June 5, 2020
as told by our favorite Art Coach, Bruce Hucko The Performance This really needs to be experienced in person. We have a video and it’s wonderful, but it’s just not the same as having been there in Ms. Sheila’s music room, which had been converted, quite simply, easily and indeed, magically, into a hybrid theatrical performance space and African ceremonial plaza laying deep in the jungle. The background was hung. Stage sides were set. Drums, Xylophones and other instruments were placed. Characters held their dance masks. Introductions were made. Everyone took their place. Actors, parents, and audience held their breath. […]
May 29, 2020
as told by our favorite Art Coach, Bruce Hucko Africa, The Book is a celebration of an artistic collaboration that took place at Helen M. Knight Elementary School in Moab, Utah during the 2019-2020 School Year. It centers on the creative energy of Mrs. Charlotte Quigley’s 3rd Grade class. It involves the school’s inspired music teacher Sheila Strahan and BTSALP-Visual Art Specialist Art Coach Bruce Hucko. The Adventure began when – Mrs. Quigley’s 3rd Grade class was reading folk tales as part of their social studies curriculum. Good teacher that she is, Mrs. Quigley saw the opportunity for creativity and […]
March 16, 2020
Education is much more than just academic achievement. The classroom needs to be a place where students can learn about themselves as well as the world around them. Integrating the arts into the core curriculum is a proven strategy for helping to address all the needs of students. In elementary schools, arts-integrated learning has been shown to improve students’ social, emotional, core academic, and arts learning. Art Works for Kids is happy to announce the new and improved Lesson Plan Tool is up and running! Lesson plans for all grade levels, art forms and subject matter are available for your […]
March 1, 2020
Sunshine 2.0 is a professional traveling theater troupe based at Rochester Institute of Technology’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) in Rochester, New York. The troupe provides performances and activities for deaf and hard-of-hearing children and adults that highlight the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEaM), as well as educational topics pertaining to the Deaf experience. The theater troupe travels to schools, and programs serving deaf and hard-of-hearing students, colleges, museums, conferences, civic groups, festivals and other venues. Performances are presented in voice and in American Sign Language, are accessible to all audience members and cover […]
February 13, 2020
An Appreciation Luncheon for Utah State Legislators was held at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building on Friday, January 31, 2020. It was a fabulous affair filled with Art, Dance and support for the BTSALP program. Art for Centerpieces and Program – Liberty Hills Elementary, Alpine District, Jen Terry “We Will Rock You!” presented by Herriman Elementary School, Jordan School District 4th Grade (Ms. Mumford,) Jana Shumway BTSALP Dance Specialist Gumball Machines: Study of Color Mixing – James Moss Elementary, Granite School District, Kirsten Schiel Sandhill Cranes in Utah Wetlands: Environmental Studies – Riley Elementary, Salt Lake City School District, Regina […]
December 16, 2019
First graders at Monte Vista Elementary School in Jordan School District, under the direction of BTSALP Music Specialist, Amanda Maloy, presented a musical and visual extravaganza for parents and students!!!! All the students in the five first grade classrooms participated in the performance. Amanda wrote the script and directed the first graders in a rollicking good show! See for yourself!
December 13, 2019
Courtni Giles, BTSALP Dance Specialist extraordinaire in Washington School District serves 8 Special Education classrooms in 8 – you heard that right – in 8 different schools! Courtni exposes the students to dance and movement as well as adaptive Physical Education activities. Courtni wants ALL students up and moving and creates positive, imaginative and magical experiences where ALL students can feel successful! She believes in helping her students create healthy and FUN lifestyles! Courtni starts each class period with a song and a “Sports” activity. She uses props such as frisbees, beach balls, volley balls and giant balloons. Every seven […]
December 9, 2019
Robert Smith, BTSALP Art Coach in Alpine School District, led Ms. Decker’s 5th grade class through an integrated lesson using the book, The Mountain Dance by Thomas Locker. He started by having students close their eyes and listen to a Beethoven selection that complemented the wonderful illustrations in the book. Students listed words that described the music such as happy, intense, adventurous, calming and relaxing. He then read the book to the students, pausing at certain passages for the students to visualize the words being read. The class then discussed the vivid verbs and interesting adverbs they found in the […]
December 2, 2019
Axis Dance Company: Changing the face of dance & disability. We accomplish our mission through three pillars of activity: artistry, engagement, advocacy The heart of AXIS is the commissioning, creation, and performance of contemporary dance that is developed through the collaboration of dancers with and without physical disabilities. Our artistic vision to collaborate with high profile choreographers and cutting edge innovative dance makers of our time was an excellent strategy that has resulted in artistically stunning and significant dance works. More than any other company in the United States, AXIS has been at the forefront of the field, building a […]
April 11, 2019
Jordan Valley School is a center-based school located in Midvale, Utah, in the Canyons School District. The students come from throughout the entire school district and take the school bus to and from school each day. All of the students have severe multiple disabilities including, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, seizure disorders, communication impairments, genetic disorders and syndromes, deaf-blindness and students who are extremely medically fragile. The goal of every staff member at Jordan Valley School is to improve the quality of life for our kids and their parents. Students put on a musical production every year and this […]
April 1, 2019
The University of Utah, College of Fine Arts, presented their ArtsLink 2019 conference on Saturday, March 2nd. ArtsLink is free to students and is a daylong introduction into the wonderful world of arts integration. Plus breakfast, lunch, swag bags, and lesson plans for all! It was a fun day filled with art making and educational conversation. Breakout sessions, integrating the beautiful book, Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth, by Oliver Jeffers, were held in the four art forms of Dance, Drama, Music and Visual Arts. Dance with Jana Shumway: “Here We Are” on the LAND THAT WE […]
March 9, 2019
BTSALP Student performers advocated for continuing funding for Arts Education at the Utah State Capitol. Student artwork was displayed and students performed musical numbers, theater and dance productions. Thank you student advocates. Thank you Utah State Legislators.
February 21, 2019
BTSALP has known this for a long time!! Glad the rest of the world is catching on! Here’s an article from INC. The Benefits of Playing Music. Music helps your brain more than any other activity, and learning an instrument increases resilience to age-related decline in hearing. Find out what Chalkbeat has to say – Extra arts education boosts students’ writing scores — and their compassion.
January 15, 2019
Jean Gardner, BTSALP Dance Specialist at Meadowlark Elementary School, and her students are Happy to Dance and Happy to Learn! The First Graders learned all about the process of plant growth through dance. Third Graders combined the study of Australian Folk Tales and the phases of the moon. Upper Grades studied and danced ratios and rates using hand and leg movements. They also created a dance inspired by the artwork of Jean Michel Basquiat and the words of Maya Angelou’s poem, Life Doesn’t Frighten Me.
November 12, 2018
Guest Blogger: Kelly Bruce Glynn Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts Learning Program Coordinator Weber State University Arts Learning Collaborative Norma Zaugg, BTSALP Dance Specialist at Stewart Elementary in Davis School District, worked with third grade students to explore gravity, force, and friction through improvisation and choreography. Students learned how to use force to keep a simple piece of computer paper attached to their bodies while exploring the elements of dance. Once they finished working through these improvisations, students created a class dance based on their findings.
October 3, 2018
Don’t miss out on these exciting opportunities available to you, several at minimal or no cost! The Arts Engage Saturday workshops at UVU still have openings. Join the best presenters in the area for Drama, Dance, Music, Visual Art or Robotics workshops. Visit this website to sign up. Class meets October 13, November 10, January 26, February 23, March 16 and April 13. (There will be a make up for the Sept 15 class for those needing USBE credit.) Evening For Educators information and registration can be found here. October 3rd 6:00-9:00 at BYU University of Utah College of Fine Arts ArtsLINK Mini Conference Friday, October 5, 12:30-2:30 at […]
September 25, 2018
Here is a list, by art form, of all of the lesson plans and files, based on the book Locomotive by Brian Floca, from the 2018 BTSALP Statewide Conference.
March 25, 2018
Students in BTSALP schools all over the state have been busy connecting curriculum to all four art forms. Click here to see our amazing students drawing, dancing, singing and acting in this month’s newsletter. Wayne Geary, Visual Art Specialist at Rose Park Elementary School, and Louise Fischman, artist and therapeutic art educator, spent the summer of 2017 exploring and absorbing the culture and art of the Canadian First Nations along the Northwest coast of Canada. This trip was like a “master class” in the design process of totem poles and their meanings. Wayne and Louise collaborated with Robin Raine, school counselor, to develop a long term […]
February 23, 2018
It’s time to celebrate – the arts in Utah and the Winter Olympic games. See BTSALP students perform Hamilton: The Making of a Patriot at the Utah State Capitol during Arts Day on the Hill. Do you know what an armature is? Fourth Grade students at South Summit Elementary School do! Learn all about their artistic process and check out their sculptures depicting Olympic sports. Read all this and more in the current newsletter. Click here to see videos on our Facebook page of Summit Academy Bluffdale’s performance of Hamilton: The Making of a Patriot. Arts Day on the Hill The 2018 […]
December 3, 2017
A dance specialist, BTSALP coach, sixth grade classroom teachers and students in Alpine School District joined together for an integrated collaborative project on the solar system that’s “out of this world!” Read more about their project and Envision Utah’s 2017 Common Good Award Winner – Art Works for Kids in our current newsletter.
September 28, 2017
The Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts Learning Program has expanded! Meet some of our specialists as they go “Back to School” for 2017-2018. Enjoy learning more about our program and these amazing and talented educators. Click here to read all about it!
May 28, 2017
In the BTSALP world, Spring means showcasing student work at Art Nights, Musical Informances and Dance concerts. Click here to join us in celebrating another great year of the BTSALP!
January 27, 2017
Wind turbines, bouncy balls, University of Utah College of Engineering and STEAM! Click here to find out how these things fit together.
November 15, 2016
Music, Dance and Drama integrated instruction are essential for elementary school aged students. These art forms help children learn the following: establish a positive learning state create a desired atmosphere build a sense of anticipation energize learning activities change brain wave states focus concentration increase attention improve memory facilitate a multisensory learning experience release tension enhance imagination align groups develop rapport provide inspiration and motivation add an element of fun accentuate theme-oriented units Read our latest newsletter for information about Music, Dance and Drama in some of our BTSALP schools. Click here to read.
October 13, 2016
The Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts Learning Program is divided into seven regions under the direction of a college or university in Utah. This month’s newsletter spotlights the new visiting professor at Westminster College as well as schools located in this region. Click here and take a look at the wonderful things happening in these art spaces.