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

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.