Literacy Residencies

"Stimulating Comprehension with an Oral and Reading Emphasis"
A year-long language arts classroom residency for grades K4-6

The arts can be used as a powerful vehicle for learning, rather than detached from traditional curriculum as an "extra." Drama in particular lends itself to integration with literature and language arts. As a result, First Stage has developed Literacy Residencies with the exclusive goal of developing critical literacy skills among students for the purposes of increasing achievement on standardized tests and enhancing their overall comprehension and retention of grade appropriate English Language Arts Model Academic Standards.

 Watch this short video to see a Literacy Residency in action:

 

EARLY LITERACY RESIDENCY
A year-long literacy residency for grades K4-1 
Bi-monthly one hour sessions throughout the school year that take place in the classroom, 14 sessions total.  Classroom teachers receive 14 FREE books throughout the year to add to their classroom library, and each student receives one FREE book at the end of the year.

First Stage recognizes the important role that literacy plays in a child's life--and for very young children, exploring and playing with books is essential in laying the building blocks for the development of early and long-term literacy skills.

The early residency brings stories to life with dramatic activities and theater exercises. During each session, a First Stage Teaching Artist reads a well-known picture book to the class and then uses this story as a springboard for the lesson.  Students are up and out of their seats, engaging in story drama activities such as role play, creative movement exercises, and pantomime.  Additionally, each session focuses on a different grade appropriate Common Core Stage Standard for English Language Arts and Literacy. 


LITERACY RESIDENCY
A year-long literacy residency for grades 2-6
Weekly 1 hour sessions that take place in the classroom throughout the school year, 25 sessions total.

First Stage's literacy residency was designed to address two significant needs in area schools:  develop critical English literacy skills and improve state standardized test scores.  Each session focuses on a different grade appropriate Common Core Stage Standard for English Language Arts and Literacy.  First Stage works with classroom teachers to select the order of lessons and adapt lesson content so each session supports the classroom teacher's curriculum. 

First Stage uses active learning techniques to appeal to all types of learners.  During these sessions, students are up and out of their seats, engaging in dramatic activities such as role play, tableaux, pantomime and improvised scenes and exercises.

 

 

"I teared up a few times during the lesson because the teaching artists were so good with the children! The students asked the next day if Miss Julia was returning and I was thrilled to tell them we would see her in two weeks with a new adventure to act out."
-- ALBA School K4 Teacher

For more information about First Stage Literacy Residencies, email  Education Director Julia Magnasco or call (414) 267-2971.