Artists in Schools
Leap’s Artists in Schools program is a residency program that places artists in Kindergarten through 8th grade classrooms. Children are given the opportunity to explore visual arts, murals, dance, drama, theater techniques, music, storytelling, poetry, video production, photography and multi-media arts. The Leap experience helps students connect artistic and academic concepts.
Through Leap’s extended arts residencies, children:
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Develop and refine critical thinking, cognitive and creative
skills |
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Learn how to set goals, experiment, problem solve and learn from their
mistakes |
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Gain increased self- awareness and self-esteem |
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Acknowledge diversity and differing viewpoints |
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Develop fine motor skills and increase coordination |
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Discover ways of expressing their own ideas and feelings |
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Learn to collaborate and work cooperatively |
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Increase motivation and deepen understanding in other academic areas such
as math, science,
language and social studies |
Types of Residencies Offered in the Artists in Schools Program
Dance and Creative Movement:
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The amazing world of dance is brought to life
with our talented artists, focusing on creative movement, cultural dances,
interpretive dances or hip-hop street styles.
A sample dance residency might involve learning about the historical
and geographical background of dances from different cultures around
the world. As students develop a dance vocabulary and the physical memory
of being a part of a dance company, they work collaboratively to choreograph
a final dance that is performed at a culminating event.
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Literacy and Creative Writing through the Arts:
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Research has proven the effectiveness of
using the arts as a tool to promote literacy and enhance language skills.
This residency program will allow students to develop and advance skills
in reading comprehension, oral presentation, listening and expression.
A sample residency integrating creative writing with theater might
begin by introducing the students to improvisational games. As students
build confidence in performing, they would draw upon personal experience
as inspiration for playwriting and acting, learning how to use the written
word to better express their emotions and thoughts. The culmination
of
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the program would include the dramatic presentation of plays created
by the student, a unique opportunity to perform their written words
in front of a live audience.
A sample residency integrating creative writing
with the visual arts might involve each student creating an original book
that expresses their personal adaptation of a classic fairy tale. Students
could explore papermaking and bookbinding techniques while creating written
and illustrated portraits of favorite characters and scenes.
Music:
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Through the Leap music program, students
may experience the sounds of different world cultures such as Caribbean
Island music, African folk songs or Spanish style rhythms. They might
learn to make their own instruments or work in groups to create songs
about what they are studying in the classroom.
A sample music residency might engage the students in vocal exercises,
music terminology, basic pitch/tone recognition and honing listening
skills. With a focus on learning songs in the many different languages
represented in the school, students could partner up with classmates
who know the language to help learn the words correctly. A final culminating
event would involve the students singing songs in different languages,
fostering a new understanding for different cultures in the audience.
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Performing Arts/Theatre/Storytelling:
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Through storytelling, improvisation, creative
drama, movement exercises, and games, children explore the world of
theatre. They may create their own version of a classic fairy tale,
learn techniques of writing, directing and acting, or work as a group
to develop and direct their own plays.
A sample theatre residency might involve the students in learning about
Aesop’s fables, which are over 2,600 years old, but still relevant
today. Students study a fable, make paper mache masks then retell the
story as part of a Greek chorus while wearing the masks they have created.
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Visual Arts:
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Students embark on a journey into the world
of visual arts as our diversely trained artists encourage them to discover
their individual creativity through murals, printmaking, ceramics, bookmaking,
sculpture, painting, mixed media, photography, mosaics and much, much
more.
A sample visual arts based residency in painting might engage the
students in creating a modern painting in the style of Spanish artist
Joan Miro. Students would explore how horizontal, vertical and curved
lines could be combined with basic geometric and natural shapes to
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| create an original painting. At the end of
the residency, students will self critique their work and present their
paintings to the class. A sample visual arts based residency in murals
might involve learning about different animal habitats, each with distinct
feature. Working collaboratively, students would transform an outdoor
wall into a vibrant animal habitat, complete with animals and foliage.
The finished mural will evoke a sense of empowerment and pride in the
students and function as a wonderful reminder of the community formed
in the classroom while working on the project. |
Programs for Students with Special Needs:
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The arts are a powerful tool for enhancing
the lives of students with special needs. Using the arts to create a
multi-sensory experience and atmosphere, Leap artists are able to captivate
and involve students with a wide range of abilities and needs.
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To see Leap’s roster of resident artists who work with students in all
these disciplines, please click
here .
If you would like any more information on Leap’s Artists in Schools program, please contact us.
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