Eliminating the arts and PE in schools (public school, economy, paying)

[mellodude2011]

In my opinion removing all arts from a school is unnacceptable. I can say this from personnal experience. I am now a senior in high school and have been in the band, chorus, and theatre program at my school. I just participated in a try out based all district chorus event this previous weekend and saw the Middle School All District Chorus perform a song that was simply breath taking. They recieved a standing ovation in the middle of their song list that didnt end for a surprisingly long time. That performance would more than likely not have been nearly as breath taking had they not had the opportunity to join chorus in elementary and middle school. Removing these programs would be counter productive. In my opinion it is the parents responsibility to get their children involved in extraciricullar activites that provide exercise. My parents always made sure that i was involved in something, whether it was soccer, baseball, football, marching band, or even lacross. Trying to cut out the fine arts and give that class time to physical education is not the right way to go. Virginia is trying to pass a bill soon that will require a minimum of 150 minutes per week in physical education. The passing of this law will ultimately destroy the arts. I personnally am not ok with this. Without fine arts i would not be the person i am today. Nor would i be persuing a career in Technical Theatre at Longwood University next year with a focus on light design. This is a touchy subject that needs to be fought regardless of feelings of individuals. The arts are as necessary to child development as eating properly and exercising are important to proper body growth.

[Milleka]

Originally Posted by Momma_bear

The issue I have with this is that children need to know about art and music whether they will be creating it or not. Not every person is destined to be an artist or musician. Music lessons are for those who want to learn to create music.

However, we all come across music and art in our daily lives and they represent a way of thinking that is different than the strictly cognitive methods that are taught in academic subjects. Learning to critique art and music is a way to teach students critical thinking skills that are so difficult to teach in other subjects. One does not need to be a musician or artist to benefit from that type of thinking.

Learning crafts is not the same as art education.....

There is research that suggests that children who have had music education do better in math.

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

My first thought is that schools should focus on core classes such as arithmetic, Reading, writing, science, and history. We graduate kids that can't think today, can't function in math, have no idea about science or historical events. Sure electives are fine but only after a student has shown competency in the core set of classes.

Now saying that, here is my solution to getting the arts back in class. Eliminate those that are not in school to teach. We don't need more administrators we need more teachers. We don't need to spend a Billion to build a new building when we can spend 10% of that to build mutiple schools. I say that in reference of the LAUSD building the Taj Mehal of schools. What a waste that was. Districts can cut back in other areas other than in the arts and music.

[Jabronie]

Originally Posted by calipoppy

The elimination of the arts (music, painting, etc) and physical ed in most American public schools is the main reason that so many of our children are fat and lack a true appreciation for anything other than youtube, video games and TMZ.

As someone with a 3D Animation and Graphic Design degree and a life long traditional artist; I find the fact you don't see video games as a form of art short sited. I promise you the 3D artist that poured over the textures, animations, and models for countless hours view their work as Art. A well crafted game is a work of Art from the perspectives of visual, audio, and story interaction.

Eliminating any of the Arts (music or media) is a huge mistake that most don't seem to care or realize. Might be because it's so close to my heart, but a world/culture lacking art and music, is not a culture I want to be a part of.

[artsyfartsymom]

As an art teacher I can tell you art CAN be applied to every subject. A big chunk of our CSO's and curriculum has us integrate other subjects into our own field. So, we often incorporate a good deal of reading and writing, mathematics and science, as well as social studies.

Think about those of us who are visual learners. Not all children learn the same way, some are more visual, some auditory and some linguistic. You have to teach to all, not just to some.

Eliminating art and music is NOT the way to go. It will hurt our kids in the long run. Music helps sharpen math skills, art helps with critical thinking and often cooperative learning.

It's those who think that the arts don't matter who are hurting us in the art field... try finding a position teaching art... GOOD LUCK.

[Momma_bear]

Originally Posted by SOON2BNSURPRISE

My first thought is that schools should focus on core classes such as arithmetic, Reading, writing, science, and history. We graduate kids that can't think today, can't function in math, have no idea about science or historical events. Sure electives are fine but only after a student has shown competency in the core set of classes.

Now saying that, here is my solution to getting the arts back in class. Eliminate those that are not in school to teach. We don't need more administrators we need more teachers. We don't need to spend a Billion to build a new building when we can spend 10% of that to build mutiple schools. I say that in reference of the LAUSD building the Taj Mehal of schools. What a waste that was. Districts can cut back in other areas other than in the arts and music.

The thing is that students who study art and music are PROVEN to do better in academic subjects. So-if we want people to do better in academic subjects maybe we should add more arts to the curriculum.

[mimimomx3]

Art, music, and sports are very important- so important that parents should pay for them themselves. Government schools should cover the basics.

[Momma_bear]

Originally Posted by mimimomx3

Art, music, and sports are very important- so important that parents should pay for them themselves. Government schools should cover the basics.

If the arts make kids better at the basics (research shows they do) shouldn't government schools provide them to enhance kids academic performance?

[Wilson513]

Broward County spends 8600 per pupil on its elementary schools. IF they can't find enough money for PE and Art, they need to get rid of some administrators or take a look at entitlements. Most parents could find a pretty good school with that $8600.

[rnc76]

Originally Posted by Momma_bear

If the arts make kids better at the basics (research shows they do) shouldn't government schools provide them to enhance kids academic performance?

I bet 30 minutes of physical activity each day would make kids better in terms of performance and behavior. So shouldn't government schools provide PE to enhance kids academic performance?