Visual Arts - NCCA

The teacher
The role of the teacher as artist is also fundamental in
the teaching of visual arts. Art is a language in its own
right, a visual/tactile language of communication. In
the same way that the student learns oral language,
the teacher has a modelling function. This is especially
true of the student with mild general learning
disabilities, as the facility for seemingly automatic
learning is usually impaired to some degree.
School community
The school community should
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use the decorative quality of some artwork to
enhance the aesthetic character of the school
respond to the expressive aspect of art
communicate with art
record events and happenings through art
emphasise the potential for learning using art
processes
use the student’s art for graphic purposes in
newsletters, the school calendar, on handbooks,
and in school greetings cards
foster the spiritual/moral development of the
student by using students’ art for religious
ceremony and other celebrations.
Guidelines Mild General Learning Disabilities / Visual Arts / PRIMARY
Enhancing self-concept
The visual arts curriculum provides the student with
mild general learning disabilities with opportunities
for enhancing self-concept through self-perception
and discovery. Of vital consequence to the student’s
achievement is the esteem-enhancing aspect of
art that allows for a variety of responses and which,
in turn, allows for communication and positive
experiences.
Visual art is an integral component in all our lives. It
is in the setting of a table, in the presentation of food,
in the way in which we choose to decorate our living
spaces, and in the way in which we respond to the
environment. It could be said that many of the choices
that we make for living are influenced by our aesthetic
sensibility and our awareness of functionality and selfexpression.
Such edification needs to be nurtured and
developed. The student with mild general learning
disabilities will require structured and considered
facilitation in learning skills and knowledge that have
the potential to enhance the quality of everyday life.
Having the ability to control one’s environment and
one’s communication offers empowerment to the
individual.
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