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Original Publication Date
2026
Document Type
Presentation
Abstract
Elementary art curricula often introduce global cultures while neglecting local artistic heritage. To address this gap, this project applies place-based education (PBE) to elementary art instruction in Virginia. Integrating personal travel, regional cultural exploration, and literature research, the author developed art lessons connecting standard classroom concepts, such as indigenous pottery techniques in the Shenandoah Valley, to local surroundings. This contextualized approach aims to deepen students' engagement, enhance cross-curricular learning, and foster stronger community connection and appreciation.
Accessibility Note
Content is digitally accessible 2026
Transcription
From the School of the Arts, John Novak, Drawing from Place: Building an Elementary Virginia Studies Art Curriculum. Their advisor is Dr. Yi Wen Wei. We and our students know about our own communities, regions, or state. Elementary art lessons can give a very brief but meaningful introduction to other cultures from around the world. But none of the lessons I've observed as a student or educator focus on Virginian art or artists. I'm hoping to address this scarcity through place-based education. Place-based education, or PBE, is an educational model that uses where students live to help them learn. For example, to help students effectively understand the water cycle in watersheds, a visit to their local river or other body of water might give that otherwise abstract fact or knowledge a meaningful and tangible context in their surroundings. I'm hoping to do this through a collection of art lessons that not only highlights Virginia's unique resources, but supports what they're learning in art and other subjects. Most of my own research to improve my understanding of where I live has been through travel. Every point on this map represents a visit to a town, a museum, a local arts or cultural festival where I've learned more about what makes our state unique. By combining my own personal experiences in travel with literary research, I'm hoping to create a series of lessons that connects what students might already be learning in a normal art classroom to their local surroundings. For example, during a road trip through the Shenandoah Valley, I learned that the same basic techniques that elementary students use to make clay pots have been utilized by indigenous people in our state for thousands of years. I think this is information worth learning and worth teaching to them to help them feel perhaps more connected to their surroundings. by connecting students to their communities not only are we making them more aware and appreciative of the things around them and what makes them unique I'm hoping to use this information to also help students care more about what they learn so they can see this knowledge playing out in their environments. Thank you for your time
Rights
© The Author
Transcription
3MT_Finalist_John_Novak_Captions.srt (3 kB)
Closed caption file
Comments
12th Annual VCU 3MT® Competition, held on October 9, 2026