From 2013-2017 I explored in the blog, A Closer Look (YCBA Teachers’ Resource) the role of a visual literacy practice in the classroom. Each entry fused the practical with the theoretical: What are the theoretical frameworks for such a practice and how might this practice work in the classroom on a day to day basis?
The highlighted entries below offer a snapshot of an active classroom practice.
A Closer Look was established by the education department at The Yale Center for British Art as a resource for K-12 teachers who see the interaction between museum and the classroom as a vital life-giving educational relationship.
Shared Conservation Lab at the Institute for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage, Yale West Campus, photo by James Shivers
2023 SUMMER TEACHER INSTITUTE
Monday, June 26–Wednesday, June 28
10 am–3 pm
Expanding Literacies, Extending Classrooms
This year’s Summer Teacher Institute, offered by the Yale Center for British Art (YCBA), will focus on visual literacy strategies for the classroom and art museum visits. It will demonstrate a multimodal platform that provides all learners (at all reading and writing levels) a space to grow, explore, and innovate. Participants will observe, write, and sketch in response to works of art from several different cultures. We will visit a conservation lab for a behind-the-scenes look at the extraordinary work performed by Yale’s conservators; learn more about what conservation can tell us about art objects and their history; and discuss the philosophical questions behind this work.
This year’s program will take place at Yale’s West Campus in West Haven, CT, a fifteen-minute drive from the YCBA (currently closed for renovation). Parking is free. Lunch and per diem will be provided.
As space is limited, we will be able to accept no more than twelve participants for this year’s institute. Participants must be currently working as teachers.
Please note that the deadline has passed for the Summer Teacher Institute 2023. Stay tuned for more information about our upcoming programs.
A Summer Institute Flyer, 2018.
26-29.6.2017. A wonderful week at The Summer Institute for Teachers. We explored together the powerful role images can play in life, in the classroom, and in our culture as whole. The very full week was lead by Linda Friedlaender, Jaime Ursic, Camille Parente, Patti Darragh, Tom Lee, Darcy Hicks and James Shivers. We had two guest lectures, Marvin Chun, Richard M. Colgate Professor of Psychology and professor of Neurobiology, Dean of Yale College who gave on Vision and the Brain; we also had Dr. Mira Debs, PhD Education Studies, Yale University, give a lecture on “Collective Identity and Visual Literacy”. As one teacher who participated in the week noted, “You all have given me new ideas for my role as a teacher and refreshed me on those previously offered. You truly reinvigorated my desire to teach. I look forward to Thursday evening consortium meetings and to bringing my students to the museum. I am confident that students will enjoy what I bring to them thanks to you!!”
