HOW ART CAN HELP STUDENTS BETTER UNDERSTAND AND SYNTHESIZE ESSAYS ON

ASSESSMENTS AND EXAMS.

ART & Social Studies

Advanced Placement Exams & DBQs

DBQs: Document-based questions found on social studies assessments like Advanced Placement exams. Students are required to

Read & analyze passages and visual images Synthesize information into coherent essay

The New York State is required to have at least 2-3 visual documents per DBQ

DBQS

Examples of

Graphs

Maps

Cartoons

Photographs

Artwork

Text-Based Documents

Eyewitness accountsHistorical passages

So why does art matter?

Art helps students interpret American culture and history alongside traditional texts

Promotes alternative perspective on historical events Strong emotional connections Relate to personal lives

Develop critical thinking skills

Critical Thinking Skills

By looking at visual images, students will be given the opportunity to Consider multiple perspectives Reconcile differing positions Evaluate strength of arguments

All skills needed to think, read, and write critically

How to model this in the classroom

Use primary source documents and combine with images

Create projects that incorporate history and art

Assess students in a manner that mirrors or reflects the type of critical thinking skills demonstrated on AP exams

Become more culturally attentive and appreciative Important art incorporated around the classroom

Why Images & Social Studies Works

Art is a glimpse into American history and America’s culture.

Combining art and text requires independent thinking and interpretation

It stimulates creativityWorks in balance with primary source

documents Provides multiple perspectives on an issue / event