| Most schools do not put enough emphasis on the fine | | | | sketchbook and so on, the empty page is--the thing |
| arts, namely, as an example--the art of language. In an | | | | that the any artist of the written word must make to |
| English class the teacher will focus on reading skills, | | | | come alive. |
| reading comprehension, grammar and vocabulary--but | | | | As I mentioned before, there is a musical aspect and |
| language arts is recognizing written word as an art | | | | technique to literary language that is hard to grasp |
| form. | | | | without providing prime examples of it. The musical |
| Yes we do want our students to study and master | | | | technique involved in the art of language is well |
| the English language. But the fine arts should be | | | | exemplified by the works of William Shakespeare, but |
| reserved as different kind of lesson, preferably in a | | | | he is just one of many. The poem, when read silently |
| creative writing class that is separate from English | | | | or aloud. Should have a certain song about it. Whether |
| class. But every English class, if there is no specific | | | | it in written in iambic pentameter, as a sestina or in the |
| language arts class required, should at least include a | | | | more modern style of free form, the music should be |
| unit that focuses on the beauty and importance of | | | | there. For example in a poem by Dylan Thomas, the |
| literary accomplishments throughout the ages. Poetry, | | | | first stanza reads: |
| plays, song lyrics, screenplays, novels, from authors like | | | | " Do not go gentle into that good night |
| Shakespeare, Dylan Thomas, Ken Kesey, Harper Lee | | | | Old age should burn and rave at close of day; |
| etc. | | | | Rage, rage against the dying of the light. |
| Language is composed of words--words carry | | | | Though wise men at their end know dark is right, |
| specific meaning and sometimes carry double meaning. | | | | Because their words had forked no lightning they |
| So the primary tool of language is words, another is | | | | Do not go gentle into that good night..." |
| sound. Words are, in combination with an almost | | | | The poem was written as Dylan Thomas watched his |
| musical goal, can show the transformation of words | | | | father lay dying, and there is a beautiful song here. |
| and basic communication into art. | | | | Note the repetition. Note the syntax in which the words |
| Words are to the writer what paint is to the painter, | | | | are used which is different than regular speech--there |
| they are what the instrument is to the musician, and | | | | are articles like "the" or "a" that the author will |
| they are what tone and pitch are to a singer. That is | | | | drop--removed for the sake of rhythm. This particular |
| why children must understand that English is not just | | | | poem is easy to find at the library or on the Internet, |
| what they learn in English class--but the language itself | | | | and I highly recommend it as a tool for any Language |
| is spawned the language arts years and years ago. | | | | Arts instructor. |
| The empty page means to the writer what the score | | | | There is technique and beauty, form, use of syllables, |
| of music means to the musician or singer. The empty | | | | pitch, pacing and sound even in prose. So demonstrate |
| page is the blank canvas, the untouched page in a | | | | to your students the versatility of words. |