ABSTRACT
Chapter 2 focuses squarely on arts integration as a methodology for learning, and why it is so important to and for students as they learn. The chapter delves into the role of arts as a source and repository of history and cultures, the role of arts as a common language enabling students to communicate and express themselves across barriers, the role of arts in culture, and the potential of arts for inclusive education and special education. Attention to arts in the lives of adopted and foster youth, Deaf Culture, and youth from multiple cultural backgrounds ground are front and center with several stories of success featured. Technology and equity with arts integration is addressed as are guiding principles for understanding why the arts are so important to learning. These guiding principles address socio-emotional learning including self-esteem, equity, inclusive education, collaboration, intergroup harmony, and empowerment.
