The document discusses using Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) to integrate arts into classroom learning. [1] VTS involves teacher-led discussions about artworks using open-ended questions to develop students' observation, critical thinking, and communication skills. [2] Research shows VTS improves students' language, perspective-taking, and visual literacy. [3] The document provides examples of how VTS connects to state standards for visual arts, English/language arts, and benefits English learners.

1. To Creativity and
Beyond: How to
Integrate
Arts & Tech to
Improve
Description &
Observation
Dr. Lisa Gonzales, Ed.D.
Curriculum Coordinator
Santa Clara County Office of Education
bit.ly/tocreativity

4. What it really
looks like in
classrooms…

5. Welcome to the
World of “Wonder”
 Introduces the world of art
 Guides students to observe,
feel, imagine, process, and
use common sense
Pablo Picasso
 Teaches through talking – Child with a Dove
 Promotes open-ended talking
 Student-centered

6. What does VTS consist of?
 Teacher-facilitated
discussion with 3 questions
 Select artwork
 10 times (every 2-3 weeks)
for 20-30 minutes at onset
 Many follow up
opportunities – reading,
Micius Stephane - Marketplace writing, presentations, field
trips, online research

7. And the research says…
 Improved aesthetic & cognitive development
 Greater levels of articulation and use of
descriptive language
 Greater awareness of perspective of
classmates and artists
 Strengthened visual literacy
 Increased scores in observation
 Above were substantiated in a San Antonio,
TX study – critical & creative thinking with at-
risk and bilingual students

8. Lesson Steps Include…
 Intro the activity – set the stage
 1-2 minutes of silent observation and think time
 Ask questions
 Use encouraging body language and facial
expressions
 Listen, paraphrase, link thoughts and comments,
model proper sentence structure, note
disagreements
 Thank students for their participation
 Avoid summaries

9. How VTS ties to VAPA?
Grade 2 – VAPA Standards
 1.0 ARTISTIC PERCEPTION – Process, analyze, respond to
sensory information via Language & skills Unique to Visual
Arts
 2.0 CREATIVE EXPRESSION – Creating, performing, and
participating in Visual Arts
 3.0 HISTORICAL & CULTURAL CONTEXT – Understand
historical contributions and cultural dimensions of Visual
Arts
 4.0 AESTHETIC VALUING – Responding to, analyzing, making
judgments about works in the Visual Arts
 5.0 CONNECTIONS, RELATIONSHIPS, APPLICATIONS –
Connect & apply what is learned in Visual Arts to other art
forms, other subjects

10. How VTS ties to CCSS?
Grade 2 – ELA Standards – Speaking & Listening
COMPREHENSION AND COLLABORATION
 SL2.1 – Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners
about grade 2 topics and texts with peers and adults
* Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions
* Build on others’ talk in conversations by linking their comments to the
remarks of others
* Ask for clarification & further explanation as needed
 SL2.2 – Recount or describe key ideas or details from a text read aloud
or information presented orally or through other media
 SL2.3 – Ask and answer questions about what a speaker says in order to
clarify comprehension, gather additional info, deepen topic
understanding

11. How VTS ties to CCSS?
Grade 2 – ELA Standards – Speaking &
Listening
PRESENTATION OF KNOWLEDGE AND IDEAS
 SL2.4 – Tell a story or recount an experience
with appropriate facts and relevant,
descriptive details, speaking audibly in
coherent sentences
 SL2.6 – Produce complete sentences when
appropriate to task and situation in order to
provide requested detail or clarification

12. VTS benefits English Learners
 Students are immersed in a variety of
language experiences
 Instruction develops foundational skills in
English and allows EL’s to fully participate
 Communication is the focal point and ELS are
given authentic opportunities to respond
 Non EL students can serve as role models and
use language that supports classmates

13. And the magic questions are????
What do you see
(what’s going on)
in this picture?
What else can
you find?
Walter Rosenblum – What makes you
_____ ____ _______
say that?

14. Wordle
Word Sift
Tagxedo

15. Suggested websites/apps?
 Vocaroo
 Photofunia
 Makebeliefscomix
 Educreations
 Storybird
 Sockpuppets
 Blabberize
 Glogster.edu

17. What
resources
do YOU
recommend?