Arts Integration & 10 Supplies You Need to Make it Happen

Arts Integration 101 & the Supplies You Need for Your Learning Space to Make it Happen
By Estella Owoimaha-Church 

We have all had at least one morning where you have, literally, lesson-planned on your morning commute to work. Well, on mornings like this, I am glad I am familiar with arts integration. Supporting arts integration in your learning space does not have to be another “thing” on your massive to-do list in the classroom. There are variant degrees and many ways to integrate art effectively and regularly. 

The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts does a great job in defining what arts integration is as well as provide a plethora of resources and materials to aid in the process. Arts integration is defined as:

...an APPROACH to TEACHING in which students construct and demonstrate UNDERSTANDING through an ART FORM. Students engage in a CREATIVE PROCESS which CONNECTS an art form and another subject area and meets EVOLVING OBJECTIVES in both.” 

(For an in-depth explanation of the above, please read the Kennedy Centers definition of arts integration.)

In other words, there are levels to this and degrees to which arts integration might manifest in your learning spaces. You might consider redesigning your whole space over the summer in order to make arts integration a more regular part of your practice. This could be as simple as ensuring there are always some basic art supplies available in the corner of your room. You might start with revamping a single unit to include a more creative approach to a formative assessment. Either way, it should not feel like another bullet on your long list of things to do, nor should it feel inauthentic for you or learners. Aside from the Kennedy Center, Edutopia has also curated a useful list of resources related to arts integration as well. 

I am all about arts integration in our learning space. As an English and Theatre Arts educator, it comes naturally for me and I embed the arts as  often as I can, as thoroughly as I can. Below are some of my go-tos to support arts integration and students’ varied learning styles. 

• PBL - Project Based Learning is a great way to embed multiple learning styles as well as alternative assessment strategies. Students might find opportunities to present materials or findings, create models, and experiment. It's also a great way to ensure that learning is rooted in real-world applications providing students with much needed value and utility. The Buck Institute has amazing supports for PBL. 
  
• Interactive Notebooks with Doodle Notes - So, interactive notebooks are great to use in class - no matter the discipline or grade level. You can take them up a notch by incorporating doodle or sketch noting. It encourages learners to connect with direct lectures or text in a more personal way as well as retention. Sunni Brown, in her TED Talk, shares why Doodlers must unite. Pinterest is sometimes a rabbit hole of fun for teachers but here is a great board for interactive notebooks. 
  
• One-Pagers - This activity is an oldie but goodie. It is cross-curricular and interdisciplinary. It can be used in nearly any type of learning space. It's easy to access for most learners. But most importantly, it's easy to do on those days you totally forgot to lesson plan. Here is another board with interdisciplinary ideas for implementing one-pagers. ​
  

Above are some very basic supplies and tools to keep handy in your learning space. With these items, arts integration can happen on the fly, daily or as a larger part of your most thought-out lesson plan. You might be happy or surprised to find, the list is quite lo-tech and basic. I wouldn’t be shocked if you already had several of these in your space already. 

• White Kraft Butcher Paper Roll: Great for sketchnoting and afterwards, instant anchor charts. 
• Super Sticky Big Note: Great for one-pagers and literature circles. 
• Sharpie Flip Chart Markers: Helps with doodling and sketching.
• Amazon Basics Glue Sticks: Essential in facilitating interactive notebooks. 
• Post-Its: So much can be done with these. Get creative.
• Mini Whiteboard Sets: Great way to include formative assessment strategies that also support art. 
• Oontz Bluetooth Speaker: Movement and music can enhance your space in so many ways. I suggest a good lo-fi station. 
• Boomwhackers Scale Set: While these may be great with younger learners, secondary kids can appreciate them as well. Integrate in a lesson on iambic pentameter or slam poetry. 
• Mead Composition Books: So I said the glue stick were essential for interactive notebooks? Well, the notebooks are really essential. And if you are really looking to save, take them to HomeDepot and ask if they can cut them in half for you. 
• Affirmators: These cards + a journal (notebook) + creative writing prompt = arts integration, social emotional learning, and community building. 

We know that our babies and kiddos each have unique learning styles; visual, kinesthetic, auditory, etc. We also know neither of these learning styles are mutually exclusive and due to varied learning needs we must differentiate. Sometimes it feels impossible to do so effectively and in a way that best supports individualized instruction. The beauty of arts integration, and tools like sketchnoting, is that learners are able to connect with content in a personal way as well as receive direct input through more than one modality. When this happens, the learner’s experience is authentic and information is retained at greater rates. Additionally, avenues towards supporting social emotional learning open up. That’s a whole lot of birds with one tiny little pebble. So, why not give it a shot? Start small and do what whatever you can do. 

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