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Nearly 60 elementary schools in Utah are using art to help students get smart. It's all because of a new state-funded art program.
Research suggests that art can actually help students with core subjects like math, science and English. The Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts Learning Program is helping schools mix the two together.
Chris Peterson is Dilworth Elementary's art specialist, and the artists in training are Mrs. Ostler's first-grade class.
Today, they're getting inspiration from van Gogh. Max says, "We just draw our paintings and all that stuff, and I added a lot of details and stuff." And because they're having so much fun, they don't even notice what they're really doing. Peterson says, "I've been collaborating with all the regular classroom teachers to find out what they're learning in the core curriculum in their classrooms."
Sarah says, "We learned about sunflowers, and we drew them."
"I think it's fun and that we're learning a lot of stuff," says Maxine.
The 59 schools involved in the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts Learning Program use all kinds of art to reinforce core curriculum.
Oakridge Elementary, for instance, uses music. The program was funded by the Legislature back in March, and almost $16 million will be paid out over the next four years. "Using art to teach is such a powerful tool," Peterson says. "You can get them interested. They can learn things with their eyes instead of just zoning off and daydreaming."
The Utah Arts Council backs this program and hopes that when it ends in four years, they'll be able to expand it and offer it to other schools.
E-mail: corton@ksl.com
