Dana Didn't Know The Difference

The other day in class a student of mine said “I didn’t know that we could learn about science in art class.” In the teaching field this is what is called an “aha” moment, and it’s kinda what we live for. I was teaching my third grade students about shadows and silhouettes. As an art teacher I have learned over the years that this is something students tend to get confused about as it is common to think that shadows and silhouettes are the same thing but they are not!

The day before, I was in an online professional development meeting and our principal was discussing the importance of vocabulary in any given subject. This of course is so true. I introduce my art students to new vocabulary words every week. This week my kindergarten students learned the meaning of incongruence as we studied surreal art and Dr. Seuss. During the meeting my principal called on me, she said “Tiffanie, give me a vocabulary word you would use in art.” “Silhouette,” I said without a stammer. She then asked everyone to jot down in the chat what they thought was the definition of silhouette. Every adult in the meeting referenced the word shadow. I was poised ready to explain how incorrect they all were. Sadly, the principal called on the other art teacher, the one who teaches at the middle school level. She said “Dana, tell us the definition of the word silhouette.” I was disappointed. I wanted to show off my knowledge but then I heard Dana say “it’s a darkened shape, basically a shadow.” At that moment, I died a little. I was astonished by Dana’s incorrect and generic response. Dana was supposed to know better and I was left speechless.

A shadow is a darkened shape, and as such it is two dimensional. It is similar to a reflection in that it is cast upon another surface but different from a reflection because it is not light, it is dark. A shadow is the absence of light and it exists when a solid object blocks the path of light. Often shadows appear to be upside down in relation to the object that is creating it.

A silhouette is the object that is blocking the light. Most often the silhouette is a three dimensional form. A silhouette is created when the light source falls on one side of the object and the viewer is on the other side of the object, opposite the light source. The intensity of the light causes the viewer to see only the darkened shape of the object but it is not a darkened shape cast upon another surface. Silhouettes never present themselves upside down in relation to the object blocking the light because they are the object blocking the light.

What I love about art in school is that it creates a very well rounded student. It draws upon all core contents, quite naturally. Understanding silhouettes and shadows requires an understanding of light and the conversations turn to science. As already mentioned, having a good grasp of vocabulary ensures an ability to understand the conversations that arise in any content area. History can be better understood when one examines the kind of art being created during any point in time as it offers a glimpse into what people were thinking and feeling. Math presents itself in the form of measurements, scale and proportion. Even writing finds its way into art in the way of observations and artists statements.

It’s a little known fact that students that study art in school for four years score an average of 150 points higher on the SAT than students who don’t get the same level of art education. This is significant because it proves that arts have an essential role in creating a well rounded student with the ability to problem solve at a much higher level.

For all of the parents and classroom teachers believing art to be nothing more than an elective, an outlet for stress relief or playtime for children, the truth is that one may even consider art to be the most important of all subject areas. The powerful impact it has on student development and on students’ ability to succeed on an academic level can’t be ignored.