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2010 Professional Development Institutes

Arts

Creating an Active Musical Classroom

Course Description:

The Orff-Schulwerk Certification Program for Teachers focuses on the music standards in the Massachusetts Arts Curriculum Framework. Teachers will participate in an approach to music education that engages students in musical literacy, formal and critical analysis, improvisation, and composition. Students in an Orff-Schulwerk classroom compose music, play instruments, sing alone and with others, dance, write poetry and other lyrics, improvise with words, instruments and voice, experiment with form and actively engage in the creative process. Because this approach offers different benefits including coordination, dexterity, and concentration, the technique is often used to teach individuals with special needs; and allows students of varied abilities to participate in the learning process.

This institute will deepen participants' understanding of this nationally recognized approach. Attendees will participate in classes in melody, rhythm, soprano and alto recorder, orchestration and arrangement, improvisation using children's literature, composition using instructional technology, dance and movement, and with content knowledge to implement in their classrooms.

Critical Connections through Visual Arts and Literacy

Course Description:

This visual arts and literacy institute will be based on the Massachusetts Arts Curriculum Framework and the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts. It will focus on personalizing lesson and unit plans that inspire students to read, write, and create through the visual arts. Teachers will develop lesson and unit plans for their classrooms, observe teaching techniques in visits to the Worcester Art Museum, and research and develop innovative ways to use the senses as a springboard for expression in writing and art. In addition to five days during the summer, there will be online follow-up sessions in the fall. This split time period will provide the opportunity for educators to reflect on and assess their acquired knowledge and implement the lesson plans that they created during the summer portion. Participants will share practical applications of their learning through student artwork and writing during the fall sessions.

Drafting the Common Core Standards for Literacy in the Arts

Course Description:

Arts teachers have many unique ways to help students learn about the world and become articulate and expressive speakers, perceptive listeners, and strong readers and writers. Using their expertise in combining literacy with dance, music, theatre, and visual arts, participants in this institute will adapt the new Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts (http://www.corestandards.org) for use in arts classrooms. Working with members of the Common Core development team, they will draft standards that can be used in conjunction with the Massachusetts Arts Curriculum Framework and that can serve as a model for arts teachers across the country. After the summer portion of the institute, educators may continue to collaborate on refining the drafts for additional PDPs.

After a short introduction to the Common Core standards on the first day, participants will divide into small groups for visual arts and performing arts and write/adapt standards to share with the whole group at the end of each day.

These three days will be working sessions and participants should bring laptop computers, if possible. The institute runs from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM each day. Please be advised that due to the current state fiscal climate and the need to preserve core programs and services, the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is no longer permitted to provide food and beverages at events. Because of this restriction, participants may bring their own food and beverages or may purchase them on site.

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