Running Head: ART 133 Unit Paper 5

Sarai Ponce
Unit fives big idea was structures and systems with a standards based 21st century art

approach. Dorns system was much more of a philosophical approach to art education. Really

emphasizing on the different systems of art education. Dorn wrote about art in everyday life

movement and the education for training artists and designers. When you are creating an art

piece you have to perceptually think about the systems you are making it with and the type of

structure you are using (Dorn pg.13). There is a system in place when you are art making even

when you are making art that seems to have no system. Learning how to use your hand/eye

coordination and learning the beauty in art is a system of art making. Structurally learning how

to put art into your everyday movement and design helps when creating a piece that is very

structurally based (Dorn pg. 14) When we look at the standards based art approach we are

looking at how we would teach children art. It gives us a guideline on how we teach art to

children and what materials we use. It also helps streamline the type of work you are giving them

making sure it isnt something beyond there age group. Curriculum and the standards are great

however we must not forget the fundamental importance a free creative space does for children.

Eisner wrote about the lessons that art teaches to children. Art making teaches children that a

problem has more than one solution. Art enables children to experience emotions that they may

not be able to express verbally.

Teaching children structures and systems could look like many ways in the classroom.

Depending on the age group you are working with you can have guidelines on the walls of some

art education ways of teaching or you can have a more relaxed approach to systems and

structures. For elementary learners having an activity linked to art education can make it easier

for them to understand the structure and systems instead of just talking about it. Our studio that
Running Head: ART 133 Unit Paper 5

we did in class making our own art gallery is a great example of a structure of art making. Not

only are we physically making a structure we have to learn the ways of putting it together which

makes us have to understand the system of said art making. It makes us learn that there is more

than one way of doing something and everything has a purpose. For children this can be a great

group activity that you extend over a period of time to ensure they are enjoying and learning the

art education approaches given. You could easily tie in standard approach by making sure all

materials are up to curriculum standards. Making sure you are following standards is important

especially when you are working in an elementary school. The principle is going to want to

know what exactly you are doing with the students and how it is benefiting them. Learning key

lessons like the complex forms of problem solving you will acquire. In art there are many

answers and many ways of getting an answer. Learning how to put your emotions in art work

and seeing how vivid the childrens emotions come to play.

Running Head: ART 133 Unit Paper 5

Work Cited

Dorn, C. M. (1994). Thinking in art: A philosophical approach to art education. Reston, VA:
National Art Education Association.
Eisner, E. (2002). The arts and the creation of mind. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.