OVERVIEW

There are many reasons for integrating the fine arts into our educational system including: creative and critical thinking, flexibility and improved academic performance.  When we see the arts as separate from academic areas and one more thing to fit into our short teaching day, it is easy to push the arts aside since they are not on the standardized testing.   If we look at the arts and movement as a means to deeper understanding, the reasons to integrate the arts and movement into our instruction begin to be more obvious.

 

This workshop guides you to finding your balance.  Through reflection, art activities and play, you will start a “tool chest”.  These tools are designed to help and inspire you to find ways to integrate the arts and movement into your instruction to more effectively reach more students.

  

 

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

Educators Pre-K to 6, Administrators, Teachers in training, Educational Assistants and Aides, Education Consultants, Paraprofessionals, Title 1 Members/Staff

 

 

WORKSHOP OUTCOMES

Participants will learn:

• some of the research behind the arts and movement in brain development and experience its effect

• ways to use movement and the arts to help students to better understand numeracy

• ways to use movement and the arts to help student improve their reading and writing skills

• ways to use movement and the arts to help students better understand science concepts

• ways to use movement and the arts to help students better understand and appreciate other cultures

 

Example of a schedule for a day long workshop

8:00 - 8:30 : Check-in

8:30 – 9:00: Introductions and agenda overview

9:00 – 10:00: What makes the arts and movement so important?

10:00 – 11:00: Numeracy, music, and rhythm

11:00 – 11:15 Morning Break

11:15 – 12:15: Literacy, acting and painting

12:15 – 1:15: Lunch on your own

1:15 – 2:15:  Science, drawing, and movement

2:15 – 2:30: Afternoon break

2:30 – 3:30: Social Studies, dance and empathy

3:30 – 3:45: Questions, workshop evaluations, dismissal

 

RESOURCES

Jensen, E. (2001). Arts with the brain in mind. Alexandria, Va.: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.