Italy

Jordan Davis Italy

Italy is located next to France and south of Switzerland. As of January 2011 Italy's population was 60.6 million people, with the 5th highest population density in Europe. Their main religion is Catholic. Nearly 80% of the population is Catholic. Their main industries are: Tourism, iron and steel, textiles, clothing, footwear, ceramics, and cars. Their average unemployment rate is 8.5% with an economy that continues to suffer today. Recent news has stated that they may be the next for an economic bail out.

 Italy is home to many famous artist such as de Vince and Michelangelo. Italy's capital Rome is home to many famous monuments such as the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, The Colosseum, Leaning Tower of Pizza and The Apostolic Palace. The European Renaissance began in Italy in the 14th century. This brought out many famous works including: poetry of Petrarch, Tasso, and Ariosto. This period also had a large impact on the development of their western civilization.

Michelangelo Michelangelo was born on March 6 1475 in Caprese Italy. At 13 he was an apprentice for painter Domenico Ghirlandaio. He went on to work with artists such as Lorenzo de' Medici and Bertoldo di Giovanni. In 1501 he was asked to create a marble statue of David from the old testament, to enhance the city's cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. In 1508 Michelangelo created perhaps his most famous work, The Sistine Chapel. Pope Julius II asked him to paint the 12 apostles on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Beginning in the 1530's Michelangelo moved on to writing poems. In 1564 he died at the age of 88 and is now buried at the Basilica di Santa Croce.

media type="youtube" key="NXyi82dYRxE" width="425" height="350" Education Up until the age of 5 children in Italy attend 'The Epochal Reggio Emilia'. This program encourages students to lean about what interests them. The children determine the base of what they learn. Teachers are flexible in their style of teaching and carefully watch the learning styles of each of the students. They analyze what the students pick up on and what topics interest them. "The activities of the next week (sometimes even the next day) grow out of the results, problems, and puzzles of this week; the cycle is repeated so long as it proves fruitful"(Gardner). This system of learning is designed to encourage kids creativity and imagination. Children are also encouraged to use all their senses and are given a group learning environment and encouraging atmosphere.

Schooling is free for all students in Italy and required to attend from the age on 6 to 16. Students need to make a choice about their education and what secondary school they will chose at an early age. Secondary schools are divided into subject matters such as: Science, language, technical, teaching and professional. There is also a selection of art schools including: art school, dance, conservatory of music, and national academy of dramatic arts. Italian schools offer both a creative and academic base for their education. I think it it extremely beneficial that they offer students the choice on whether to attend an art school or academic school in their secondary education. This truly allows them to succeed in what they love and pursue what they are passionate about. The down side to this is that those who do not chose one of the art schools are missing out on that aspect of education.

Below is a video of a Reggio inspired school: media type="youtube" key="kQdAU7Dm9A0" width="425" height="350"

Conclusion

Italy's art programs are very different from the programs I was in during school. My early childhood education was nothing like their Reggio program. I had a structured learning experience. We had daily lesson plans and planned projects. As I continued on in my education I was not given the opportunity to go to a school for just arts education. I went to a normal high school that offered both art and regular academics. This really surprised me about Italian schools. I thought it was very interesting how Italy splits up their secondary education into different forms of schooling. It is beneficial for those who are good in specific areas however it puts those who do not know what they want to do or what interests them at a disadvantage. Sources: []

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[] Gardner, Howard. "How Cultures Educate" [|https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/it.html#top] []