TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Many professional development programs are based on a philosophy and practice of teaching called arts integration. So what is arts integration? This session unpacks the definition the Kennedy Center developed and gives you the opportunity to uncover the characteristics of quality integration.

“Follow The Drinking Gourd” is one of the many secret code songs used by runaways from slavery and their allies during the time of Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad. In this participatory workshop, learn to decode and sing this song and other traditional songs of the Freedom Train.

Using the portrait as inspiration, you will be challenged to make inferences from the visual clues in the portrait or the portraits of others in the class to come up with character traits, setting and dialogue for writing a story.

In this workshop, teachers examine ways to help students learn about the rich diversity of cultures through activities based on authentic children’s songs, rhythms, stories, and artifacts. Students learn about the lifestyles and values of children in these faraway countries and come to appreciate the similarities and differences between these cultures and their own.