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 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 7, 2019
Robert Smith, BTSALP and Alpine School District Coach, is back guiding the 4th grade students in Ms. Mickelsen’s class through a session of scientific sketching and drawing. Topic: Butterflies! Scientific drawing require the artist to look at things through the eyes of a scientist. Charles Darwin was a scientist who was also an artist. He studied plants and animals and drew them in an accurate and detailed way. Boxes of butterflies, beetles and other creatures can be checked out from the Museum of Natural History on the University of Utah campus.
October 7, 2019
BTSALP and Alpine School District Coach, Robert Smith is a man of many talents. Follow along as he guides Mrs. Everitt’s Kindergarten class in some drawing exercises on National Dot Day! “We are learning to tell stories with pictures. Artists use exercises and mark making to strengthen the muscles in their hands. It improves our drawing.” Mr. Smith puts on the music, first a lullaby and then some . . . Super Hero music and students take their pencils dancing! Group and Peer critique is an important part of the art lesson. First students respond to the question, What is […]
May 21, 2019
The Sorenson Legacy Foundation was created to improve the lives of others and the world in which we live. The foundation provides support for a wide range of endeavors from community development and education to health care, scientific and artistic pursuits. On Friday, April 26, 2019 the Sorenson Legacy Awards were presented to nine outstanding arts educators. This year’s winners are as follows: ARTcetera, Provo School District, Exemplary Arts Program in a School or District Randall Beach, Secondary Music Instruction – Instrumental, Cache County School District Monique deWitt, Elementary Visual Arts Instruction, Alpine School District Steve Durtschi, Secondary Music Instruction […]
March 29, 2019
Guest Blogger: Rachel Zumaya Drama Specialist at Suncrest Elementary School, Alpine School District Pantomime /ˈpan(t)əˌmīm/ nouna dramatic entertainment, originating in Roman mime, in which performers express meaning through gestures accompanied by music. In the Drama space at Suncrest Elementary School, students have been learning about pantomime and how tableaus can tell stories. 2nd graders learned to do “the rope” and had a pantomime Tug-O-War that they acted our for their class. The 5th grade also did a Tug-O-War activity integrating the Underground Railroad and the Salem Witch Trials with drama skills. 3rd graders worked on a collaborative project where they […]
February 17, 2019
Two feet of snow didn’t deter Utah State Legislators, their families and friends of BTSALP from venturing to the Grand America Hotel for the annual Legislative Dinner. Art for the program is from The Spike 150 Graphic Novel, Auntie & Lopey Track the Transcontinental Railroad by Mrs. Quigley’s 4th grade class. Helen M Knight Elementary School, Moab UT. BTSALP Visual Art Specialist: Bruce Hucko Student artwork from BTSALP schools as well as enlarged drawings from the Spike 150 Graphic Novel project were on display to illustrate arts integration and celebrate 150 years of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad. Jeremy Chatterton, Principal at Dilworth Elementary, Salt […]
December 19, 2018
Christmas trees using only three shapes and a few basic colors. Thanks to Jen Terry and the first graders at Westfield Elementary School in Alpine School District.
November 5, 2018
Jen Terry is a BTSALP Professional Development Partner and elementary art integration coach at Alpine School District. She believes that art integration transforms learning into purposeful experiences that are worthwhile for the teacher and student. Jen holds a B.S. from Utah State University in Early Childhood Education with a Visual Art emphasis and a M.Ed. in Integrated Curriculum from American College of Education. As a practicing artist, she is passionate about the arts and children’s literature. She is a curator of children’s picture books who works to bridge stories and inspire ideas in the hearts of children and educators. Jen […]
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 […]
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.
March 25, 2017
Take a tour of BTSALP specialist, Kate Watson’s art space at Harvest Elementary School in Saratoga Springs. Kate is a master at integrating visual art with Science, Technology Engineering and Math. She puts the A in STEAM! Start your tour here in our latest newsletter.
February 25, 2017
The Utah legislative session is in full swing and BTSALP advocates are out in full force showing their LOVE for Arts Integration in Utah’s elementary schools. Read more about BTSALP’s advocacy efforts in our latest newsletter.