Classroom Arts Integration

PGT Professional Development courses provide guidance to administrators and classroom teachers on integrating theatre arts into the curriculum of each grade level, including activities, rubrics, and sample lesson plans.

Whether we focus on academic grades and test scores or overall child development, it is clear that arts education transforms classroom learning. When the arts are part of the fabric of a school, through the regular classroom curriculum as well as extension activities from in-school residencies, learning is enhanced in all subjects and the school's social environment is strengthened.

An organic and holistic approach to arts education allows children to develop learning and thinking skills which translate into all subject areas, as well as the social/emotional arena. Here's why:

• - Arts Education engages a wide variety of learning styles, helping schools reach more children.
• - When we are able to reach more children, they are more likely to view themselves, and more of their peers, as successful in the school environment.
• - The arts foster higher order thinking skills, including analysis, judgment, reflection and decision making skills, all of which are useful in every subject.
• - The arts create enthusiasm for learning
• - The arts teach creativity and provide a forum for understanding and celebrating different points of view

Through presentation, discussion and hands-on activity, the PGT Professional Development course provides teachers with the information and learning strategies necessary to foster development in the following skill areas:

• - Collaboration and effective communication
• - Developing and expressing point of view
• - Text analysis
• - Responding to literature
• - Character development
• - Exploring a variety of perspectives and gaining empathy for a variety of people
• - Adapting voice and using language in a variety of ways
• - Expressing and understanding personal, social and cultural connections
• - Making connections between text, self and the world

To discuss professional development opportunities for your school, please contact Jill Abusch, Artistic Director at jill@playgroup.org or call (914) 946-4433.

To discuss professional development opportunities for your school, please contact Jill Abusch, Artistic Director at jill@playgroup.org or call (914) 946-4433.