Extracurricular Activities
By participating in extracurricular activities, students get the chance of learning individual and group responsibilities, earning eligibility to participate by keeping a minimum GPA, applying academic skills through immersive learning, building physical endurance and patience, and having well developed self-esteem ambition, and relationship abilities (Wilcox, 2012). Such activities also help build a students’ sense of attachment to their school, which can promote attentiveness in the classroom and decrease the number of school dropouts. Wilcox points out that extracurricular participation and attendance rate were significant predictors for language arts and mathematics standardized assessment scores.
Instructional Decision
Being aware of the academic and social benefits of extracurricular activities is central to my duty as an arts advocator and music educator. Music allows expression through a virtually endless supply of outlets; in turn, music and the arts provides multiple mediums in which to keep children interested, active, and invested in their schoolwork. School musicals and plays are excellent events to raise awareness of arts programs to other students, as well as bringing together students from various arts disciplines to work as a whole (AG 1.3, 2.3). Dedicating a week for the arts department to focus on a certain culture or historical period, such as the renaissance or African-American culture and the influence of jazz music, can help children understand worlds outside their own (1.4). Being involved in marching band can also promote motor skills and athletic ability, as well as develop a sense of responsibility, time management, and school spirit and unity (AG 2.9, 5.1). Field trips to concerts or bringing in guest performers to the school can inspire kids to develop their skills on their instrument; moreover, asking students to listen to and reflect on performances and recordings can develop their analytical skills (AG 2.2, 2.7).
Instructional Decision
Being aware of the academic and social benefits of extracurricular activities is central to my duty as an arts advocator and music educator. Music allows expression through a virtually endless supply of outlets; in turn, music and the arts provides multiple mediums in which to keep children interested, active, and invested in their schoolwork. School musicals and plays are excellent events to raise awareness of arts programs to other students, as well as bringing together students from various arts disciplines to work as a whole (AG 1.3, 2.3). Dedicating a week for the arts department to focus on a certain culture or historical period, such as the renaissance or African-American culture and the influence of jazz music, can help children understand worlds outside their own (1.4). Being involved in marching band can also promote motor skills and athletic ability, as well as develop a sense of responsibility, time management, and school spirit and unity (AG 2.9, 5.1). Field trips to concerts or bringing in guest performers to the school can inspire kids to develop their skills on their instrument; moreover, asking students to listen to and reflect on performances and recordings can develop their analytical skills (AG 2.2, 2.7).
