Chapter 3 Reflection

After reading chapter 3 in Rethinking Curriculum in Art I learned that it is very important help your students find enduring ideas in artwork. It is even important at the elementary school age level, because it is a matter of conceptualizing enduring ideas in an accessible manner. I learned in this chapter that the 1960's curriculum reform movement led by Jerome Bruner sought to strengthen schooling through a focus upon discipline structures, constructing knowledge to be absorbed, which I thought was very interesting. It is good for students to relate artwork to things that are actually going on in their lives, as a way for them to express their feelings. I also learned that enduring ideas can direct an entire course of study, a single unit, or an entire curriculum, which is why they are so important. When trying to figure out enduring ideas it is important to consider key concepts first, and even make a list of them to help generate ideas about where the enduring idea is going. Another significant component to enduring ideas is coming up with essential questions. Essential questions synthesize key concepts and bring focus to the unit. Essential questions are not only important for the teacher but they are also important for the students to stay on track. I felt that this chapter was very informational and I learned new concepts about art that I did not know before!