Welcome Class of 2016

8th Grade Orientation

January 25, 2012

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There is lots of talk in education about skills needed for the 21st century workplace. Daniel Pink, author of A Whole New Mind, predicts that creative, right-brained people will be in great demand in the 21st century workforce.

Arts are fundamental. The great news is that 21st century readiness recognizes that every child should learn in the arts. The goal is not to turn every child into a professional artist but to give them grounding in the arts. A complete education includes arts instruction. 

Arts are creativity. Creativity leads the list of necessary skills and the arts are the perfect place to cultivate imagination and expression.   

Arts are communication. It doesn’t take long to figure out that kids—even siblings—express themselves in their own unique ways. The arts are forms of communication and strengthening communication is a key element of 21st century skills. The arts are a tool that helps kids express ideas and emotions in a way that works for them.

Arts are technology. Lots of kids and teens are finding media to be an artistic outlet. Whether it is the camera on your cell phone or music editing software on the family PC, technology is an increasingly important tool for young artists. Twenty-first century skills embrace the need for media literacy and many student artists are leading the charge.

Arts are 21st century. The arts encourage many of the life skills desired for the 21st century and these are skills parents want their kids to master. 

 Raising "Art Smart" Students in the 21st Century (Patti Saraniero)