Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments (AEPA) Early Childhood Education Practice Test

What activities in a first-grade classroom would best integrate social skills learning with arts learning?

1. Individual drawing projects

2. Creating digital artwork on computers

3. The class plans and works together to design and create a thematic mural with paint and collage

4. Participating in a silent art auction

The correct answer is: The class plans and works together to design and create a thematic mural with paint and collage

The choice that best integrates social skills learning with arts learning is the collaborative project where the class plans and works together to design and create a thematic mural with paint and collage. This activity fosters a range of essential social skills, including teamwork, communication, and negotiation. As students engage in the planning process, they must discuss their ideas, listen to each other, make compromises, and take on specific roles within the group. The mural project encourages collaboration and allows students to share responsibilities, promoting a sense of community and shared ownership of the artistic product. Additionally, working on a larger-scale project like a mural requires students to develop their interpersonal skills further as they reflect on their individual contributions and the group dynamic. They learn to appreciate differing perspectives and artistic styles, enhancing their ability to empathize with others while also fostering creativity collectively. In contrast, individual drawing projects and creating digital artwork generally emphasize personal expression and self-directed learning, which do not inherently promote social skills. Participating in a silent art auction may involve social interaction but does not emphasize collaborative art-making processes or the development of social skills to the same extent as the mural project.