Nov23

NAEYC National Conference Workshop Presentor

Music City Center, NAEYC National Conference Presentation, Nashville, TN

Music City Center, Davidson Ballroom Salon B, 9:30 -10:45 a.m. (Room capacity 360)

Rachel Sumner, Children's Performer, Songwriter, Teaching Artist, Tennessee Performing Arts Center

Presentation Title: Win Their Attention: Performing Arts Techniques to Invigorate Your Classroom Teaching

In this workshop, teachers will learn how to use performing arts strategies to catch the attention of students and keep them engaged. Straightforward techniques from theater, music, and dance address multiple learning styles, infuse a sense of play into new topics and skills, and enhance student recall. Through demonstration and interactive experiences, the presenter will illustrate how these arts integration methods can be easily adapted into the fabric of a teacher’s daily practice. The group will explore a “performing arts toolbox” for early childhood educators that includes: comedy set-ups, simple and complex props, theatrical surprise, innovative music elements, and adult-friendly movement. Teachers will learn to add specific elements from the performing arts world to augment lesson planning in practical and customizable ways.