IDEAS Workshops
HOT Schools and HOT Readers

Synopsis

HOT (Higher Order Thinking) Schools are designed with three guiding principles: strong arts programs, arts-infused curriculum, and democracy. This session will guide participants to understand the principles behind HOT schools, how they work in practice, and the challenge and excitement of creating schools that celebrate the child’s voice.

Goals

Through participation, attendees will:

• Learn the basic theory of HOT Schools.
  

• Engage in experiences that will allow early experimentation with the arts, arts-infused curriculum, and democracy.
  
• Explore the artistic processes of creating, performing, and responding in music, visual art, dance/movement, drama, and language arts (writing).
  
• Experience classroom-tested activities at several developmental levels (primary, intermediate, upper elementary or middle school) that engage the learner in using higher order thinking skills to construct discipline based understandings and skills.
  
• For primary groups, learn about HOT Readers: a successful music, movement, and emergent literacy program.

Participant Groupings

Whole school faculty, Primary discipline based and classroom teachers together, district-wide groups.

Suggested Time

One- or two-day introductory session; two-day follow-up recommended.