Using the Arts in Social Studies

A Review of: “Three Methods for Teaching the Social Studies to Students through the Arts” by Ronald Morris and Kathryn Obenchain from the journal Canadian Social Studies.

This is a useful article for teachers who wish to offer a variety of instructional approaches to their Social Studies classes. According to the authors the benefits of using the arts in Social Studies are many, but most concisely expressed the use of artistic forms which relate to the curriculum provide students with an opportunity to interact with their subject matter in a more active and impactful way, thus increasing the potential for learning.

The article, through the description of three possible classroom methods, provides teachers with practical guidance on how to incorporate the arts into Social Studies,. The first method is termed the “scripted” method and it involves students following a prescribed experience such as a historically based dialogue. The next method is the “interpretative” method which requires students to interpret a work of art relavant to the course material. The final method is the “original” method which involves students expressing what they have learned from the curriculum through the creation of a new work of art.

The article presents ideas for classroom art activitites that are varied enough to appeal to a even the most creatively reticent teacher, but it could also be concluded that a central tenant of the article is to encourage teachers to provide activities that will stimulate student creativity and exploration rather than merely focusing on the teachers' existing knowledge and strengths.