A cross-disciplinary curriculum of art and writing: Using the sensory properties to teach printmaking, book making, and creative (memoir) writing

Abstract

This study examines a cross-disciplinary curriculum that uses guided imagery and writing warm-ups to enhance student awareness of sensory properties in the teaching of printmaking, book making and memoir writing. I questioned whether implementation of such a course could: (1) increase student motivation? (2) show improvement in student writing? (3) show student comprehension and application of basic printmaking and book making techniques? (4) show evidence of experimentation in student artwork that results from an awareness of the sensory properties? The curriculum was taught to two courses of middle school students during the University of Arizona's SEEK (Summer Education Enrichment for Kids) program. Each course was two weeks' duration for two hours a day. Quantitative and qualitative results indicate an improvement in student writing and a comprehension and application of printmaking and book making techniques, in addition to experimentation in art as a result of awareness of the sensory properties. Evidence also suggests that both subjects enhance one another when taught together.