Keep Art

Topic Sentence:
Opinion Waterford schools must keep the art program. The School Board has said that art may be cut because of money issues. Before they decide, the board members need to understand certain things about art. First of all, art helps students learn. When students work on an art project, they plan, experiment, and make choices. Working like this will help them learn in all their classes. Body Sentences:
Reasons Second, art helps students express themselves. In art classes, students create their own projects rather than answer questions or read chapters. And finally, art helps students understand their world. Art is part of our culture, and students need to participate in this culture. Because of its value, the School Board should Ending Sentence:
Call to Action think of creative ways to keep art rather than just cutting it.

Value Our Art Program

ChiccoDodiFC/Shutterstock

Beginning Paragraph What class gets your brain working and helps you think? You might say math or English, and you’d be right. But you should add one other class: art. If you have questions about the value of art, just consider what Albert Einstein once said: “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” Art is the one class in which you always use your imagination. Opinion StatementBecause art is so important, the Waterford School District should keep the art program.

Middle Paragraphs The School Board has said that next year’s budget will be 15 percent lower than this year’s budget. The Board will have a hard decision to make because one or two programs will have to be cut. Before the Board decides, the members need to understand the value of art.

ReasonsFirst of all, art helps students learn. When students make art projects, they plan, experiment, and make choices. These are the same activities that can help students learn in all their classes. One expert said that art helps students understand that a mistake is not always a mistake. Sometimes, it is just one choice that students can learn from and correct or change. Also, studies show that doing art can help students with their math work because in both classes, students deal with shapes and how things fit together.

TransitionsSecond, art helps students express themselves. In most classes, students sit at their desks and read, write, and do worksheets. These assignments may be important, but they can get boring. In art class, students create their own drawings, paintings, and other projects. They don’t have to worry about answering questions or making mistakes. In addition, students can move around more and share their work. Mr. Larson says his classroom is an art studio, and we are the artists at work. Plus it can make a student feel good when the finished project turns out well.

Third, art helps students understand the world. Art has always been an important part of life. DetailsEven the earliest people drew pictures in caves. Art helps make our culture better, just like music does. So creating art helps students connect with other people in the culture. Sharing art shows how we think in similar and different ways.

Ending Paragraph The Waterford School board may drop the art program because it is seen as an extra subject. This would be a mistake because art is such an important part of learning. Tom Horne, Superintendent of Schools in Arizona, said it best: “If [educators] are worried about test scores and want to get them higher, they need to give kids more art, not less.” So it is important that we think of creative ways to save the art program!