NBOE Music Educators participate in R.A.M.P. (Recorder Arts for Musical Pathways) Professional Development at NJPAC’s Center for Arts Education. 37 Music teachers engage in strategies to facilitate implementation of grade 3 and 4 general music curriculum using the recorder instrument to teach students to read music, develop strong lungs and breath control, develop listening and aural skills, develop eye and hand coordination and fine motor skills among others. Recorders were provided at the end of the session for distribution to third graders across the district.
"My students are definitely more motivated! They LOVE their recorders! The use of the belts has my students practicing after school, seeking out extra help, and really learning and showing musical growth. Every day after school I am bombarded by at least five kids that need a little help, or who want to do their belt assessment again, and its madness but we all love it! I have definitely seen the relationship between my students and I improve, and the whole classroom culture has changed for the better too!"
The Newark Board of Education is kicking off the 2019-2020 school year and National Arts in Education Week with a large increase in Visual and Performing Arts Teaching Staff. Over 25 new positions were added inclusive of drama, music, theater, and visual arts for this academic year. According to Superintendent León, “These new positions were created because our children deserve to celebrate the arts”. In addition, he stated “This investment is being made to demonstrate the true genius of our students in the classroom, as well as in the visual and performing arts”.
Margaret El, the Director of Visual and Performing Arts states, “We are excited to know that more of our students will be able to experience and achieve basic literacy in multiple art forms at the K-5 level and the opportunity to achieve competency and mastery in at least one art form from grades 6 through 12.
Newark Music Educators participate in a 2-week intensive Orff Schulwerk approach to music and movement education at NJPAC for Level 1 Orff certification.
25 New Visual & Performing Arts Teachers convene at Park Elementary to collaboratively envision and develop plans for success and explore curricula resources.
