Through the Art and Literacy Encounter, we

strive to measurably improve the quality of

life for children and adults in the areas

we serve. The program provides an exciting,

multi-faceted arts-in-education experience that

benefits the entire family.

IT TAKES A VILLAGE   The Art & Literacy Encounter is a

hands-on, multi-sensory approach to learning that offers a wide

spectrum of reading enrichment experiences for children and their families in Central New Mexico. It is a full-service family literacy project that seeks to actively involve parents and family members, teachers, community organizations, area artists, and volunteers in a learning process that is both joyful and productive.

The initiative provides creative workshops, tutorials, and a

continuing, evidence-based after-school literacy enrichment

program. In addition, we provide after-school enrichment sessions for children with special needs.

Through the Art & Literacy Encounter, Sierra Dove is also able to supply teacher training in the arts and parent-child interactive workshops that foster literacy skills and heighten community

awareness about the value of the arts in education.

WORKSHOPS FOR PARENTS AND FAMILIES

Our parent and family workshops foster better

literacy skills, and help parents motivate their

children to learn, to develop positive forms of self-

expression, and to become more confident readers.

We have sponsored workshops in partnership with the Ruidoso Public Library, Big Brothers/Big

Sisters, the Carrizozo Public Schools, the DWI

Prevention Council, the Dance Gallery, and Eastern New Mexico University/Ruidoso Branch.

The parent/child workshops help parents better

understand their children’s academic and social

needs. They supply strategies for developing a more

effective support system at home and at school.

Free Workshop

and

Art/Literacy Enrichment Series

WORKSHOPS FOR CHILDREN

Our youth workshops assist children in building better language, reading and reading-related skills, and in developing self-expression through the arts.

Each session includes stories, music, art, and

movement activities. Dancing, singing, and

playing musical instruments are an integral part of each workshop.

LITERACY WITH A

MULTI-GENERATIONAL FOCUS

The program offers many opportunities for

multi-generational activities. Children are able to learn and explore in a safe, supportive

environment with adults they trust. Illiteracy

tends to be an intergenerational issue, and

Sierra Dove strives to develop literacy programs

that support the entire family.

In 2007, Sierra Dove has sponsored more than thirty-five workshops for children, parents, and teachers, including workshops in music, art, literature, the performing arts, writing, and dance. Families enjoyed workshops in early childhood education, acrylic, tempera, and pastel painting, Mexican metal tooling, drumming, origami, ballroom dancing, collage, jewelry making, journaling, drawing on the right side of the brain, paper making, and much more.

WORKSHOPS BY VISITING ARTISTS

Through the Art and Literacy Encounter, Sierra Dove also sponsors workshops given by distinguished visiting artists and educators. In May 2007, Visiting Artist Wilma Salzman, the “Big Book Lady” and author of more than thirty music-based big books, led an early childhood workshop:

WORKSHOPS FOR TEACHERS

The focus of these workshops is to bring art and music into the classroom teacher’s day and to emphasize the role of the arts as a vital resource for academic learning.

In May 2007 Ms. Salzman also led a seminar for teachers, “Early Literacy through Song-based Books.” She believes that singing songs focuses the whole child on joyful learning. This workshop for Music, Head Start, Pre School, and Primary Teachers demonstrated that books based on folk songs are the perfect tool to teach early literacy skills. Participants learned how to teach pre-reading skills, colors, shapes, numbers, and counting skills using Big Books and music for little kids.

Another highlight of the Visiting Artist Series this year was provided by Paul Hallsted, a popular  and widely respected music teacher trained in the Orff Schulwerk method. Mr. Hallsted led two workshops in June 2007.

The first workshop was an introduction to Orff musical methods for teachers and other interested adults, incorporating an active learning experience that had the participants singing, dancing and playing instruments.

Paul Hallsted’s second workshop was a lively introduction for children to the process of learning

through Orff. The kids were engaged in music by singing, playing musical instruments, and

dance. They learned to play rhythm sticks, and received an introduction to playing the

metallophone and glockenspiel.

Our goal is to provide continuing support for the public school teachers in our area, by supplying them with increased knowledge about the valuable role the arts can play in reading programs, as well as specific methodology for implementing arts-based projects in school. We give them the tools they need to return to the classroom with renewed enthusiasm and confidence in their ability to foster the arts.

The Art and Literacy Encounter is funded through the generous support of the New Mexico Community Foundation and the Learning DisabilitiesFoundation of America. Additional art and literacy

programming for teens has been provided through a partnership with the DWI Prevention Council.

The Art & Literacy Encounter employs an integrative approach to literacy, incorporating art, music and movement as tools for helping children become life-long learners and readers.  This program produces solid, measurable results in the arenas of strengthening academic performance, as well as improving peer and parent/child social interactions.

Some of the topics for Parent Workshops are

Reading Aloud to Your Child, Brain Builders for Kids, Interactive Musical Activities for Parent and Child, and Sharing Art Together: Interactive Activities.

Songs + Puppets + BIG BOOKS = Fun!

This workshop for children ages 2 through 7 was based on the concept that basic reading skills are fun and easy when learned through music. Children were introduced to several Big Book titles through folk songs. They sang the song, played the game, dramatized with puppets, then read the BIG BOOK. Teachers and parents were invited to observe.

The  Art &  Literacy

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