An international forum with three days of workshops and model classroom visitations that feature master teachers and educators, as well as research experts from Harvard University and Michigan State University will be conducted by Traverse City Area Public Schools to share best practices that enhance student learning and thinking.  TCAPS’ school district has been working with Harvard Project Zero over the last decade to help classroom teachers and district curriculum specialists develop and employ “thinking rich” instructional methodologies and curriculum that focus on student learning and deep understanding.

The conference will present the learning frameworks, Artful Thinking and Visible Thinking, that help teachers create a “culture of thinking” in their classrooms through routines and structures that reveal student thinking.  The Artful Thinking program promotes rich connections between works of art and the curriculum and helps teachers use arts experiences for developing student intellectual behaviors such as questioning, reasoning, comparing and connecting, making careful observations, unpacking complex situations, and exploring multiple viewpoints.

Through funding from an Art in Education Model Development and Dissemination Grant Award from the U.S. Department of Education, TCAPS has developed these programs over the last three years in partnership with Harvard Project Zero. The forum will introduce and disseminate these successful programs. “Educators from as far away as Mexico, Hawaii, and coast-to-coast in the United States as well as Amsterdam will be joining our TCAPS instructional teams and other Michigan educators to focus on sharing what works – as we all strive to prepare every one of our learners for success in a global world,” remarked Dr. Jayne Mohr, TCAPS’ Associate Superintendent of Curriculum. “We are pleased and proud to host this conference that will showcase our school communities and the Grand Traverse Region.”

For additional information about the conference, see attached conference booklet. 

The media is welcomed to attend any sessions.  Please contact RaeAnn Fiebing at 933-1783

or 944-3193 for more information.