Workshop Detail - Summer Institute

(4-12): Artifacts In Your Classroom: Using Exhibits to Increase Experiential Learning
presented by Sharon Ciccarelli, MA, CCC/SLP (Austin I.S.D.), Stephen Ray, BA (Austin I.S.D.)
Curriculum Developed by ACCESS to Learning, Inc., Austin I.S.D.

From a single object to a trip to a museum, artifacts have great power to excite and engage learners. But how to use them effectively? In this session the presenters will share ideas on using collections, from simple classroom groupings to formal exhibits, to enhance the curriculum and foster higher level thinking skills.

Teaching with objects can take a variety of forms depending on resources, but all can be used effectively. During this session, we will explore three types of “exhibits:” classroom collections, traveling/borrowed exhibits and museum visits. Topics to be covered include:

Classroom Collections
Selection, organization and presentation of artifacts
Ways for students to explore the collection
Ways to connect back to curriculum and assess learning
Traveling/Borrowed Exhibits
Sources
How to prepare for and utilize the exhibit
Ways to connect back to curriculum and assess learning
Museum Visits
Arranging and preparing for the trip
What to do at the site
Ways to connect back to the curriculum and assess learning

During the session, participants will have practice opportunities as they work with both a classroom collection and a traveling exhibit and go on an afternoon study trip to a local museum. Materials will be provided for classroom use.

Sharon has been a Speech/Language Pathologist with the Austin Independent School District since 1991. She holds a BA in Humanities (English, Linguistics and Speech) and an MA in Communication Sciences and Disorders, both from the University of Texas at Austin . In addition to maintaining professional certification, Sharon has furthered her love of museums and hands-on learning by participating in numerous programs, including the Smithsonian National Faculty. As an ACCESS To Learning, Inc. Outreach Co-chair for the past three years, her duties have included planning and facilitating the traveling exhibit program and the annual three-day summer institute. Sharon has also sponsored and obtained funding for Winn's Museum Club.

Stephen Ray is currently an American History teacher at Mendez Middle School. He was selected and filmed by the University of Pittsburg Institute of Learning as a model classroom teacher, demonstrating how to use Clear Expectations and Accountable Talk and how to utilize group work as an effective teaching strategy. Steve has sponsored the Mendez Museum Club, providing opportunities for students to visit cultural and educational sites locally as well as in Chicago and Washington, DC . In addition, Steve has been selected to participate in numerous programs, including the Smithsonian National Faculty and the Civil War Institute at Gettysburg.

Workshop Detail: Tuesday, July 21, 2009