

Building, performing and educating with musical instruments made from trash since 1991
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BASH THE TRASH PRESENTS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

THE TEACHING CRAFT
Backwards design is a planning model that helps tie student art creation, curriculum design and assessment into a unified package. Backwards design can sharpen the focus of a residency or instructional unit, help students to aim for and achieve success, and assist arts teachers in creating more effective lessons. This workshop by John Bertles represents personal lessons learned during a decade of work with arts teachers in the New York area, and includes components from several curriculum design models in an effort to find the most arts-friendly approach. More of a moderated discussion than a lecture, this workshop gives all participants an opportunity to share their expertise and experience.
Available in 3 hour, 6 hour and multi-day versions.
BACKWARDS DESIGN FOR TEACHING ARTISTS AND ART EDUCATORS
FINDING YOUR ART IN THE STANDARDS - YOU'RE ALREADY DOING IT!
Don’t change what you do to fit the standards - find the standards in what you do! Learn how to interpret the language of the standards, and then see how that matches up to your own programs. You’ll discover the surprising flexibility of national, state and local standards in relation to your art form, and will be able to point out your standards connections to students, parents and administrators.
Available in 3 hour, 6 hour and multi-day versions
CREATING ARTS-BASED ASSESSMENTS
It IS possible to make rigorous arts-based assessments without compromising creativity. Single session is an overview; multiple or full-day sessions will go deeper into planning, rubrics, and assessment styles.
Available in 3 hour, 6 hour and multi-day versions
THE LEAD TEACHING ARTIST: Observer, Evaluator, Mentor
The Lead Teaching Artist (or Teaching Artist Mentor) is a vital part of any cultural institution that places arts programs in schools. This workshop will examine the role of the LTA organizationally and in the classroom. We’ll take a look at some videos of actual classroom situations and practice observation and critiquing techniques.
3 hour workshop
ARTS ENTREPRENEURSHIP - From A(rts) to B(usiness)
In this collegial discussion teaching artists and administrators of small arts organizations will learn how to incorporate entrepreneurship strategies without compromising their artistic integrity. John Bertles and Carina Piaggio, husband-and-wife co-directors of Bash the Trash Environmental Arts LLC, will share their own experiences in moving from clueless teaching artists to a nationally-known organization with a roster of teaching artists. Participants will share their own best practices and experiences, and leave with concrete strategies to use immediately.
A two-facilitor 3-hour workshop
TRANSFORMING THROUGH PERFORMING (6 hr.)

Part 1- Creating Effective Arts Assemblies with the Community in Mind
Arts organizations are constantly evolving new performances for students. In Part 1, we’ll look at creating dynamic, relevant and exciting performances - that are also fiscally sound. We’ll explore how creating with the entire educational community in mind can give your new shows a better chance of survival in a very competitive market. And, along the way we’ll consider how best to engage modern audiences, assess student learning on-the-fly, and consistently formulate performances that will inform, educate and inspire our students.
3-hour workshop
Part 2 - Strengthening Existing Arts Assemblies
Arts education performances, like cars, need regular maintenance. Sometime they just need a quick tune-up, but every now and then they need something a bit more far-reaching. In Part 2 of this series we’ll consider a sequence for “tuning-up” your existing performances, as well as some of the deeper pedagogical concepts of performance for children. We’ll specifically look at how your show’s delivery system (visual, musical, theatrical, etc.) can be adapted for different audiences; how to anticipate and prepare for technical and venue issues; and especially how increasing and strengthening audience interactions can help to engage and educate our students on a deeper level.
3-hour workshop