As we strive to fulfill our mission of connecting students to the arts and the arts to life, Wingspan is dedicated to providing custom designed programming for every school or organization we work with. For that reason, very few programs look alike, and as our in-school relationships keep growing so do our vastly different models for school partnerships. Wingspan’s current in-school programs range from arts electives to arts integration, from arts-based physical education to professional development for classroom teachers.
The collaboration begins as a Wingspan program director meets with a school leader to see what the arts education needs of the school are. This is done through conversation, reviewing current curriculum, and discussing students’ prior knowledge. When planning a program, we consider national and state standards, in addition to specific arts standards such as those outlined in The New York City Blueprint for the Arts. The same collaborative quality continues as Wingspan teaching artists go into the school to work with staff and students. Our hope is that when we collaborate with a school, we become a part of that school’s community.
Videography and Digital Photography teachers at Eleanor Roosevelt High School collaborate with Wingspan teaching artists to develop skills while co-teaching. This program was designed for classroom teachers to get hands-on experience in filmmaking and photography techniques alongside their students.
Students at Mott Hall 3 and Mott Hall Bronx High School choose from a number of arts-based physical classes to fulfill physical education requirements including Hip Hop, Capoeira and Latin Dance.
Once a week, the 4th graders at the Lower Lab School PS 77 have a single period of Wingspan, exploring Social Studies through theatre. The year begins with acquiring basic acting and improvisational skills, and culminates with a student play. Some of the topics addressed have been witchcraft, slavery, patriotism and Native American studies. The play is written, staged, and performed entirely by the students.
Twice a week at LCCS, the entire middle school engages in Wingspan classes for one hour. Students choose from classes such as Ballroom Dancing, The Art of Collage, Sitcom Writing, Poetry Slam, Hip Hop, Improvisational Acting, Digital Photography and Filmmaking. Because the classes rotate on a trimester basis, each student takes 3 different arts electives during the year, and will have shown their work each trimester at culminating showcases for family, friends, and the community.