Make It Relevant, Make It Fun, Make It Accessible: Arts Integration in the Classroom
The NET Central City, High School | African American Studies, Civics & Visual Art
Engaging students in the classroom is a multifaceted challenge. They must intake new information, participate actively, demonstrate content mastery, and regulate their emotions—all at once. Encouraging students to participate often means asking them to be vulnerable by sharing their thoughts and feelings. This can be intimidating, especially in front of their peers. Art, however, offers a less intimidating medium for expression and sharing.
At The NET Central City, we explored arts integration in the African American Studies & Civics advisory. Students discussed current laws, such as those on abortion, book banning, redistricting, and open carry, with their content teacher. As their teaching artist, I introduced the history and impact of protest buttons, focusing on how people have historically used art to express dissent.
We examined a protest button from the Students for a Democratic Society featuring the phrase "THERE’S A CHANGE GONNA COME." This button referenced the Sam Cooke song inspired by his experience of racial discrimination at a Holiday Inn in Shreveport, Louisiana. Our class listened to this iconic song from the Civil Rights era, fostering a deeper connection to the historical context.
Next, students created their own protest buttons on issues they cared about. Each student selected a song that resonated with their chosen issue, and we compiled these songs into a class playlist. This playlist became the backdrop as students designed their buttons, blending music and art to deepen their engagement and expression. Using a button maker, students brought their designs to life, pinning their finished buttons on their bags or clothing. They then shared the significance of their creations, explaining their personal connections to the issues.
Listen to students explain the significance of their buttons on This Means a Lot to Me.
Arts integration taps into creative freedom and visual representation, unlocking students’ ability to connect with content on a deeper level. The arts remove the pressure of traditional learning, allowing students to experience and engage with the material fully.
For teachers looking to incorporate arts integration into their classrooms, this approach not only makes learning more relevant and fun but also more accessible. Art can transform the educational experience, making it more inclusive and impactful.
