Do you give your students other art assignments ?

[m1469]

For example, assigning them to read a certain poetry, other literature, or study a certain artwork or artist.

This is my dream as a teacher (and as a student), to give (and have, myself) a very deep study of and understanding about art.  How much of this do you actually assign to your students ?  And, if you do this at all, how do you go about it ?


Thanks,

m1469 

[zheer]

Am not a teacher, am still learning haw to play the piano, i find poetry to be a great thing to read when you have nothing to do.However I dont reccomend you to force your students to read poetry.

[pianistimo]

if a child comes from an arts impoverished environment, it might be a good idea to explain or show them things they hadn't seen or heard of before.  or, take them to a museum , etc.  especially if there are musical items as well.  i think you have to keep it to music related art ideas - and only after the full lesson.  ie giving them a book to read, a musical dictionary, asking them to go check out (library) art books and come back and tell you which painters they most identify with, cd's of music they haven't played before, recommending a concert, play, opera, or musical, this kind of stuff is probably good for every child.

some kids have an environment at home that fosters the arts - and they go to concerts, etc.  maybe a trip as a class with the piano teacher to see a recital - or hear their teacher play - would inspire them, too. 

[galonia]

I've set my students listening assignments - I give them a recording and make them write about what they imagine as they're listening.  Usually things which are very simple, because my students have always been children.

My piano teacher used to suggest novels for me to read.

Currently, I'm learning an ancient Chinese instrument, and my teacher has suggested I start getting into Chinese poetry.  Particularly since I don't really understand the structure of a lot of Chinese music, he says I need to understand the structure of Chinese poetry, and it's all related to that.

So I think it's often a good idea to give such assignments.