**All Fine and Performing Arts have only one session to “choose.”
- Music is choosing for session 1, Music session 2 is a facilitated networking session, and session 3 is a keynote with Dr. Sandra Nicolucci.
- Visual Art is choosing for session 3, Visual Art session 1 is a keynote with Katherine Douglas, and session 2 is a facilitated networking session.
- Drama is choosing for session 3, Drama session 1 is a reading session, and session 2 is a facilitated networking session.
Session 1 8:30-10:00
Music
Topic: All Areas- DDMs Presenter: Christina Whittlesey
The Chelmsford Music Department worked closely with DESE representatives over the past two years to design art, music, and theatre DDMs at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. The CPS Fine Arts Coordinator will share the Arts Departments’ work designing the assessments, the state approval process, the implementation of DDMs, and most importantly, how the data from the assessments can be used to improve student learning. There will be time for teachers to break into content-area groups to share DDM/common assessment work from their own districts and to get feedback and ideas from other teachers.
Topic: Choral- Acapella Workshop Presenter: Jason Luciana
Topic: Strings– Building a Sense of Purpose for Your Strings Program Presenter: Ward Dilmore
Finding sense of purpose for your String Ensemble and building your Strings Program can be a challenge. Ward Dilmore grew his public school Strings program from 12 to over 450 members and shares his strategies for success.
Ward Dilmore is an Emmy-nominated composer with six albums on iTunes, retired strings teacher, and teaching consultant for Encore Tours. His father authored the Breeze-Easy Method for Strings in the 1960s, and Dilmore has followed in his footsteps, developing teaching strategies that have proven effective in public school class teaching.
He took over 1400 students on nine European concert tours, and currently teaches classes throughout the US and Europe that focus on developing music programs based on brain research coupled with a sense of purpose.
He has presented his strategies in Vienna, Jacksonville U, Plymouth State, SUNY Potsdam, U of Southern ME, and in January, in Prague.
Topic: Elementary Music- Recorder Presenter: Valerie Peters
Does the thought of teaching recorder make you cringe? Do you wonder if you will go insane if you hear “Hot Cross Buns” one more time? Refresh your ears and learn how to infuse your recorder lessons with improvisation and composition from day one. Activities will focus on incorporating recorder with other media (singing, speech, body percussion, and other instruments) to create multi-faceted lessons and performance projects. In addition, this workshop will cover recorder adaptations for students with physical disabilities.
Topic: Band- Common Intonation & Technique Issues Presenter: Jason Beilik & Michael Day
ART
Topic: Teaching towards artistic behavior/choice based art education models Presenter: Katherine Douglas
TEACHING FOR ARTISTIC BEHAVIOR, Inc. is a grassroots organization developed by and for teachers, and supports choice-based art education. The concept emerged over 30 years ago in Massachusetts classrooms through the need for more authentic art making experiences. United through Massachusetts College of Art (MassArt), teachers working in isolation discovered others who also held belief in the child as the artist. With the support of MassArt, NAEA and The Education Alliance at Brown University, the Teaching for Artistic Behavior Partnership (TAB) was formed in 2001 and incorporated in 2007. TAB has become a visible presence online, at NAEA conferences, and at regional gatherings of choice-based practitioners. All choice-based art educators are welcome in the TAB organization.
DRAMA
Topic: Reading Session- New & Old Works/Discussion & Experiences Presenter: Lauren Cochran
Session 2 10:15-11:45
Facilitated Networking Sessions
Session 3 12:30-2:00
MUSIC
Topic: The New National Core Arts Standards in Music Presenter: Dr. Sandra Nicolucci
The long-anticipated 2014 release of the new National Core Arts Standards aroused excitement and enthusiasm for some and confusion and anxiety for others. These conditions persist a year after their release. The presenter served as a member of the NAfME General Music Standards Writing Team and collaborated on the Model Cornerstone Assessments for Grades 3-5. New emphasis on the CREATING, PERFORMING, RESPONDING, and embedded CONNECTING processes requires deep thinking about what music students should experience through our overarching curriculum and daily lessons in order to become musically enabled and literate adults. This session will help participants penetrate and think about application of the new standards to the design of substantive music curricula. Let’s unpack our new professional standards and tap into the exciting energy they generate!
ART
Topic: Digital/Media Arts Presenter: Brett Kunze
Topic: Digital Art: iPad Painting Presenter: Pam Dalton
Teach your students to paint on the iPad using the Brushes Redux app; this is a free app to download and can inspire even some of your most reluctant artists. The workshop will focus on how to introduce iPad painting to your students and the different ways to utilize the Brushes Redux application in your classroom.
Topic: Ceramics Tips & Tricks Presenter: Danielle Milner
A overview of kiln equipment, it’s uses/setup and basic firing techniques. There will also be information on suggested prep and set up for ceramics in the classroom, as well as materials, tools, and troubleshooting.
Topic: Portfolio Prep-how to help your HS artist prepare a college portfolio Presenter: MassArt
This presentation will cover the art school application process–with an emphasis on the portfolio requirement. I will be showing examples of admitted student work and also discussing ways teachers can help students (and students can help themselves) during the process.
Topic: Teaching with Objects Presenter: Emily Scheinberg (PEM)
Explore how everyday objects and artwork can come to life in the classroom. Discover how to promote students’ sense of discovery and wonder, while building critical and creative thinking skills through the use of open-ended questioning strategies. Learn how to use museum education strategies for student inquiry, visual analysis, and engaging students in collaborative learning. This professional development workshop will enable participants to investigate first-hand how objects can be used for a variety of learning activities both in the museum and in the classroom. It will also include a brief overview of upcoming exhibitions and programs at the Peabody Essex Museum.
DRAMA
Topic: METG Educational Opportunities Presenter: Lauren Cochran
The first part of this workshop will be an introduction of the members and a sharing of curriculum. Theater comes in many forms and a variety classes but very rarely do theater educators get to share curriculum. Workshop members are encouraged to bring a syllabus of their course curriculum, exchange emails and begin a theater educator collaborative.
Topics for discussion will include:
- What classes are offered at your school?
- How did the theater program / curriculum get its start?
- Who developed the courses and what is taught?
- What resources do you use?
- Who do you collaborate with for DDM’s and how are they structured?
THEATRE RESOURCES: There are many untapped resources for theater educators, including METG (The Massachusetts Educators Theater Guild). Information about this 78 year old organization and the changes / additions to it will be shared as well as information on how to get involved: the one act festival, both competitive and non-competitive, The Boston Theater Collaborative, The Musical theater (MET’s), the acting and design competition, master class workshops and more.
American Repertory Theatre and Merrimack Repertory Theater have wonderful opportunities for theater teachers to bring students to exciting new works. In addition, local colleges offer matinees high school students. Broadway in Boston has discounted tickets for METG member schools. Contact information will be distributed for these venues as well as upcoming seasons / plays.
Using the media: we will also share what is available on line to help theater educators keep up to date on what’s happening in theater. (i.e. The American Theater Wing videos)
PLAYS TO PLAY: In addition, this workshop will explore new plays available for production as well as lists of high school plays that are performed throughout the country.
Participants are encouraged to bring their own titles of what worked / what didn’t work for productions. Large casts, small casts, multi-ethnic casts – how do you find the play that is right for your school and your students? Resources on where to find plays will be shared.
Topic: Technical Theater 101 Presenter: Allison Kane