Modules

The Arts-Based Collaborative is proud to launch a series of modules that help educators, artists, and administrators understand and develop concept-based arts integration units of study. Modules highlight arts-based strategies and model arts integration units of study shared during our annual Arts & Education Forum Series. All strategies and units are field-tested in K-12 classrooms and many of the modules below feature examples contextualized with students. These are fantastic resources to view on your own or to explore in small groups during professional development workshops.          

The Creative Process

Duration: 20 minutes

One way to explore ideas for arts integrated units of studies is to engage through the creative process. In this module, participants are guided through creative processes that are important to all artistic disciplines. Strategies that can be embedded in concept-based arts integrated units of study are explored. This work features teaching artists from Contemporary Performing Arts of Chattanooga's (CoPAC) Full Circle TAP (Teaching Artist Program). 

Off the Digital Canvas

Duration: 20 minutes

Character development often begins with students reading and analyzing a script, but students sometimes require additional instructional support to fully utilize and activate their expressive qualities. In this module, participants are guided through a still image exercise where physical character choices (e.g. facial expression, gesture, pose, and posture) are practiced in isolation. This exercise helps students maximize the potential of their physical choices when developing a character based on a given situation or context.

Exploring Culture Through Ink Drawings

Duration: 20 Minutes

This module focuses on understanding ancient Chinese history through a series of ink drawing exercises. Participants explore how to articulate ancient Chinese sayings through ink drawing techniques. This visual art strategy can be embedded in a larger arts-integrated unit of study focusing on the concept of culture.

A New Kind of Neat Street

Duration: 20 minutes

What makes a community change?

This second grade arts integrated unit of study in drama, language arts, and social studies challenges students to consider how rules develop and evolve as new communities emerge. In this module, participants step in role as community members attending a public forum about building a new school that best serves their needs while honoring their dreams.

Make Yourself a Home

Duration: 20 minutes

In this upper elementary unit, students explore the ways animals have adapted to survive in a wide range of environments. They develop adaptations for an imaginary animal in a new environment and employ the skills of a scientific illustrator to explain what they have developed.