Conclusion
Teacher Reflects and Shares Take-aways
Customized arts learning continues even after the experience concludes. As educators integrate customized arts learning experiences into yearlong curricular goals, the experiences that students have can carry on to shape their artistic viewpoints. Effective experiences can inspire others to seek out arts learning opportunities within their own cultural communities. Over time, effective customized arts learning can create powerful bonds between the school community, the arts education community, and cultural communities.
In this section, toolkit users will find information and resources to:
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Reflect on the experience and student learning
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Share success stories
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Build on successes to strengthen the school community, professional community, and cultural communities
Reflection
As you process the experience and learning that occurred, the following steps may be helpful.
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1. Reflect on your own learning and understanding.
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How have you changed as an educator?
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How have you changed as a creator/performer? As a person?
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2. Reflect on student outcomes.
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How did students integrate what they learned with their preconceptions? How did they relate their learning to their artistic practices?
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Collect qualitative (narrative) and/or quantitative (numerical) data for your information/records and to share with others.
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Ask students for their feedback. Use prompts such as “I used to think ___. Now I think ___.”
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3. Identify future touchpoints in the curriculum.
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How can you integrate the experience and the learning in your lessons throughout the year?
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4. Remember to sustain community connections.
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Send a written thank you after the event (see below).
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Consider inviting the culture bearer or group to a concert, showcase, art show, etc., where students are applying what they learned.
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With permission, connect the culture bearer or group with other teachers who are interested in similar projects.
How To Tell the Story of Your Success
After reflection, be ready to share takeaways with others.
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1. Save data
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Save qualitative (narrative) and/or quantitative (numerical) data—which show student growth.
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Find multiple ways to share the data with leadership.
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2. Share Pictures
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Share photographs on social media, newsletters, etc.
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Be sure to consult with and obtain permission from the cultural insider, students, etc., and also review district policies before sharing anything on social media.
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3. Share Student Feedback
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Use student feedback/testimonials to share the project!
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Have students write about the experience or video student testimonials to create a short video feature. Show the video at performances, art shows, district board meetings, etc.
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4. Create a Press Release
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Consider writing a short newspaper feature about the experience. Even regional papers could have an impact and result in support for your program. Ensure appropriate permissions have been granted before including student names, photos, etc., and share the feature with the cultural insider/group before sending it off for publication.
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What happened - such as the event, learning, and where (if it occurred at a special venue).
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When it happened.
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Who participated (include students and the group or individual presenter or guest).
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Details of the experience.
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Photos (if permissions are secured for all, including presenter).
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Student outcomes.
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Data would be great to include when addressing administration.
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Quotes: from the students, teacher, and/or leader of the experience.
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Why this experience was started, put in motion, etc.
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Be sure to contact the culture bearer or group and ask if it is ok to issue a media release.
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5. Thank You Letter
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Write a letter of thank you/appreciation/gratitude (written in first person).
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Acknowledgement of their time and expertise with the student group (name the group).
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Include student quotes.
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“As a result of this experience…” Identify the change you see in students.
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Consider having students compose thank yous or sign the overall thank you letter.
Build on Your Success
1. Communicate future ideas to administration as you share current success.
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“Now that we’ve done _____, I’d like to do this.”
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Include budgetary considerations; lay the groundwork to help create a path for learning opportunities that may need more investment.
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2. Provide Professional Learning.
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Provide professional learning to arts education colleagues about the process and how you did it.
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Encourage other arts educators to embrace similar work.
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3. Keep all artifacts of the experience for future reference.
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As others embark on a similar journey, sharing the artifacts would be helpful. The artifacts could help other teachers align instruction as they prepare for a similar experience.
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Artifacts may also be an excellent addition to your personal portfolio.
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4. Connect the impact of the project to future cultural work.
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The project may impact other learning throughout the school year and beyond. Think of it as a stepping stone to future endeavors in cultural exploration and expression. The project is not a singular event and has the potential to shape the trajectory of cultural exploration and innovation in your classroom for years to come.
Conclusion Resources
Disclaimer: Links to third-party websites do not constitute an endorsement by SEADAE of the content, viewpoint, accuracy, opinions, policies, products, services, or accessibility of the sites.
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