
Now in bite-sized portions across five Saturday mornings between September and December, our 2022 Virtual Literary Institute includes arts integrated sessions utilizing performing and visual arts to explore literature through creative lenses. Join us and engage in hands-on creative teaching strategies designed to help your students develop into strong readers. Experience lessons and exercises that challenge readers to perform in-depth analysis by examining how writers use language to produce particular effects, form meaningful assessments, and develop confidence in reading and writing.
Scholarship and University Credit Available
With the help of The Conrad Prebys Foundation, we are offering a limited number of scholarships to help make our upcoming Virtual Literary Institute accessible to all educators. To apply, contact us at: info@cotaprogram.org.
UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies credit is also available for anyone who attends. Email us at info@cotaprogram.org for more details.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP NOW!
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Geared Towards 2nd Through 6th Grade Teachers and Teaching Artists, but all educators are welcome.
Please join us for:
- Carefully scaffolded experiential sessions exploring English Language Arts through theater, writing, visual art, poetry, and creative movement.
- A celebration of learning day and collaborative brainstorming.
- One-on-one curriculum planning and coaching with CoTA Artists.
- Arts integration lessons, how-tos, and templates you can use remotely and in the classroom.
Download the PDF flyer HERE
The Literary Institute Series at a Glance:
Saturday, September 24 (8am-11:15am PST)
Relief Murals: Investigating Literary Themes and Main Ideas with Carmela Castrejón
Using collage, relief, and drawing techniques, guide students in translating their observations, interpretations, and textual evidence into rich illustrations. This session will highlight Julián is a Mermaid by Jessica Love as a sample text to work from.
Saturday, October 15 (8am-11:15am PST)
Stepping Inside Comparative Tales: Examining Character Development Through Theatre with April Boatman
Learn to embody literary characters through writing and performance. By stepping into the mind of similar characters from different cultures, such as Cinderella stories, readers may translate informed assessments and thoughtful inferences into well-crafted point-of-view writing.
Saturday, October 29 (8am-11:15am PST)
Starting with Self: Poetry, Identity, and the Senses with Tori Rice
Participants will look at the way poets use literary devices, such as figurative language, alliteration, repetition, imagery, simile, and rhythm, as they read and write poetry. Topics will include identity and the senses.
Saturday, November 19 (8am to 11:15am PST)
Symbols and Silhouettes with Reneé Weissenburger
Session participants will navigate rich, poetic excerpts from Sandra Cisneros’ The House on Mango Street. By using collage, drawing, and silhouettes, you will learn to help students identify and interpret the symbols that pervade our stories and our world.
Saturday, December 3 (8am-11:15am PST)
Exploring Myth Through Metaphor and Movement with Amanda Penaloza-Banks
In this workshop we will delve into the metaphorical realm of myth, applying creative movement approaches to embody, understand and express the language, imagery, and metaphors that they contain.