Education Commons^™

Visual Arts And Writing A Mutually Beneficial Relationship, Guy Trainin, Nancy Andrzejczak, Monique Poldberg

Research and Evaluation in Education, Technology, Art, and Design

This study focused on integrating art and literacy in elementary classrooms, grades 2-4, to benefit students’ writing, language, visual art production and art appreciation. The curriculum linked explicitly art making and writing. Implementation in year one with newly trained teachers impacted student achievement positively. Self created pictures drawn before writing enhanced the quality of writing by presenting a physical reality and complex texturing not available to students otherwise. Both writing quality and quantity grew as compared with controls and the school district as a whole. Student artistic observation also improved but still reflected a generally low level. Achievement gains transferred …