Arts integration requires that students do more than repeat (a song), copy (an art project), or follow directions.
I feel like a huge misconception of art integration would be that its about making pretty projects. But I feel like true integration has to have original thinking and some risk taking. For example, making sure the students are inventing their own work not just following a piece of paper.
This led to a realization that the program has been offering teachers strategies for arts integration— “the how”—but hadn’t been sufficiently preparing teachers to understand the bigger picture and the parameters for what constituted quality arts integration—“the what.”
I feel like this matters because many teachers may be implementing engaging strategies without understanding the underlying purpose or standards behind arts integration, "the what". For example, they feel more confident in applying the techniques then understanding why they are using them or vice versa.