Art book created by Misty Lackey for an independent research study project in course: History of Teaching Art Master of Art Education on line program at the University of Florida
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“The teacher should remember that the growing process is more important than the end product –the child more important than the picture.� ~Natalie Robinson Cole
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INDEX
Art Book created by: Misty Lackey
Graduate student at the University of Florida. MAED Course: History of Teaching Art
Title ……………………………………………………………………………..………………………
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Quote……………………………………………………………………………………………..
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Index……………………………………………………………………………………………….
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Personal Intentions……………………………………………………………………
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Summary about Natalie Robinson Cole……………………………………....
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Author and Demonstrator……………………………………………………………..
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Teaching Methods…………….…………………………………………………………..
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Quotes…………………………………………………………………………....
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Visionary…………………………………………………………………………………………..
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Resources…………………………………………………………………………
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The art book was created as part of an art education course, History of Teaching Art, in University of Florida’s distance learning Master of Art Education program. As an art educator, personal opinion believes that “freedom in the classroom” promotes student engagement, self-expression and self-awareness through the creative process of art. An independent research project inspired my attention and gaining interest on the liberal teaching methods of Natalie Robinson Cole. She believed and emphasized “freedom in the classroom” while she offered direction upon request or recognized additional support. My intentions and aspirations for this art book is that it will respectively tribute Natalie Robinson Cole, a woman of individual vision, while recognizing her achievements as an educator, author and visionary of the arts. The research within this art book is supported by scholarly articles, Natalie Robinson Cole’s two published books and her documented interviews with author, Peter Smith. Cole viewed art through and expressionistic frame which contributed to her teaching methods. I hope you may find this art book resourceful as I have found Natalie Robinson Cole’s teaching methods inspiring for my independent study.
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Natalie Robinson Cole (1901-1984) was an educator, author and visionary who believed an artist existed innately within every child and it was the educator's job to reach inside the child to encourage exposure of the inner artist. Although Cole was not an art educator, she implemented the arts within her classroom to encourage student engagement and daily curriculum such as; writing, spelling and grammar.
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Cole taught at the elementary level in the urban West Los Angeles public school district. Her students were minorities, mostly Japanese, Chinese and Mexican descent who were not only challenged with I.Q. or language barriers, but struggled with feelings of embarrassment due to racial or spiritual background. Natalie Robinson Cole believed “motivation through evaluation” of implementing the arts as she encouraged her students to have expressionistic freedom.
“I found an approach that brought satisfaction to the children and to me so I wasn't too concerned with other educational approaches.” ~Natalie Robinson Cole
Creative Writing
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Author and Demonstrator Natalie Robinson Cole’s two books, The Arts in the Classroom (1940) and Children's Arts from Deep Down Inside (1966), demonstrate a direct style of colorful writing which describes her aesthetic teaching approach. Her writing is rich and provides personal experiences which seem to spring to life.
These books were written as resourceful tools for educators to implement the arts in their own classrooms. Cole’s teaching suggestions and
classroom
guidelines provided lively impression while revealing her interest in writing as well as visual art as a medium for self-expression.
After Cole's publication of the arts in the classroom she began presenting demonstration lessons and touring many parts of the country.
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Cole’s Teaching Methods An educator who used art liberally as part of her teaching methods. Implemented art into daily curriculum to strengthen skills and encourage engagement within the subject matter. She encouraged her students to “do their own unique way” and not pay attention to others with worry and fear of making it “wrong”. Imagination, discovery, self –expression and self-worth was strengthened through expressive dance, painting, print making, clay sculpting, creative writing and drawing. Cole believed that creative activity provided health giving benefits which was fundamental to her teaching approach. Although Cole's methods emphasized freedom, her students still received a lot of direction and guidance from her. Natalie Robinson Cole shared her past experiences and challenges as a child with her class in an effort to build trust while encouraging expression and honesty. Students became comfortable with sharing their inner feelings and creatively writing their thoughts. Cole emphasized on freeing the individual and was a true descendent of the early progressiveness.
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"My approach covers all age ranges and is always concerned with personal development “ ~Natalie Robinson Cole
“I found an approach that brought satisfaction to the children and to me says not concerned with other educational approaches� ~Natalie Robinson Cole
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Natalie Robinson Cole: Visionary “The teacher should remember that the growing process is more important than the end product –the child more important than the picture.” ~Natalie Robinson Cole
Cole was an elementary teacher who used visual art as just one –although an important one-of several expressive media.
“Make your picture fill your paper till it bumps the sides” ~NCR
Painting &Print Making
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Creative expression through Dance “Freeing sentences� is the preplanning
approach to creative writing through creative dance. Expressive dance The senses and imagination are awakened. Cole believed that creative writing would release feelings and through a sharing process, find individual release and understanding within the class.
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Resources Articles: Smith, P. (1991). Working with Art Education History: Natalie Robinson Cole as a "Living Document�. Art Education, 44(4), 7-15. Smith, P. (1984). Natalie Robinson Cole: The American Clzek? Art Education, 37(1), 36-39.
Books: The Arts in the Classroom (1940), Natalie Robinson Cole Children's Arts from Deep Down Inside (1966), Natalie Robinson Cole Websites: Natalie Robinson Cole Wikipedia