HOT Schools 2006 Summer Institute
“The Art of Higher Order Thinking”

July 10 ~ 13                  Morning Tracks           9:30 ~ 12:30

T1.   Arts-Infused Approach to Early Literacy
Facilitator: Sharon Berndt & Mike Kachuba

Take part in an arts-rich experience that has motivated readers in the John Lyman School and other elementary schools across the country.  Music, movement, visual arts and reading instruction are so tightly woven that children and teachers see this intervention as a self-esteem booster and motivator for all children, especially those we have formerly labeled as "at-risk."  This approach is a true collaboration.  Come and learn to make your interactions with children a celebration of arts and learning.

T2.   Curriculum in Motion
Facilitator: Celeste Miller

Experience an arts integrated approach that uses dance / movement and the choreographic process as tools for teaching units of academic study. Participants will experience the process of embodying a topic of classroom study (from the sciences to language arts) and then explore how to adapt this to developing their own lesson plans. Both academic and arts standards are addressed in this unique classroom approach..  

T3.  Embodying Understanding: Mime Fundamentals
Facilitator:  Christopher Eaves

Turn your classroom into a learning laboratory by incorporating theatrical structures and techniques to create lasting, learning experiences for your students. Explore ways in which theatre processes can be used to examine ideas with students. Emphasis will be placed on developing teaching strategies to facilitate student translation of ideas into new context, make inferences, and deepen understanding and comprehension. Exploring the intrinsic connections between the arts and learning in relation to Multiple Intelligences Theory and Bloom's Taxonomy, teachers will develop skills for using the fundamentals of theatre with students for application, experimentation, organization, and synthesis of academic content and crafting appropriate questions to extend learning.

T4.  Higher Level Learning: Making the Connections
Facilitator: Gail Freeman

Expect to challenge your own thinking and creativity as a learner. This interdisciplinary track will focus each day on one discipline in depth – writing, reading and math – and connect them to the arts.  Participants will look at the hierarchy of revision and how to get students to move up the steps to become purposeful, independent revisers. Participants will plan for developing active, independent readers who respond critically and thoughtfully to books.  They will explore ways to get students generating multiple strategies and solutions in math. These elements will combine to understand how all this gets applied by children in their personal research projects.  Participants will come away excited, with something new to use in the classroom. (Most appropriate for grades 3-6.)

T5.   Integrating Arts Through Student Style and Multiple Intelligences
Facilitator: Ann Daly Klein and Victor Klein

Learn how to implement a holistic teaching and learning program that incorporates two powerful researched based models through the vehicle of the arts: Multiple Intelligences and learning preference. During this interactive experience, participants will determine their own learning style and preferences.  They will leave with models that will accommodate a full range of student diversity. Examples of lesson plans will be provided to assure practical applications.

T6.  REVELATIONS:  Exploring Curriculum Design Through an Alvin Ailey American Masterpiece
Facilitator: Deborah Brzoska

Actively explore the disciplines of dance, music, and theatre through an American master work.  The National Endowment for the Arts’, American Masterpieces program intends to bring the best of America’s cultural and artistic legacy to its citizens.  This track will focus on creating authentic arts integrated curriculum through the choreography of Alvin Ailey.  The life and work of this great American dance artist serves as a stunning record of life in America from the days of slavery to modern times.  Participants will examine the alignment of state standards in each arts content area with social studies and language arts through REVELATIONS..

T7.  Think Like a Genius
Facilitator: Suzanne Petersen

Learn how to become more original in your thinking and use your creativity to improve your life and the lives of your students. Using the process of Metaphorming, which involves making symbolic models both individually and collaboratively, you and your students will be able to express yourself and present ideas in new and effective ways. Metaphorming enables everyone to be more creative and innovative, to make connections and solve problems, and to improve communication by fostering understanding.