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OJAC to host teacher workshops

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Albany News

By Kathy Thomson

The first of four Region 14 teacher workshops hosted by the Old Jail Art Center this summer will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Friday, July 13. 

Project Archeology

Project Archeology: Investigating Shelter is a supplementary science and social studies curriculum unit for third through fifth grades and is easily adaptable for middle school Texas and U.S. history and science classes, according to OJAC education director Erin Whitmore. 

“It consists of nine comprehensive lessons focused on observation, inference, and evidence,” said Whitmore. “Lessons guide students through the archeological study of shelter including geography, historic photos, oral histories, a tool kit of scientific concepts, and a final performance of understanding. Students learn how archaeologists study the past and investigate a real archaeological site!”

The workshop will begin at the local art museum and end at historic Fort Davis for a hands-on investigation of the site and recovered artifacts. 

“This is a nearby Fort Davis,” explained education coordinator Molly Merck, “not the one way off by Alpine.”

Transportation to and from the fort and a catered lunch will be provided. 

Registrants should note that a portion of the workshop will take place outdoors, and should dress for Texas summer weather. 

The workshop is geared toward third through seventh grade history, social studies, and/or science instructors. Participants can earn 6.0 CPE credits.

Art of Reading

The Art of Reading teacher workshop is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Friday, July 20.

“This has been our most popular workshop for seven years in a row,” Whitmore said. “Come again and enjoy new materials and projects that blend language and visual art in fun ways for early learners!”

Lessons include strategies to develop or enhance visual, verbal, and listening skills and projects are designed to encourage meaningful connections and creativity, as well as fine motor-skill development, according to Whitmore.

“The workshop is interactive and fun,” the education director said. “All of the participants leave with curriculum enrichment packets and samples of each project.”

The projects are designed for children in kindergarten to third grades, to enhance curriculum taught by instructors of art, reading, and language arts, as well as general classroom teachers.

The workshop offers 6.0 CPE hours.

Hispanic Arts

¡Fiesta! Hispanic Arts and Culture invites teachers of secondary students to enrich curriculum through an investigation of Latin American art and artifacts, according to Whitmore. 

The teacher workshop is scheduled to take place at the Old Jail from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. on Friday, July 27.

“Traditions, celebrations, artists, history, and gods!” Whitmore said. “Discover fun and meaningful lessons that reinforce cultural connections. The workshop is hands-on, and fun; come again this year for an entirely new curriculum packet of projects!”

The Fiesta workshop is geared toward fifth through 10th grade instructors of Spanish, language arts, social studies, and/or visual arts classes. Participants can earn 6.0 CPE credits.

Abstract Art

The final workshop for Region 14 teachers hosted by the OJAC this summer will be held on Tuesday, July 31, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Anxiety-Free Abstract Art Projects presents fun and simple ways for instructors to introduce students to abstract art.

“Come enjoy a variety of materials and techniques presented through the lens of the OJAC collection,” said Whitmore. “Teachers will receive a tour of a current exhibit on abstraction and view pieces from the museum vault. When they leave the hands-on workshop, participants will have curriculum packets, digital images for classroom use, finished samples, and freebies.”

The workshop provides 6.0 hours of CPE credit, and is aimed at instructors of visual art, fine art, social studies, and world history students in grades six through 12.

Registration

Participants should contact the Region 14 Education Service Center PitStop Website for registration and credit information.

“Registration numbers are already looking very good,” said Merck. “But there is still room for those not yet signed up.”