In this workshop the art forms of storytelling, dance, poetry, and music will help educators to bring the culture and language of students into the curriculum. By altering classroom artifacts, daily rituals, and frequently used stories to reflect the first language(s) and culture(s) of students, educators design classroom environments that more intentionally reflect and affirm the lived experiences of students and their caregivers.

Educators will learn to engage students through verbal and non-verbal ways of self-expression and communication. Multi-disciplinary arts experiences will be used to activate student learning, build community, and provide a multicultural environment. Learning Intentions:

Educators will:

• Learn Culturally Responsive Arts Education strategies for teaching social-emotional skills and empowering students.
• Learn to alter current curriculum to reflect the first language(s) and culture(s) of students.
• Consider storytelling, movement, and poetry as interdisciplinary opportunities for arts rich learning.
• Identify how the teaching and learning practice is a journey taken by educators and their students rather than a predetermined destination.

YA Connections:

NJSLS-VPA: Artistic Process; Creating; Anchor Standard 1: Conceptualizing & Generating Ideas NJSLS-VPA: Artistic Process; Responding Anchor Standard 7: Perceiving and Analyzing Products