Benefits of re-integrating visual arts into fifth grade curriculum : a focus on English language arts and science

The benefits of the visual arts in the classroom are many; however, due to current legislation such as No Child Left Behind, visual arts are diminishing along with the cognitive and emotional benefits they have on fifth grade student learning. The purpose of my project is to discover the benefits that the visual arts offer to enhance fifth grade student learning through a vast literature review, teacher interviews, a student survey, and an integration of visual arts across the curriculum with a focus on English language arts and science. My findings indicate that the visual arts foster student learning beyond the classroom walls, while at the same time enhancing the development of the child as a whole