Introduction To Theater Blueprint professional development
The Office of the Arts and Special Projects provides citywide professional development in the implementation of the Blueprint for Teaching and Learning in the Arts. Professional development sessions are led by master teachers—outstanding public school arts teachers identified by the DOE—and teaching artists—professional artists from local cultural organizations. During these sessions, teachers explore the five Blueprint strands of arts education and learn strategies for lesson plan building and engaging children in the arts. Teachers participate in hands-on projects, allowing them to directly apply the lessons learned at training sessions to their classrooms. The Office of Arts and Special Projects also supplies teachers with toolkits containing materials and resources to implement these projects in the classroom.

Upcoming PD in Theater

In this three-day professional development series, teams of early elementary (PreK-3) teachers will explore how to implement Theater Arts teaching and learning in their individual classroom environment. Using units of study written by Master Elementary Drama teachers as their guide, participants will immerse themselves as Theater students and make connections with quality Theater Making and quality teaching and learning. Teacher teams will also identify how Theater can support the needs of their early elementary students -enhancing their current practice in their classroom and school settings. Participants will receive instructional materials for use in the classroom.

Teams must consist of two to five teachers from grades Pre-K to 3. Teams may include elementary level arts specialists. Please select staff members who will actively share what they have learned with their colleagues. The entire team is required to participate in all three workshop dates. Schools can register more than one team but the online registration must be submitted separately for each team. Space is limited to 60 participants.

Registration/Payment:
To enroll a team in a workshop series please complete the following steps by February 12, 2010

Please contact artsandspecialprojects@schools.nyc.gov with questions.

Collaborative Inquiry for Effective Arts Teaching: Asking Questions and Developing Approaches to Improve Student Achievement in Theater
Registration CLOSED.
Payment Due Immediately.

How reflective are you about your teaching practice? How often are you given the opportunity to partner with other theater specialists to examine specific issues that are grounded in your daily practice?

This rich series of three workshops will provide us with opportunities for "Collaborative Inquiry," to draw upon the collective expertise, resources, and experiences of our fellow theater colleagues. Modeling the collaborative process of theater, we will form small groups based on level and interest to determine lines of inquiry for new and/or existing lesson plans for teaching theater and improving student achievement.

Building on the assessment work we did last year, these small cohorts will explore strategies, assess current lesson plans, share what works, provide evidence of how we know it works, exchange constructive feedback and support one another. Ultimately, this process provides a "real world," practical impact as we apply our work directly in classrooms or on stages to improve outcomes for all our students.

Some examples of types of questions that might arise:
- How can I better meet the needs of my students in a particular area of theater study?
- How might I better reach those students that are not engaged?
- Why isn't a particular teaching technique working?
- How might I improve my lesson plans and delivery of them to ensure active student learning?
- What issues of flow or classroom management do I want to address and improve upon?

Designed to include an immersion in theater content and "doing," this first day will include an open reflection on teaching and learning in theater, enriching our small team investigations.