Workshop Date: February 17, 2012
This full day professional development workshop is for elementary and secondary teachers in general arts, dance, drama, film and photography, language arts, music, and visual arts. The workshop introduces teachers to the principles and practices of the Arts Matter Curriculum Project and the Arts Matter Student-led Initiatives. Teachers will have the opportunity to develop their teaching practice by examining new content and teaching strategies that are designed to foster greater student engagement in the arts, strengthen the arts culture of their particular school, and build community relationships in and through the arts. Teachers will share their own perspectives on why the arts matter and how a focus on the role of the arts and artist in society can create real-world opportunities for students to make meaningful connections between arts as a means of exploration (e.g., self, ideas, values, societal issues) and as a means of expression and communication.
The workshop will also examine the process of bringing different art forms and artists together and on effective learning opportunities that foster meaningful connections and partnerships between different arts subject areas. The workshop will provide ideas and materials for addressing the components of Arts Education as specified by the B.C. Ministry of Education (creating, performing and exhibiting, responding), and ways of expanding learning opportunities and student engagement in becoming part of an arts community. Topics will include: Incorporating Explorations of Why the Arts Matter into Arts Education; Enhancing Student Engagement in the Arts: Sharing Research and Practice; Forming and Sustaining Successful Community Artist Partnerships; Creating Student-led Participatory Action Research and Advocacy Projects.; Ways to Strengthen the Arts Culture of a Classroom and School; Building Partnerships Between Arts Subjects.
The Arts Matter Workshop for Arts Educators is sponsored by the Langley District School Board as part of the Odyssey 2012 Staff Development Day on Friday, February 17, 2012.
For further information contact Ken Hoff at thinklangley@sd35.bc.ca or go to the Langley District Professional Development web site.