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Kihei Elementary School
This project began in fall 2005, was completed in spring 2007, and focused on the effects of a specific creative writing program along with visual arts lessons. Nine teachers the first year and 12 the second participated in “Improving Writing through Image Making” which included 6-8 week residencies from writer Paul Wood and visual artist Michael Takemoto. Teachers examined how the professional development impacted their writing lessons and what affect the curriculum had on students’ writing, specifically their ability to generate ideas and their word choice in writing.
First year conclusions:
- Teachers grew in their knowledge of art and writing content.
- It encouraged them to establish a trusting learning environment.
- As a result of the new learning, students were encouraged to develop the capacity to think imaginatively which improved their writing.
- Teachers are better able to plan and integrate meaningful arts based instruction.
Second year conclusions:
- Improvement in student writing was highest with teachers who followed up with Wood’s strategies after he left the classroom. The more instruction in imaginative writing techniques, the higher the scores in the identified traits.
- Teachers reported that the following skills improved: use of imagination, creativity, confidence in writing, formulating ideas, enjoyment of writing, understanding of the writing process, and use of detail.
- All of these, except for details, are not measurable through a student achievement writing product. It is qualitative information. However, if students’ attitude, imagination and creativity increase, we hope their scores will improve over time.
- The meaningful impact of arts integrated curriculum is global in nature, like the General Learner Outcomes; it is an overarching influence on achievement.
To order a free copy of short round-up (DVD) on this Kihei project,
email: info@mauiarts.org
For more detailed information on the Kula & Kihei School Action Research Project, view/download our:
5-Years of Research - PDF file
or
Waking up the Imagination through Image Making - PDF file
For information on national research in arts education,
go to www.ape-arts.org
For more information, contact Susana Browne at susana@mauiarts.org
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