Developing Critical Thinking Through The Arts

From a Christian worldview, scripture teaches that critical thinking is an integral part of human existence. It lays out thought, deliberation, and modeling. The Bible states that a prudent person gives thought to direction and that having zeal without knowledge is not good. It also notes that one should only believe those who model God. Paul, Elder, and Bartell assert that intensive arts training, can prepare students for life and work by developing in them the general skills and attitudes, the habits of heart and mind they need to prevail in postmodern society no matter what career they chose. They continue that intensive arts training in high school increases, not decreases, options. This study showed the ways in which a supplemental resource is used affects student critical thinking improvement. It revealed similarities and differences among use between grade levels and subject areas. It revealed the similarities and differences of use among teachers who used an accompanying teacher/student guide and those who did not. This study's literature review showed the value that various kinds of arts instruction and arts integration provided to developing critical thinking skills.