LCI: Report from the Field

December, 01 2010

Members of LCI have just returned from their latest consultancy visit to the Lafayette Parish School System in Louisiana to report a resounding success. Over two years, nearly 170 teachers delved deep into LCI's approach to imaginative teaching, and now, in the third and final year of the consultancy, it is clear that the work is paying off.

During this visit, the effort centered on two schools within the Parish. LCI's Director of Strategic Alliances, Cathryn Williams, and teaching artist Jean Taylor piloted LCI's newest object of study: two picture books. Frederick, Leo Lionni's philosophically-inclined mouse, was taught to K-5 students at the JW James School; The Arrival, Shaun Tan's classic story of the immigrant as a stranger in a strange land, was used with sixth-grade science, English, math, and social studies classes at the L. J. Alleman Arts Academy. The students at both schools loved their lessons, as did the teachers. "[I have] nothing but enthusiasm for the lessons," commented one. Sandy LaBry, Supervisor of English, World Languages and Visual Arts, added: "We understood just how we, too, could use the Capacities for Imaginative Learning to engage our students and hone our questioning practices and integration of art-making to deepen their critical thinking."

For both schools, lesson plans were designed with particular attention to the schools' specific needs (LCI consultancies are known for their "customized" approach), based on local grade-level curriculum expectations. The teachers will use them on their own. "We are delighted with the development and the longevity of this collaboration," says Cathryn. "It's a working friendship that has stretched over three years. For that, we really have to thank the U.S. Department of Education, who funded Lafayette's Art Smart program. Jean and I can't wait to go back." They will be going back quite soon—in a month, to be exact. This time, they will demonstrate lessons focusing on a sculpture installed at the JW James School.

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