EdTPA and the Power of Arts Integration, The

The edTPA (teacher performance assessment) is a nationally administered performance-based, subject-specific assessment used to emphasize, measure and support the skills and knowledge that all teachers need in the classroom (http://edtpa.aacte.org/faq). During my student teaching experience, I taught three lessons about fractions and accomplished three interconnected assessment tasks: (1) planning, (2) instruction, and (3) assessment. My third grade class learned about fractions on a number line, equivalent fractions, and comparing fractions. In addition to the elementary mathematics edTPA, I explored how arts integration enhances the learning opportunities of students. Arts integration is an approach to teaching in which students demonstrate their understanding of a subject through art. Arts integration allows students to engage in a creative process that connects the arts with another core subject. Arts integration is important because it supports student learning. It deepens critical thinking, collaboration, and communication skills. Furthermore, incorporating the arts into school subjects promotes higher-level thinking skills and drives creative inquiry. Through creative inquiry, students can answer questions, solve problems, and take on new challenges. Incorporating the arts into the curriculum is essential because it engages students in the learning process. Arts integration offers a powerful way for students to gain meaning of a particular subject. My senior project aimed to incorporate the arts into the subjects of mathematics, literacy, and social studies. By teaching through the arts, I was able to empower the students to use their creativity and imagination to understand curricular concepts.