impetus for learning)"

The above is one of my new favorite quotations! I see this book as pretty forward-thinking for 2007 in some ways. Albers has fresh ideas about inquiry-based learning and what constitutes technology (not just computers!). Though she does use Powerpoint as an example, significantly dating her understanding of tech in the classroom, she does create openings for teachers to consider how to engage and challenge students, which is so needed.
This book would be useful especially for k-12 teachers interested in incorporating art-making into their curriculums, as she provides resources and rationales.