Examining the Role of Arts Integration in the Classroom for Refugee Students from the Perspective of Teachers

Presenter's Name(s)

Sarah Lincoln, UVMFollow

Conference Year

January 2020

Abstract

This is a qualitative case study taking place at a local K-5 school in Burlington, Vermont. This study examines the role that arts integration plays in the classroom with young refugee students. The arts, as a creative medium, stimulate cognitive development, encourage innovative thinking and creativity, engender understanding of the importance of cultural diversity, and reinforce behavior patterns underlying social tolerance (Papouli, 2017, p. 780). Art can be used as a therapeutic tool for children who have experienced trauma (Rowe, 2018, p. 27). Art-making is naturally a self-reflective process that allows for the expression of identity and culture. Arts integration may be a tool to meet the increasing need of English Language Learners in schools in the United States and meet the demand for culturally responsive teaching practices. In this study, I question how art is utilized in the classroom, whether arts integration has a role of enhancing the education of refugee students, and how.

Primary Faculty Mentor Name

Cynthia Reyes

Secondary Mentor Name

Holly Busier

Status

Undergraduate

Student College

College of Education and Social Services

Program/Major

Elementary Education

Primary Research Category

Social Sciences

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Examining the Role of Arts Integration in the Classroom for Refugee Students from the Perspective of Teachers

This is a qualitative case study taking place at a local K-5 school in Burlington, Vermont. This study examines the role that arts integration plays in the classroom with young refugee students. The arts, as a creative medium, stimulate cognitive development, encourage innovative thinking and creativity, engender understanding of the importance of cultural diversity, and reinforce behavior patterns underlying social tolerance (Papouli, 2017, p. 780). Art can be used as a therapeutic tool for children who have experienced trauma (Rowe, 2018, p. 27). Art-making is naturally a self-reflective process that allows for the expression of identity and culture. Arts integration may be a tool to meet the increasing need of English Language Learners in schools in the United States and meet the demand for culturally responsive teaching practices. In this study, I question how art is utilized in the classroom, whether arts integration has a role of enhancing the education of refugee students, and how.