1. Welcome

2. Professional Development
Wolf Trap’s Approach
Professional Development
Arts Integration
Early Childhood

3. Why the Arts? Engaging Developmentally Appropriate Multi-sensory
Active
Creative
Collaborative
Research shows the arts are effective:
The performing arts provide cognitive benefits for children, and these benefits are positively correlated to overall academic performance (Bilhartz, Bruhn, & Olson, 1999; Bond & Stinson, 2000; Hetland, 2000;
Rauscher & Zupan, 2000; Rauscher et al., 1997).
Engaging in performing arts supports creative and critical thinking, as well as language and literacy skills, including reading comprehension, writing, and phonemic awareness (Anvari, Trainor, Woodside, & Levy, 2002; Aram & Mor, 2009; Podlozny, 2000; Williamson & Silvern, 1992)

4. EXAMPLE: Rhythms & Patterns = Pre-Algebraic Thinking
What is Arts Integration?
ARTS INTEGRATION
Other Curricular
Areas
Literacy, Math,
Social-Emotional, etc.
ARTS
Dance, Music
& Drama
what is arts integration.
EXAMPLE: Rhythms & Patterns = Pre-Algebraic Thinking
Pat-Pat-Clap
Pat-Pat-Clap
Pat-Pat-Clap

5. Teachers are the Key

6. Teaching Artists Main idea: Role of the Teaching Artist (JENNIFER)
At the heart of the Institute is the Teaching Artist. Wolf Trap Teaching artists are our ambassadors in the field--the individuals delivering the services:
Every Teaching Artist is a professional musician, dancer, actor, or puppeteer. These teachers are trained in Wolf Trap’s model to combine arts and education to effectively teach Kindergarten and pre-K students.
Additionally, the Teaching Artists show classroom teachers how to use these strategies and provide effective professional development. Teaching Artists adapt each residency to meet the curriculum objectives for students and professional development goals for teachers.

7. Arts Integration in Action!
Wolf Trap
Teaching Artist
Valerie Branch

8. National Footprint Michigan Minnesota Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire
Wolf Trap Institute States Served
States served by Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts from January 2012 through December Many states have received multiple services over the time period.
TOTAL: 32 states and the District of Columbia
*Sites of services sponsored by Northrop Grumman Foundation in 2012 and Some states received services in both grant years.
In (RED) are states served by the Wolf Trap Institute in Fall 2014.
Arizona
Arkansas
California*
Colorado*
Delaware
District of Columbia*
Florida*
Georgia*
Idaho
Illinois*
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana*
Maine
Maryland*
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota*
Ohio*
Oklahoma*
Pennsylvania
Tennessee
Texas*
Virginia*
Washington
West Virginia

9. Early STEM/Arts Research
Innovation in Early Education
Early STEM/Arts Research

10. Why STEM in Early Childhood?
Brain is particularly receptive to learning math and logic between the ages of 1 and 4
Every second=700 synapses
“We need to start early —even before kindergarten—to nurture children’s natural curiosity. It’s a first step in creating the skilled workforce that allows the U.S. to compete globally.” Rick Stephens, Senior Vice President, Boeing

11. Why the Arts & STEM?

12. Early STEM/Arts Research
Based on an effect size of .21
Early STEM/Arts
improves the average student’s math rank by
8 percentile points.

14. Q&A