TEACHER'S CORNER: STUDENTS LEARN ART THROUGH LESSONS IN MATH, HISTORY

OAK RIDGE -- Carleen Johns teaches art at Oak Ridge schools, but her students learn just as much about math, science and social studies when they enter her classroom.

One project that teaches a combination of art and history is a lesson on Michelangelo. Johns lectures first about Michelangelo and his life before the students start their projects on paper taped to the bottom of a desk or table.

"The first time I taught this lesson, the high school principal happened to walk by and had to stop in to see why everyone was under the tables," she said. "I quickly explained that the first-graders were drawing pictures in a way similar to Michelangelo when he painted the Sistine Chapel."

Johns has been teaching in the Oak Ridge District for three years. She tries to relate art to lessons being taught outside her classroom.

"I believe that art curriculum can enhance lessons taught in regular classes, especially math, science and social studies," she said.

To enhance their learning experience, fifth-grade students work on geometric designs in art when studying a math unit in geometry, and third-graders make puppets to use in a reading story later.

Johns also teaches junior and senior high art classes, a publications class, which produces the yearbook and school magazine, and is sponsor of the art club and junior class.

Most of the high school students' artwork is displayed in the cafeteria where it can bee seen by the public at ball games and other school activities, Johns said, adding that many students participate in art competitions in Southeast Missouri.

Johns is a graduate of Leopold High School and Southeast Missouri State University. She has taught art, English, journalism and has been a school counselor for 12 years. She and her husband, Bill, have two children.