ARED 335 : Bridging the Gap

As we learned in class last Wednesday, there are three categories of special needs children: ADD or ADHD, Mentally Retarded and Emotionally Impaired. For each of these students, we found that there are indeed ways to incorporate different techniques by considering the different requirements of each special needs child as they are learning side by side their mainstream peers. Our group brainstormed (though perhaps not very effectively) on the Mentally Retarded Student. This particular special needs student is creative but can become easily frustrated so the instructor must consider this. Along with other considerations for example the student’s favor of solids and materials with monetary value like the “glitter paper” will not only boost the special needs student’s self-esteem but give that student a chance to express him or herself along with the mainstreams and thus show us that art “can bridge the gap.”

Art doesn't have to be Expensive

By witnessing the success of the various Art Workshop presentations this week, I noticed that kids were having a wonderful time making their own art supplies. Take for example the presentation by Stephanie and Kris; by simply bringing in a bag of sugar and some colored chalk, the children sprung into action making the supplies for the project. What they produced in the end, were true masterpieces if I may say so. The point being, this is a perfect example of how art can be infused into the class with a minimal budget. Daniel and Michael utilized another aspect with minimal budget in mind; they used empty PET bottles to decorate and make into adorable musical shakers. Although these are only a few examples, I am sure that by having the students bring in their old bottles, greeting cards, newspaper and other readily available, free supplies, a minimal budget may not propose a threat that would make it impossible to infuse some form of art into the classroom.