Fox Cities P.A.C. & AASD to Offer Educator Workshops During 2014-15 School Year

The 2014-15 school year marks the third year the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center and Appleton Area School District (AASD) are participating in the Partners in Education program of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. This partnership allows the Center and AASD to create professional development opportunities to help teachers use the arts as a catalyst for creative energy in every curricular area. The Classroom Connections Teacher Workshops are open to all Wisconsin educators on a first-come, first serve basis.

Classroom Connections Teacher Workshops prepare educators to integrate the arts into their classroom, resulting in more effective and engaging lessons. Even for educators who have never been trained in the arts, these hands-on workshops are presented in a way that makes educators confident and comfortable to use the arts to teach core curriculum.

This year's roster of professional teaching artists will encourage educators to get creative. Topics include literature, music, math, movement and how it all works together to provide students with an outstanding educational experience.

2014-15 Classroom Connections Teacher Workshops

Arts Integration: The Kennedy Center Approach
Workshop Leader: Stuart Stotts
Suggested for Administrators, Arts Specialists, Teaching Artists and Teachers of All Grade Levels
Tuesday, Sep. 23 from 4 to 7 p.m.
Fee: $30 or $25/AASD Staff

Classroom Connections workshops are based on the Kennedy Center's philosophy and practice of teaching called arts integration. If you have participated in previous workshops or are interested in learning more, this workshop will develop your knowledge and broaden your understanding of arts integration. Brought back by popular demand, workshop leader Stuart Stotts will uncover the characteristics of quality integration, examine how arts-integrated instruction aligns with current learning principles and provide hands on examples of art-integrated teaching.

Physical Problem Solving: Math Dance
Workshop Leaders: Erik Stern and Karl Schaffer
Suggested for Educators of Grades 3-8
Thursday, Nov. 13 from 4 to 7 p.m.
Fee: $30 or $25/AASD Staff

Patterns. Combinations. Symmetry. Dance! Teaching mathematical concepts through movement will not only bring your classroom to life, but get your students up and moving. Creative movement gets students out of their seats, helps them physically engage in lessons and opens their minds to new concepts. Even if math is not your core subject, this workshop will help you learn ways to guide students' work, notate movement phrases and integrate arts into your classroom.

Singing the Words: Lyric Writing in the Classroom
Workshop Leader: Stuart Stotts
Suggested for Educators of Grades 2-6
Thursday, Feb. 12 and Feb. 26, 2015 from 4 to 7 p.m. (2 session workshop)
Fee: $40 or $35/AASD Staff

Music is a central part of most students' lives; they listen, they sing, they dance. Teachers can tap into this natural affinity to motivate and engage students in the classroom through singing. Participants will explore three different song structures and patterns that students can use to write, rehearse and perform original song lyrics. No musical training is necessary to participate fully in this workshop, only an interest in the role that music can have in your classroom.

Educators may learn more about Classroom Connections and register for workshops online at foxcitiespac.com/educators. AASD educators will be able to count the workshops as continuing education and receive district points. For more information about the Partners in Education program, visit kennedy-center.org/education/partners.