Increasing Children’s Art Awareness through Interactive Read-Aloud with Children’s Picture Books in a Multigrade Classroom
Abstract
Purpose: The study aims to increase students' art awareness through children's picture books, employing an interactive read-aloud method.
Method: The participants of the study were a total of 9 students studying in a combined third and fourth-grade class. The study is a case study model conducted using a qualitative research design, document analysis, and observations. In the four-week study, four children's picture books, one of which was determined on the basis of the pattern element, were read with the interactive reading method each week. Immediately after the reading, the students were asked to create drawings inspired by the pattern element and the books. The drawings made by the students for four weeks were used as student portfolios. The data were analyzed using document analysis.
Findings: It was observed that interactive children's picture books read aloud had positive effects on increasing students' art awareness. It was observed that the students were inspired both by the visuals in the picture books and their daily lives in their drawings. It was also observed that the negative attitude towards reading changed positively.
Highlights: The children's picture books have increased students' awareness of art and positively contributed to their attitudes toward reading. Furthermore, children's picture books have enabled students to establish connections between art and their lives.
Keywords
Interactive Read-Aloud, Children’s Picture Books, Art Awareness, Students’ Drawings, Pattern
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