James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2024

ED5953 - The Arts for Primary Teachers

Limited to students enrolled in the Master of Teaching and Learning (Primary).

Subject Description

This subject is an introduction to teaching primary school children through an Arts curriculum, which comprises five (5) subjects - Dance, Drama, Media Arts, Music, Visual Arts. In alignment with the ACARA guidelines, it will focus on developing positive dispositions, knowledge, pedagogies and skills, through making and responding to the Arts. Graduate Student Teachers will have opportunities to develop and implement techniques and processes, to explore creative practice and to make art works. As artists and audiences, they will respond to, analyse and interpret the work they experience in the five Arts areas. GSTs will develop arts-based research skills, resources for classroom implementation, and knowledge to extend the influence of arts throughout schools and their communities. As a Phase One subject, there will be focus on Graduate Students Teachers and primary students as learners and learning which will form a theme for the exploration and expression of self and the learning environment, through various practical workshops using arts mediums. GSTs will come to better know their students through promoting experiential, spatial, kinaesthetic pedagogies and arts literacies in the classroom.

Learning Outcomes

• make and respond to artworks critically, appreciatively and analytically
• design, implement and evaluate curriculum, assessment and differentiated learning opportunities in The Arts, with a view to enhanced learning outcomes for all students, including those from diverse cultural, linguistic and socio-economic backgrounds and with specific learning needs
• demonstrate visual, media-based research skills
• apply knowledge and skills in each of the Arts subjects - Dance, Drama, Music, Media Arts and Visual Arts - to demonstrate arts literacy and an ability to use this knowledge to enhance teaching strategies
• reflect on current skills, knowledge and attitudes to manage their professional learning needs and performance, autonomously and in collaboration with other colleagues in creating "virtual" learning environments, using either technology or imagination

Subject Assessment

• Oral > Presentation 1 - (30%) - Individual
• Ass. Task 2: Visual Arts folio on theme of Who am I?(Non-invig/ plus class time) - (30%) - Individual
• Written > Reflection/reflective task 1 - (10%) - Individual
• Performance/Practice/Product > Creative work - (30%) - Group

Note that minor variations might occur due to the continuous subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.

Assumed Knowledge:  Literacy and numeracy capabilities commensurate with a post-graduate student level

Availabilities