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 […]
May 11, 2020
Debbie Beninati, BTSALP Music specialist at Sandy Elementary School in Canyons School district wrote two original songs and one original rap for a production of The Day the Crayons Quit. Students in the after school program did the rest: staging, casting, orchestrating on Orff instruments, painting protest signs for the crayons to carry, and creating art work that accompanied the story. Their only “script” was the text of the story, The Day the Crayons Quit , by Drew Daywalt. Safe to say it was a SMASH HIT!
April 3, 2020
Enoch Arts Night (Title 1 Family Engagement Night) for Enoch Elementary in the Iron County School District under the direction of BTSALP Visual Arts Specialist, Kirsten Anderson, Principal, Daniel Ekker, and Reading Specialist, Marcy Christensen was held on Monday, February 10th. It was a wonderful night FULL of creativity and fun! The event featured a large student art show full of the arts integrated projects the students had been working on since the beginning of the year. There were trainings for parents on how to best support their students academically and emotionally. The SUU Play Team was in attendance to […]
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 […]
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 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 […]
November 1, 2019
Josh Roberts, BTSALP Music Specialist, makes musical magic on a daily basis at Blackridge Elementary School in Jordan School District. The music making starts before school and continues after school with Recorder Club and Ukulele Club. Students eagerly get out their Orff instruments and start the class session practicing rhythm. Rhythm, beat, teamwork, coordination and concentration all come into play with this musical activity. Friends of Job Oh the friends of Job are quickly passing by, They can take, they can leave, They can take, they can go, They go tiga-taga tiga-tag tiga-taga toe, They go tiga-taga tiga-tag tiga-taga toe, […]
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 6, 2019
Here is a good video clip and news article to share with parents, principals, colleagues, and community members on WHY Music Education is so important for children. CBC News Article: From musician to physician: Why medical schools are recruiting for musical ability Interesting research based Ted Talk and video clip
October 18, 2018
Maurya Fox, BTSALP Specialist, is a music teacher extraordinaire. She teaches before and after school programs, conducts and accompanies 60 participants in the “Soaring Singers” chorus, and directs a musical theater group that has 55 participants. But the “real magic” happens when you walk through the doors of her classroom at Riverside Elementary School in Jordan School District. Her classroom is filled with instruments, artifacts and treasures from countries all over the world. Ms. Fox uses African instruments to teach sixth grade students about the culture and music of African nations. Agogo Bells – Nigeria, Ghana Background: The agogô may […]
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.
May 21, 2018
Art Nights, Musical Performances, Theater Productions are what make Springtime in BTSALP schools the best time of the school year! Join the celebration by reading our current newsletter. North Elementary in Iron County, a STEM Partner school with Southern Utah University, held their STEAM Night highlighting Math and Science integration. BTSALP Visual Arts Specialist: Lori Wrankle. Lomond View Elementary, Weber School District, BTSALP Visual Arts Specialist: Mendy Reese North Ogden Elementary, Weber School District, BTSALP Visual Arts Specialist: Alisa Webb Ogden School District Elementary Arts Festival Artwork from James Madison and Horace Mann, BTSALP Visual Arts Specialist: Brent Rhodes and Lincoln, Polk, and […]
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 […]
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!
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.
September 15, 2016
BYU Arts Express featured Carrie Ekins and her Drums Alive program for students as part of their summer 2016 workshop for classroom teachers and specialists. The Drum Beat Chemnitz Drumming Research Project with Drums Alive In 2010 Drums Alive® took part in a scientific study THE DRUM BEAT Chemnitz Drumming Project a worldwide, unique research project that was created to answer scientific questions as well as derive and evaluate social and medical measures using the characteristics of drumming and movement. The Drum Beat was inspired by a research project of the University of Gloucestershire and University of Chichester, titled the […]
May 11, 2016
May means celebrations . . . of art, music, books, dance and theatre. BTSALP schools REALLY know how to celebrate! Click here to read the current newsletter and celebrate along with them.
April 28, 2016
Infuse art! Change our world! The second annual free statewide ArtsLINK conference took place on Saturday, March 25, 2016 at the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts and Education Complex on the University of Utah campus. Learn all about this conference in the latest BTSALP newsletter.