Interchange

What Is Arts Integration?
Not all children learn in the same way. The arts can bring the curriculum to life, engage students and encourage learning. Through Interchange, community partners are helping classroom teachers in the St. Louis Public Schools do what they do best by providing additional support through arts-infused learning. Arts integration incorporates the arts throughout the learning process by infusing some form of art, such as theater, music, dance, drawing, poetry, or other expression of creativity, into the core curriculum. It is experiential in nature and encourages learning by "doing." Using arts and cultural resources to expand the ways teachers teach and students learn has been proved to achieve measurable results. Arts integration also helps develop the whole child, ensuring a well-rounded education. Integrating arts and cultural programs throughout the learning process is an addition to — not a substitution for — fine arts classes. Interchange strongly supports classes devoted exclusively to instruction in art and music, in addition to having a full range of the arts as part of the learning experience in all subject areas. Teaching content through the arts Teaching skills (such as problem-solving) through the arts Teaching the arts and core subjects through an interdisciplinary approach				Missouri Rocks Students learn about the geology and geography of Missouri by studying and conducting experiments on native rock specimens. Students record their observations in narrative or visual form. These journals are then used to create three-dimensional models of different rock types for display in a class collection. You can learn more about the Green Center at www.thegreencenter.org Life in the Village What was day-to-day life like for the men, women, and children who lived in the village of St. Louis? Students will step back in time into the shoes of St. Louisans as they experience the sights and sounds of a French colonial village. "No Land's Man: A Chapter in the Lives of Dred and Harriet Scott" by Bill Harris In this new play, the setting is the Old Courthouse in St. Louis, Mo., 1857. Dred and Harriet Scott are awaiting the final ruling on their case, in the hope of being declared free citizens in Missouri, not slaves. There is light humor and heartfelt support between the Scotts and Betty, a free woman of color who helps narrate the story. March 6, 2007, marks the 150th anniversary of the Dred Scott Decision, a significant and historical day of judgment in human rights in Missouri. Ecology in a Jar Explore ecological principles in a small-scale world through creation of an ecosystem that you can take home with you. Learn about living things and their interaction with the environment. Focus on plant life, animal adaptations, or both. African Dance and Culture The primary goal of this residency is to introduce students to the basic movement vocabulary of West African dance and choreography. Through this, students will gain physical fitness, learn the cultural contexts of several dances, learn basic African geography, and develop an appreciation for African culture and linguistic diversity. In addition, they are introduced to simple phrases in Bamarakan, the language of the Ivory Coast village where the instructor was born. Secret Map Quilts Using the book Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt by Deborah Hopkinson, quilter Ruth Hanson and your students navigate the Underground Railroad and discover how quilts were used to help the slaves seek their freedom in the North. Students combine the quilt code with their own imaginations to design a map. It can be a familiar route, such as the way to school or a trip to visit grandparents. Using fused fabric and cloth markers, they create a 12-inch x 18-inch miniquilt of their map. After the residency, students can practice writing informally by decoding one another's maps. More information about Young Audience of St. Louis can be found at www.yastl.org. Musical Theatre: America on Stage Musical theatre is a truly American art form, and throughout its history new musical productions have often directly reflected the issues of American life in that era. This fun and interactive residency taught by professional artists from STAGES will trace this link between the history of musical theatre and American culture. Students will learn experientially as they work with musical theatre artists not only to learn about the representative musicals and their historical link, but also to re-create history as they role-play scenes and snapshots of American life by performing material from these musicals. Topics include: American Revolution Civil War Wartime America in the 20th Century Contemporary America Students work with musical theatre artists not only to learn about representative musicals and their historical link, but also to re-create history as they role-play scenes and snapshots of American life by performing material from these musicals. Areas to be covered could include the American Revolution, the Civil War, wartime America in the 20th Century, contemporary America, and more. Critter Investigations In this inquiry-based class, students use either earthworms or isopods (age-depending) to investigate habitat preferences. Following careful observations and recordings, teams conduct hands-on experiments to determine what environment best suits their critters. An optional extension includes a field excursion in which students collect schoolyard critters for study. Circus in the Classroom All teachers know the best way to educate is to entertain. Bring the circus into your classroom and you can accomplish just that! In this class, Circus Day Foundation will use the circus to teach English, history, math, and science! Adaptable to different grade levels, this course includes hands-on circus learning experiences to augment the concepts taught. Where did the word "jumbo" come from? Do you know when the first elephant came to America? How much should the circus charge for cotton candy? What science concepts apply to juggling? Answers to these and other questions are available in this creative course. First class connects circus to English and history. Second class connects circus to math and science. This Side Up! Henry "Box" Brown and Other Stories of the Underground Railroad In this theatrical reenactment, Bobby breathes life into this amazing story of a slave turned hero, along with other tales of ordinary people taking extraordinary risks in the name of freedom. Henry "Box" Brown was born a slave in Virginia in 1816. After his wife and children were sold to a plantation in South Carolina, he had himself sealed in a small wooden box and shipped to friends and freedom. His narrative was published in 1849 to raise funds so that Brown could purchase freedom for his wife and children. He later traveled the Northern states speaking against slavery, but eventually was forced to flee to Great Britain because of the Fugitive Slave Law. A Thousand Cranes In 1950s Japan, 12-year-old Sadako enters a race to be the fastest girl in Hiroshima but instead finds herself in a race for her life. Diagnosed with radiation sickness years after the atomic bomb, she takes an old legend to heart — if a sick person folds a thousand paper cranes, the gods will grant her wish and make her well again. Sadako's courageous journey leads us through both joy and sadness as we share in her story of a triumphant spirit and a hope for peace. Stories Come Alive! Exploring Literature Through Drama Our most popular residency helps teachers reinforce Communication Arts Grade Level Expectations in a lively and engaging experience for students. Reading comprehension and writing skills are reinforced as students step into and perform the literature they read in class. Teachers choose from a menu of story choices or may customize the literature choices to suit classroom needs. The Three Little Pigs — Touring Show Piwacket Theatre for Children brings the magic of live theatre to you with this original adaptation of The Three Little Pigs. In this fun-filled romp a young child learns about COOPERATION from Alfred B. Wolf. An engaging and funny fairytale, the Three Little Pigs learn to cooperate in order to outsmart the Big Bad Wolf just in the nick of time! My Mini Memories Many people/students have difficulty finding something to write about and view writing as boring. Too often their hopes and fears, goals, and dreams, and a true sense of self are unexplored. The purpose of this class is to show students how writing can be fun, using basic art, scrapbook, and journal techniques. Each student will make a journal. "Wearable and Livable Arts" (Many Faces of Russian Folk Art) Session No.1 — Secrets of Old Clothes — What is the meaning behind the ways Russian people traditionally dressed (costumes)? What is the significance of the patterns and embroidery on the clothes? How can a belt, an apron, and a headdress tell as much about its owner as a modern passport does today? Hands-on activities include trying on clothes, belt-making, embroidery, and weaving. Session No.2 — Russian House and its Soul — Why would you say that house is "another set of clothes"? How does the traditional Russian house reflect the human body? What is the meaning behind the traditional ways people set up and decorated their houses? Can you build a wooden house, izba, without using metal nails and without a saw, like Russians did a long time ago? opportunities to construct models of houses built without nails. Urban Ryhthms Experience some of the cultural and artistic wealth of West Afrika through Urban Rhythms. In Session No.1 students receive an overview of Afrika: its geography, ethnic groups, adornment traditions, belief systems, lifestyles, and recent and ancient history. Session No.2 focuses on West Afrikan percussion. Students learn about the djembe orchestra and the rudiments of a traditional rhythm through handclapping and using small percussion instruments. They also learn a song. In the third session students experience traditional Nigerian cooking. They will learn about the economics and shopping behaviors found in the traditional Nigerian marketplace, the home environment, food preparation, names of dishes, and nutrition. Students will also get the opportunity to taste two Nigerian food dishes! Art-i-Facts: Civilization and the Craftsman How have craftsmen made significant contributions to their communities? Students will learn about craft techniques used by people throughout history and then visit the studios of Craft Alliance to see how contemporary artists use the same techniques today. Hands-on experience and gallery tour included. Clay and the Craftsman Using objects, slides, and clay, students will be introduced to the clay artists of various cultures and the objects used for utilitarian and ceremonial purposes. Each student will create a small clay piece in your classroom and then visit Craft Alliance to complete their vessel using a special firing technique used by contemporary artists. The studio visit includes demonstrations on the potter's wheel and a gallery tour. Suggested Topics: Native American coil and pinch pots World Cultures - Latin American clay vessels; Chinese vases and figures; Ancient Egyptian figures; Greek and Roman amphorae and urns Metal and the Craftsman Using objects, slides and art metal foil, students will be introduced to the history of jewelry and metalsmithing and will create a piece in your classroom. Students will visit Craft Alliances' studios and gallery to see a metal artist at work and learn about contemporary craft art. Suggested Topics: Native American - the Navaho silversmith Early American - Paul Revere, silversmith World Cultures - African gold weights and bronze casting; Chinese bronze urns; Aztec and Mayan hammered gold; European armor Textiles and the Craftsman Using objects, slides and fiber, students will be introduced to the history of textiles in various cultures and begin a piece of fiber art in your classroom. On day two, students will visit Craft Alliance to watch a contemporary fiber artist at work, complete their project in the studios and learn about textiles in the exhibition. Suggested Topics: Native American basketry Early American quilts and weavings World Cultures - African kente and andinkra cloth; Japanese shibori with indigo dye Dance Brazil Young People's Performance Live dance performance on Friday, Feb. 23, at 11 a.m. with full sets and costumes, and an opportunity to interact with dancers, Q&A, and narration relating to Brazilian history and culture. Capoeira, the dance/martial art developed by 16th-century enslaved Africans to deceive their captors, will be demonstrated. Art Exploration: A Writing Adventure Through a docent-led tour of contemporary sculpture at Laumeier Sculpture Park, students will expand their visual awareness and creative writing skills by using a journal to record descriptive details about each sculpture and its location. Following the guided tour, students will select one of the sculptures seen on the tour and write a descriptive narrative from the point of view of the sculpture. The writing exercise takes place on Laumeier’s grounds. Art journals and pencils will be provided. THE MIKADO Among the greatest operettas ever written, Opera Theatre’s Kabuki-inspired production of THE MIKADO features an elegant, melodic score and a laugh-out-loud plot. Don’t miss this student matinee performance on Friday, May 25, 2007, at 11 a.m. Artist's History and Studio Class Degas, Gauguin, Dali, Kahlo, Ringgold, and Van Gogh are just some of the artists we will be learning about during this session. Get ready to explore, experiment, and create using techniques invented and mastered by artists of the past. We will be working with everything from encaustic wax to traditional paint and clay. This is a class for the education-minded as well as those who love to have fun and get messy with art materials. Playwriting Students learn playwriting and character-development techniques in their eighth grade literature/writing class, and STAGES artists perform the student plays in workshop productions. You can learn more about STAGES St. Louis at www.stagesstlouis.org Mural Arts Program A ceramic mural project for high school kids, based on themes developed in an integrated classroom setting and permanently installed in a school. For more information about Craft Alliance call (314) 997-6777 or visit www.craftalliance.org. ArtsReach Through an exploration of process and media, students learn about the choices artists make and how they use art as a vehicle for communication. In addition to reinforcing the art curriculum, the program has been used by teachers as a platform for discussing current events and inspiring creative writing. You can learn more about The Contemporary Art Museum at www.contemporarystl.org Science Moves Force and motion, simple machines, weather, digestion, energy, and even photosynthesis are brought to life when students experience these phenomena through drama and movement. For more information visit: www.metrotheatercompany.org. or call (314) 997-6777