Teach Literacy through the Arts in DC, MD, and VA

WE HAVE REACHED 95% OF THIS PROJECTS GOAL!!!

Thank you for your continued support

One of our partnering artist, Carrie Sue Ayvar, had a wonderful experience with another partnering group we love, The Learning Alliance. Here is her story of their time:

 “My hands say thank you with a clap, clap, clap. My feet say thank you with a tap, tap, tap.” It was an amazing, filled with magical, light-bulb-going-on moments, week in Vero Beach. We started off the week with a 3 hour workshop for Early Childhood Teachers, Once Upon A Story:

Early Childhood Language and Literacy Learning. Following the theory of an old Chinese Proverb, “Tell me & I forget. Show me & I remember. Involve me & I understand” seventy teachers rhymed and moved, played and learned and even told a story in three languages! How wonderful that so many of them let me know how they would use the strategies and skills we practiced. As one teacher wrote, “Multi-sensory literacy strategies learned was awesome. I will love using all the information given today. ”

Then came an Embedded Coaching and Residency with three brilliant teachers at the Child Care Resources of Indian River Center. Using child directed creative and dramatic play, we went on Imaginary Journeys, learned new rhymes, songs and stories, and used steady beat to enhance language acquisition. We not only boosted verbal communication, used our problem solving skills, practiced turn taking and cooperation but we had a huge amount of fun. How gratifying to hear how these amazing, gifted teachers are using the new strategies!

Here are a few quotes from teachers at these sessions:

“I’ve learned new strategies and techniques for building language and learning through play.” 

“I’ve learned so much this past week, adding signing and gestures, graphing, tally marks, props and more.”

“We were amazed at how receptive the children were to Carrie Sue’s introduction of the Spanish language. We plan to work on incorporating more multi-lingual activities.” How incredible to watch these two, three and four year olds absorb these ideas and use them throughout the day. They were retelling the stories, singing the songs on the playground, repeating rhymes at home to their parents.

On Parent’s Night the families came to play! All were eager to learn ways to support their children’s learning. They not only jumped right in but were excited to take these ideas home.

Parents walked away saying:           

“This was great. I will be using more Nursery Rhymes – everywhere!”

“Oh, you have inspired me to read and tell stories more. Thank you.”

This is exactly why I love being a Teaching Artist. A wonderful week and no doubt that the fun – and learning! – will be continuing. My hands, my feet, my heart all say thank you!

Thank you so much for your support, please continue to advocate for us by sending this report to friends and family that would love to be part of this project too.