The History of Creativity: Art and Music
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Main Notes
- Classical education emphasizes fine arts appreciation and participation
- Art and music study ties closely to history in the logic stage
- Students analyze art and music structure during this stage
- Recommended schedule: 1-2 hours each for art and music, once per week
- Art study includes both practicing skills and appreciating great works
- Art skills fall into three categories: drawing, painting, and modeling
- Music study includes composers' lives, instruments, and musical forms
- Students should read biographies of musical greats during history study
- Fifth and sixth grades focus on musical forms and orchestra instruments
- Students should listen to music from the periods studied in history
Cue Column
- How does classical education approach fine arts?
- What's the connection between art/music and history in the logic stage?
- What skills do students develop in art and music during this stage?
- What's the recommended time allocation for art and music study?
- What are the two main components of art study?
- What are the three main categories of art skills?
- What does music study include at this stage?
- How should students incorporate composer biographies into their study?
- What's the focus of music study in fifth and sixth grades?
- How should students approach listening to music in relation to history?
Summary
The classical education approach to art and music in the logic stage emphasizes a deep connection with history. Students not only continue to appreciate art and music but also begin to analyze their structures and forms. The curriculum recommends dedicating 1-2 hours each week to both art and music studies, ideally scheduled as separate sessions.
Art education at this stage is twofold: students practice art skills (drawing, painting, and modeling) and learn to appreciate great works of art. The study of art is closely tied to the historical periods being studied, with students creating biographical sketches of artists and noting important dates on their history timeline.
Music education follows a similar pattern, focusing on composers' lives, musical instruments, and musical forms. Students are encouraged to read biographies of great composers and musicians in conjunction with their history studies. In the earlier years of this stage (fifth and sixth grades), there's a particular emphasis on understanding musical forms and the instruments of the orchestra. Throughout this period, students should listen to music from the historical periods they are studying, creating a rich, interdisciplinary learning experience.
Action Items
- Reserve 1-2 hours for art study once per week
- Reserve 1-2 hours for music study on a different day of the week
- Consider scheduling sessions for late afternoon or early evening
- Alternate between art skills and art appreciation weekly
- Focus on drawing, painting, and modeling skills
- Use recommended textbooks or curricula for instruction
- Spend approximately 6 lessons each on drawing, painting, and modeling per year
- Read about artists encountered in history lessons
- Enter artists' birth and death dates on the history timeline
- Prepare brief biographical sketches of artists for the history notebook
- Study and analyze works of the artists under consideration
- Study composers' lives in conjunction with history lessons
- Record composers' birth and death dates on the timeline
- Listen to works by the composers being studied
- Focus on musical forms and instruments of the orchestra in earlier grades
- Align music listening with historical periods being studied
- Acquire suggested textbooks and materials for art skills development
- Obtain recommended books and resources for art appreciation
- Use suggested music appreciation resources, including biographies and listening materials
- Consider subscribing to online resources or purchasing educational CDs for additional content