Project LEAP (Learning Enriched through Arts Partnerships)

Project LEAP establishes artist residencies in academic classrooms to promote alternative instructional strategies.  Our professional artists collaborate with classroom teachers, resource teachers, and therapists to develop and implement arts based lesson plans for traditional subject matter.  CCE also provides training in arts integration, multiple intelligence theory and curriculum mapping for teachers and administrators.  These action-oriented workshops help schools reform their curricula to better address the educational needs of the twenty-first century student.

Project LEAP integrates the arts into the academic curriculum. Our program focuses on content areas such as math, science, and languages, using the arts as a tool to teach key concepts and lessons.  Very capable art, music and drama teachers are already teaching the disciplines of the arts in the schools: Project LEAP does not attempt to repeat or replace their good work.  Rather, Project LEAP commits its resources to bringing artists and classroom teachers into lively and successful collaboration, offering new and creative ways for students to learn.

Artists are never alone in the classroom with students.  Project LEAP is based on principles of teacher/artist collaboration and team teaching.  Artists and teachers collaborate on lesson plans and work together to teach students. This essential strategy leads to successful lessons and positive relationships within Project LEAP.  Teacher’s aides, parent volunteers, and other adults may be included, but the Project LEAP artist and teacher must both be present and actively engaged with students at all times

The key to successful Project LEAP activities lies in the understanding between the classroom teacher and the artist who works with that teacher’s students.  Arts integration applies specific arts-related activities to teaching practices that support curriculum objectives.  Each artist will bring his/her own background, knowledge and experiences to bear on the collaborative process with the teacher.  Not all teachers will have an interest in opening their classrooms and their teaching methods to an outside collaborator.

Project LEAP teachers are especially flexible and willing to try new ways of working.  They understand the benefits a program such as Project LEAP brings to their students and are willing to go the extra mile to help make it work.  Project LEAP teachers bring to the artists their knowledge of:

• The students--their level of ability and history (student name tags have been very helpful to Project LEAP artists);
• How to best manage students in a classroom (it is important to have a “discipline discussion” between teacher and artist to establish roles and responsibilities in class);
• The curriculum--what is important and why;
• How to create a lesson plan--how they work and why they don’t;
• The school schedules and functions;
• The in-school volunteer coordinator for possible inclusion of volunteers in Project LEAP activities.

Artists depend heavily on Project LEAP teachers’ experience with students, curriculum, and schools when designing new lesson plans.  This unique collaboration between teachers and artists insures the success of Project LEAP activities.

Project LEAP artists may be practitioners in any arts discipline.  Artists listed in the Project LEAP Artist Roster have successfully completed a peer panel review and interview.  Peer panelists are members of South Florida communities and are arts and/or education professionals.  This screening process has provided a pool of qualified, experienced artists who understand arts integration, have worked in schools and/or after-school programs, and who support Project LEAP goals (helping teachers teach and helping students learn).

Roster artists are collaborators, professionals in their field, and they have a special interest in young people.  Only artists listed in the Artist Roster may be paid through Project LEAP. Artists who are accepted to the Roster are continually evaluated for continuation in the program.  CCE holds a Peer Panel Review every fall and spring.  If you know someone that is interested in applying have them contact CCE for an application.

The following schools have recently taken part in one or more LEAP activities in their school or they have contracted to have one or more LEAP activities in their school within the remainder of the 2006 school year.

JC Mitchell Elementary, Jupiter Farms Elementary, Royal Palm School, St. Francis, Westgate Elementary, Wynnebrook Elementary, Pahokee MS/S High, South Grade Elementary, St. Joseph’s Episcopal School, Egret Lake Elementary, Lincoln Elementary, Belvedere Elementary,  Northgrade Elementary,  Allamanda Elementary,  Loggers Run Middle School, Palm Beach Public Elementary, Wellington Elementary, Sago Palm Elementary, JFK Charter School, Pahokee Elementary

Parents and other volunteers bring much needed help to Project LEAP.  A program of this size and scope always has a place for interested, committed individuals who wish to contribute time and energy.  Volunteers can contact a school or CCE for more information.

 

 

Project LEAP Partnerships

Project LEAP Partnerships can be established to work with Project LEAP schools to better serve young people by refining arts in education services through planning and networking.  Partner members may be organizations or individuals. Partnerships can lessen duplication of services and also open new resources to schools and other youth service providers. The creation of partnerships varies by the participating schools and the artists collaborating within. 

Partnerships can provide expertise in program expansion and development, creating a new infrastructure for bringing the arts to young people where they spend most of their time.  Partnerships can bring together diverse individuals and organizations that wish to collaborate, experiment, and learn new ways to serve young people through the arts.
 

 

Other CCE Services