Conference Workshops

Join us in our exploration of assessment and proficiency using the Studio Habits of Mind (SHoM). This workshop will present a practical look at how we came to understand and use the constructs of Studio Thinking in our classrooms to promote independent, self-directed learning. We believe that the 8 dispositions can enable students to gain a successful educational experience. You will gain hands-on knowledge of these habits and leave with strategies to use your own classroom.
Grades PK-12 All Educators

Arts Integration Connections - Architectural Letters combine personal and historical narratives. (Art and Social Studies) Narrative collages help students make connections from the past to the present as they explore literacy, creative problem solving, collaboration, technology, critical thinking and self-expression. Apply 21st Century learning skills in this hands-on art-making workshop. Practice setting criteria for assessment and examine holistic and analytic rubrics.
Grades PK-12 All Educators

Join us to take a look at exemplars from both band and choral ensembles at all levels of schooling. We will discuss what critical skills are being demonstrated (or not being demonstrated!) and how students can be evaluated for individual proficiency. Workshop participants will come away with concrete indicators they can bring back to their own ensembles in their schools. We will also discuss how we can differentiate for students who have trouble meeting those indicators and also more accelerated students who need to be challenged at a higher level. Our discussion will take place both as a large group and as smaller round table discussions at the elementary, middle and high school levels.
Grades PK-12 Music

This experiential workshop will guide arts teachers and teaching artists through a series of powerful yet simple creative movement and dance making explorations that are standards-based, and well suited to integrate with any content area. You will learn basic movement tools and a dance making activity that you can implement – no dance background needed - to help your students explore classroom content and engage in creative problem solving together. Teachers of all arts disciplines are welcome.
Grades PK-12 All Educators

In 2012 An Act to Ensure Effective Teachers and School Leaders was signed into law in Maine. School districts across the state are working towards implementation of evaluative methods for teachers. Writing rigorous assessments that measure student growth is a critical component of this work. Unpacking the law will help participants understand the potential impact on visual and performing arts teachers. Discussing and developing high quality assessments will help guide future work in your classroom.
Grades PK-12 All Educators

Arts Integration has the potential for us to grow alongside our students. Using the creative arts in our teaching allows us to deepen our relationships, strengthen our actions, and continue our questions. During the workshop participants will explore, share, and question elements of an arts integrated approach. The workshop will provide a variety of arts experiences, allowing us to apply our personal understanding to our teaching practice. Be prepared to journal, share findings and questions, and participate in storytelling, drama, and movement activities. (Please know, there
is always the right to pass and observe.)
Grades PK-12 All Educators

What implications can research on brain development have on arts education? What is the role of the arts in learning? How are common myths about the brain hampering teaching? Come learn about some of the latest research on neuroscience and brain development and learn how you can build a compelling case to enhance arts programming in your school. A wealth of resources will be shared.
PK-12 All Educators

When technology is purposefully and meaningfully integrated into a lesson, it can lead to deeper understanding while offering new outlets of creativity. From 3D printing, to remix, mashup and improv, we are sure to have something of interest to you. Need tech tips for management and organization of materials? We can do that too.
Grades PK-12 All Educators

This session will present strategies for continued implementation of PBL in your own classroom, and highlight the powerful corollary advocacy points that go along with each. If our advocacy efforts have been so useful for the past 20 years, why are we still so much in need of more? Come find out how our most recent PBL work has the potential to finally push arts education to the forefront of our school's academic agenda while providing the richest, most relevant curriculum possible for our students.
PK-12 All Educators