Classics in the Classroom

Classics in the Classroom builds a bridge to student-centered learning through the use of classic texts and theatre, infused in an arts-integrated curriculum that addresses the standards of learning. A major goal of Classics in the Classroom is to create active and engaged learning and instruction, rather than passive learning models that disenchant and disengage students from the learning process. Teachers participate in a series of interactive professional development workshops exploring how theatre can impact critical literacy, critical learning, and the development of arts-infused curriculum that creates active learning opportunities and instruction. The workshops extend into practical application through job-embedded professional development workshops that involve in-class collaborations between the classroom teacher and a teaching artist, during which, through effective co-teaching, the classroom teacher can approach utilizing the arts for learning applications in a vigorous and confident manner. Students benefit from enhanced teaching strategies that impact student achievement.

Classics in the Classrooms explores two essential questions:

How can teacher practice be impacted through an arts-infused learning approach?
How can the exploration of classic text and theatre connecting students to relevancy, critical thinking and critical literacy impact student achievement?

(The latest version of Classics in the Classroom will be piloted during the 2008-2009 season for complete roll-out in the 2009-2010 school year. For more information, please contact Dag Ngo, Trainings Program Manager, at 202.547.5688 or STCTrainingsPrograms@ShakespeareTheatre.org.)