Jamie

Higgins
ART 133
9/21/17
The big idea behind Esmeraldas Boutique is getting kids in low-income schools involved

and feeling comfortable at school. In order for students to express and make meaning of art

they need to be fed, washed, and clothed. The negative effect of poverty level on students

attachment to school only occurred among schools with low community level, and the

evidence in this quantitative instances(Eldridge p.34). Students who do not have community

support are proven to not do well in school. The more the school and teachers interact the

better the students do. Esmeraldas Boutique gives the students a sense of comfort and

acknowledgement that people are there to help them if they need it. The big idea behind VTS,

Understanding the basics, is how important it is for you as the teacher to help facilitate and

question the students on art and reflect on them in order for them to get a true understanding.

As the teacher you have to remember to remain open and accepting, that way students will

feel comfortable and safe to share.

Both of these ideas are very important when it comes to teaching in all aspects not just art.

But in order for students to participate they need to feel secure and that is the teachers

responsibility. I will adapt both of these ideas into my way of teaching once I become a

teacher. I will first make sure my students are safe and healthy because if they are not, than

they are not in a state to learn. One thinking this way, Maslows Pyramid comes to mind, all

students are different and we have to treat them as their own in order to help each and their

needs. Adapting to the VTS way of teaching students have the opportunity to think allowed

together but also analyze individually and I think that is very important when it comes to

teaching are, because students see their peers views compared to theirs. Student interaction

lead them to more observation, more ideas, and usually more accuracy(Housen & Yenawine

p.69).
 Jamie Higgins
ART 133
9/21/17
References

Eldridge, L. A. (2012). The ethic of caring holistically for art students: Esmeraldas
boutique. In L. H. Campbell & S. Simmons III (Eds.), The heart of education:
Holistic approaches (pp. 287-296). Reston, VA: National Art Education
Association.

Housen, A., & Yenawine, P. (n.d.). Visual thinking strategies: Understanding the basics.
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