K.M.'s Book Selection

"The Art Lesson" by Tomie dePaola (PK-5) is essentially an autobiography which narrates how dePaola (as a child) always knew that he wanted to be an artist. Unfortunately when Tomie goes to his first art lesson, his teacher asks the students to copy the same image. Tomie knows that real artists use their imagination and so he asks the teacher if he can draw something different. Tomie displays several characteristics of creative people including: willingness to take risks, perseverance to task, and curiosity. Although Tomie is brave enough to question the authority of his teacher when he asks to do something different, I wonder what would have happened to Tomie if he did not. I chose this book because I feel like it clearly illustrates the importance of differentiated instruction for all students, not only gifted students. Teachers need to be willing to be flexible and provide a variety of opportunities for students to learn differently and to express what they have learned.

While this book would be great to use within the art classroom, I also think it has implications for the general education classroom. Throughout the book, I would ask the students if they think Tomie should have questioned his teacher (Why or why not?) After reading this book, students can discuss what careers that they would like to pursue and what steps they would need to take towards these goals. Teachers can read about other artists and students can do research about these people and the artwork they created. Since dePaola’s grandparents are Irish and Italian, students can also investigate about their own cultural heritage. Students can choose from a menu of nontraditional products to present their research.

-KM (LIB)