ELTA's Work with the UAEU:
About the ELTA/Wolf Trap Program
The Creative Arts Team's Early Learning Through the Arts: New York City Wolf Trap Program actively involves Head Start and pre-kindergarten through first grade
students and their teachers in interactive drama activities designed to
explore human, social and curricular issues. Within the context of a
story that unfolds over a series of days, CAT's professional
actor/teachers, together with the children, play characters that
address and resolve dilemmas raised during the drama sessions. The
decisions the children make impact the evolution and outcome of the
story, offering young people the opportunity to examine the
consequences of their actions within a fictional context. Through their
contributions, the children also come to learn that they have the
ability to positively affect themselves and those around them.
 The Early Learning Through the Arts program is particularly effective
in supporting and developing emergent literacy skills, providing
children with early preparation for reading and writing and laying the
foundation for literacy in later grades. Each drama session is
carefully designed to build such skills as observation, sequencing,
projection and symbol recognition. The strategies used also develop
listening and speaking skills, while the issues addressed in the
stories encourage group problem-solving skills, cooperation, creativity
and critical thinking.
In addition to our direct services to students, ELTA offers a powerful
teacher-training model that supports the professional development of
teachers in the use of drama in the classroom. Through modeling,
mentoring and implementation, teachers are able to practice and reflect
on their work with the ongoing support of the actor/teachers.
For information and pricing, contact:
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Key Themes:
- Literacy Skills
- Identification of Feelings
- Communication
- Anti-Bullying
- Understanding Human Differences & Similarities
- Respect for Self & Others
- Management of Emotions
- Conflict Resolution & Creative Problem Solving
- Community Building & Responsibility
Participants:
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3 classes, a maximum of 25 students per class
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Grades Pre-K through Third
Program requirements:
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A room large enough to accommodate 25 students
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A blackboard
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Movable furniture
Length of program:
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10-, 15-, or 22-day residencies for three classes, each session lasting up to 45 minutes
Teacher's role:
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Participate from the beginning until the end of each session
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Completion of an evaluation form at the end of the residency
"Once in a great while, magic happens in a classroom. It was my
experience that your gifted and talented messengers of
drama-in-education never failed to create such magic. Quiet, shy
students opened up before our eyes. Sensitive, creative students
demonstrated their gifts and talents. The experience of teamwork in
solving our problems had a wondrous effect on our class' cohesiveness."
- Early childhood teacher, Brooklyn
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CAT Offices - 101 West 31st Street, 6th Floor - New York, New York 10001
