If you’ve spent any amount of time with us here, you know that kids’ art lessons have a positive impact on student academic development and social growth. We’re proud of the work that Northwest artists and our supporters from Hillsboro, Beaverton and all over have put into making free art lessons and resources accessible to children everywhere. Some lessons are created for teachers to share in their classrooms, especially those geared towards art history. Today we’re looking at the benefits of learning this subject for junior high students.
Benefits of Art History Education for Middle School Students
Great learning opportunities can arise in the classroom, especially so in junior high. This is a period of great transition for students both physically and cognitively. It’s a wonderful time to introduce kids to famous painters, sculptors, and other creative artists throughout history. They’re developing the skills to understand complexity and think critically. Below are some of the benefits that middle school students get when learning art history.
Teaches Visual Literacy
Visual literacy involves understanding the parts, processes and ideas behind creative works, and being able to discuss and critically analyze them. This integrates new vocabulary into a student’s world and brings up topics beyond the works of art, such as science, religion or even technology. Visual literacy engages students in thinking deeply about what a creator was striving to achieve. As students interpret what they see it leads to asking questions and doing their own investigation and research, and can contribute to creating their own artworks. These skills are relevant to wider academic learning from math to science, reading and more, yet it can happen in a more relaxed way.
Brings Understanding of Context and Historical Setting
Art is a reflection of the times in which it is created. Art history is an excellent tool for teaching the parts of history that may seem “boring” (at first) to active middle school student minds. Talking about how key periods of art history coincide with the greater historical timeline is something that students get excited about. These discussions can translate into improved communication and comprehension skills.
Develops Empathy and Cultural Competence
Junior high students learn about cultural competency and how to respectfully engage with diverse people by studying major artists and their art styles, as well as the origins of these styles. They learn how art, business and even civic life influence each another, along with the people behind each of these areas. Students may begin to ask stronger questions and make connections between subjects. These are things that develop emotional intelligence as well as intellect.
Promotes Self-Discovery
Art history can help middle school students find where they fit in a great big world that they may be struggling to understand. It teaches about people and societies, and about how the actions of a single person can affect the whole. It’s a time to understand the human condition. Topics discussed in schools during art history can help students feel less alone. And art—through drawing, painting, graphic design and sculpting—is the perfect engine for expression, and a springboard from which a student can expand their world.
Academic learning is often focused on developing a traditional skillset. With art history, skills like critical thinking and problem solving can be taught in an environment that may feel less constrained. This helps middle schoolers with their soft skills that facilitate engagement with others.
Access Free Art Lessons Online for Junior High Students
At Golden Road Arts we aim to provide families and teachers with useful, simple, free resources to help them introduce and inspire a love of art and develop art literacy in their children. Our diligent work to support elementary and middle-school-aged students is funded by assistance from the community. Check out free online art lessons for kids, or you can make a donation to support us.
