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2009 Workshops

The workshops will explore themes and ideas found in The Wizard of Oz through a variety of art forms and experiences.  Each workshop will be offered during both breakout sessions.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow: Arts Integration at the High School Level
Paul Bourgelais, World Music Integration Teacher, Bow High School, Bow, NH; Richard Hedrick, Visual; Art Teacher, Bow High School, Bow, NH; Derek DeAngelis, Humanities Teacher, Bow High School, Bow, NH
An integrated arts curriculum allows students the opportunity to understand other cultures, shatter stereotypes and open their eyes to the cultures of the world around them.  Come see how a group of educators have successfully integrated the arts in their high school curriculum.  Topics include units on Africa, Japan, Latin America, Indonesia, the Middle East, and more.

If I Only Had a Brain
Dr. Lisa Spradley, assistant professor, Education Department, Plymouth State University
Explore a wide variety of science concepts found in themes from The Wizard of Oz and practice using the arts to bring science alive.  Teachers will leave with some concrete activities they can use in their classroom.

We’re Off to See the Wizard
Cindy Najem, second grade teacher, Ernest P. Barka Elementary School, Derry, NH; Carmen Winchester, fourth grade teacher, Lisbon Elementary School, Lisbon, NH
Investigate many different curriculum-based integrated arts lessons for use in your classroom created from themes found in The Wizard of Oz in this hands-on, arts workshop.  Learn how to make the best use of the teacher resource book you will receive at the Conference.

There’s No Place Like Home
Deb Gibbens, principal, Bow Elementary School, Bow, NH; Mervin Marvey, PSU international student from Rustenberg, South Africa; Kristen Gibbens, ninth grade student, Bow High School, Bow, NH
Explore the impact of international arts collaborations on learning about culture, diversity and ourselves in this exciting dialogue about the Kearsarge Arts Theatre production  Hope is Like a Feather that featured American and South African performers.

…And Your Little Dog, Too!
Bethany Nelson, M.Ed. Harvard Graduate School of Education, faculty member, Theatre Education, Department of Performing Arts, Emerson College, Drama Specialist
In this workshop participants will explore the use of drama to improve the social dynamics in K–8 classrooms.  We’ll use the arts to look at bullies and bystanders (after all, the Wicked Witch is nothing without her Flying Monkeys!) and help students develop skills for dealing with bullying issues.  When classroom bullies are “melted,” the students are free to learn!

If I Only Had a Heart
Shawn Powers, Education Director, Capitol Center for the Arts, Concord, NH
This workshop explores the central role emotion plays in learning, as a motivator that crosses all learning styles.  Finding the “heart” in curriculum helps students feel a sense of belonging in the classroom and aids in curriculum retention and assessment.  Put the heart back in teaching!