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by Dianne Lindenmeyer
July, 2000
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Kaleidoscope 2000, a learning institute for area educators, was held at Joy School. Representing seven MCAS elementary schools, two MCAS middle schools, and one parochial school were teachers and staff who touch children's lives from kindergarten through 7th grade. An accurate description of this group might be: A Community of Learners.
During the last three days in June, 2000, teachers were challenged to observe, participate and create. Dr. Sue Snyder and Dr. Jan Radford, Director of Curriculum with MCAS, led the Kaleidoscope 2000 Summer Institute. Dr. Snyder is an independent consultant for arts integration, textbook author, and president of IDEAS. She and Dr. Radford have conducted summer institutes with the focus on integrating the arts into the curriculum since 1996. Dr. Radford secured funding for this project through an Educate Indiana grant. In addition to the summer institutes, a local cadre of teachers, under their direction, has been training to lend support to the summer workshops.
Most would agree that art, music, physical education, and drama are important in the educational process. However, current research shows a clear link that a strongly infused arts curriculum is related to improved learning and student test scores. The arts need to be taught as separate disciplines, as well as through other curricular areas. By integrating the arts with other areas, a strong link to learning is created for our children.
During these June "vacation" days, approximately 80 area teachers became introduced to ways in which they could use the arts to improve their instruction and student learning. Through modeled lessons, Sue Snyder used the arts to teach about Greek legends, the water cycle, and plants. Students were an integral part of the lessons. Student volunteers were from Barker Middle School, and Niemann School, grades 2 and 4. Each day the participants observed a model teaching lesson, and then became students themselves in movement, music and visual arts activities. Later they planned for the coming school year and even had homework!
Over the past four years, educators have explored such books as:
Teaching with the Brain in Mind,
Powerful Learning
,
Brain Gym,
Integrate with Integrity,
and National Standards for the Arts. Professional reading
for this year's institute came from
Visual Tools for Constructing Knowledge
by David Hyerle. From
brainstorming webs to thinking maps, the author presents visual cues for
students to use as they study. The institute used mapping in daily
activities for teachers. The activities created experiences on which they
can draw as they return to their classrooms in August.
This community of learners completed the institute with a celebration. In addition to recognizing our talented educators throughout Michigan City other members of the community received awards. Barbara Stodola, Director of the Blank Center for the Arts, and Betty Locke, retired teacher and volunteer for the Blank Center for the Arts, were personally recognized for their contribution to the Kaleidoscope program. Their leadership and participation in connecting the Frank Lloyd Wright exhibit and learning for our students was greatly appreciated.
Our "community of learners" has adjourned for the summer. They left with lots to think about. Some may even have left singing or dancing.
