An Arts in Education Flashback

Let's face it...for most of us, it's been a while since we cracked open a textbook, wrote a book report, or constructed a science project. Much of what we learn in school as children is lost by the time we reach adulthood. But what DO you remember most from your school days? Has a particular concept or lesson stuck with you all of these years? If so, it's probably safe to say it was presented to you in a unique and engaging way. Maybe you played a game or designed a poster...and we all learned our ABC's from singing a simple song.

Arts in Education is our philosophy at Young Audiences Arts for Learning. We believe that the use of arts in other areas - such as science, social studies, language arts, technology, and math - can be a helpful tool to engage children in learning and bring fun and unique activities into the classroom. However, the philosophy of integrating the arts into education is not a new concept. In fact, teachers have been using the arts to engage students in the classroom and aid in the learning process for generations!

Does anyone remember the educational film created by Disney called
Donald in Mathmagic Land? Released in 1959, this was one of the most popular educational films Disney ever created. The movie combines the visual arts, music, and the classic humor and animation of Disney to explain to children how math can be found in music, architecture, painting, sculpture, sports, games, and nature. The short film also makes references to history, science, engineering, and technology. Donald in Mathmagic Land is a wonderful example of how education can be integrated and how the arts can be used to learn about math.

Watch Donald in Mathmagic Land here!


During the 1990s, a couple educational programs on PBS television emerged that taught children about basic science concepts. Shows like The Magic School Bus and Bill Nye the Science Guy are two of my favorites! Bill Nye the Science Guy ran from 1993-1998 and is still frequently used in classrooms today as an educational medium. Each episode was about 25 minutes long and featured Bill, a funny, upbeat scientist who taught kids about a specific science topic. The show
mixes serious science with fast-paced action and humor to keep kids interested and learning.
The episodes incorporate the visual arts and music to convey science concepts. Most episodes contain a mock song parody and a music video substituting a scientific summary of the episode for the lyrics to a popular song. There is even one episode devoted entirely to music!

Watch Bill Nye the Science Guy "There's Science in Music" here!


Who remembers the last time Saturday morning cartoons were an educational experience? I do! One of the best things to ever happen to Saturday mornings was Schoolhouse Rock! This was a series of animated musical educational short films that aired during Saturday morning cartoons on ABC. The topics covered included: grammar, science, economics, history, mathematics, and civics. The show originally ran from 1973-1985 and was revived from 1993-1999 with both old and new episodes. The episodes are only about three minutes long and use cleverly animated cartoons with very catchy songs to teach kids about different scholastic subjects. The great thing about Schoolhouse Rock! episodes is that they are still useful in classrooms today because they truly work. If you have ever watched an episode you know what I mean. You can't help but learn because the song won't leave your head for days!

History/Government in Schoolhouse Rock! (The Preamble). Click here!

Grammar in Schoolhouse Rock! (Conjunction Junction). Click here!

Math in Schoolhouse Rock! (My Hero, Zero). Click here!

Science in Schoolhouse Rock! (Interplanet Janet). Click here!

Integrating the arts in education has always resulted in fun, engaging ways to learn and ensures that educational experiences become lifelong lessons. I can still recite the Preamble to our constitution and sight examples of math in architecture thanks to these wonderful instances of the arts in my early childhood education. So, share these videos with your children, or your students, and continue the movement to use the arts in education as a way to engage children in an interactive way of learning that helps develop valuable academic, social, and emotional skills.

-Angelina, Young Audiences Arts for Learning Intern