CONFERENCES
& WORKSHOPS...
—
These are events for teacher
training and renewal. Often groups will negotiate a focus based on their own needs
and interests. The events are always lively, filled with practical information and
much nourishment for the heart.
KEYNOTE
PRESENTATIONS:
(often
using songs for a lighter, engaging keynote around either the theme of a
conference or one of the following topics)
-
"Building Environments of Belonging
for Young Children"
— being
responsive to what we know about how children learn and grow
-
"Nourishing the Heart of our
Teaching"
—
awakening our own vitality as teachers, our passions and talents
- "The Way Songs Enliven Learning"
— nourishing
creativity, imagination,
curiosity
WORKSHOPS:
(topics
similar to what's listed above, but with a more practical nuts-and-bolts
approach, more how-to, and interaction with participants...
topics also include the following)
-
"Using Songs to Listen to Children"
- "Strengthen Early
Literacy with Songs"
- "Integrating
Songs into the Life of a Classroom"
 |
—
Any of the above topics are available for district,
regional or building workshops too.
— The
Bureau of Education and Research (BER) hires Tom for a number of dates
around the country each year. We can let you know where and when
if you want information. |
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ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS...
—
The goals here are to have fun with songs, to integrate songs into
the life of the school and classroom, and to prod teachers to use more songs
to enliven learning (even when music isn't their strength!)
ASSEMBLIES:
(typically scheduled in two parts with 30 min. for grades K-3 and 45 min. for
grades 4-6)
- engaging, participatory programs geared to differences between
primary and intermediate ages
- mostly original folk songs, some traditional, with stories about
where they came from
- accompanied by guitar, and often demonstrating sounds and home-made
instruments
ALL-DAY VISITS:
(maximum
of seven sessions of classroom or grade-level visits)
- songs presented interactively with
students encouraged to ask questions and tell stories
- song writing
— described and
sometimes encouraged (brainstorming good
ideas, beginning to shape a song)
- folk songs as
more participation than performance, a tradition that belongs to all of us
—
In-service sessions for teachers are offered before or after the school day on a variety
of themes listed here in the section of workshops and conferences.
— PTA-sponsored family sings are
wonderful evening events for nourishing the sense of the school as a learning community.
— Schools are encouraged to
clarify what they want from these visits, and to schedule them so they fit the details of
their school day. |
 |
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NORTHWEST TEACHERS' CONFERENCE...
 Northwest
Teachers' Conference
(NWTC)
is a five-day event that offers an innovative staff development
experience. In 2006 it will be 11 years old.
Mornings are filled with presentations from a dynamic staff, afternoons are
open for participant-generated workshops and activities, and evenings are
for community-building campfires and gatherings. Past participant
teachers say they value the time to reflect on good teaching and learning,
and the chance to renew their own passions for teaching.
Tom and Richard Scholtz are co-directors.
For more information, click
here or get in touch
with us at:
(360) 676-8915
or
(360) 738-0340
rscholtz@aol.com
or
tom@tomhunter.com
The Northwest
Teachers' Conference is a project of the Puget Sound Guitar Workshop.
For more info,
click
here.
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CHURCHES...
 In addition to his work in schools and education, Tom works with
churches too. As
Every year Tom is
responsible for the content of a Christmas Eve Family Celebration hosted by
First Congregational Church in Bellingham, WA. Held in a theater and
drawing 1,300-1,400 people, the celebration features original music and a
lively retelling of the Christmas story for people both supportive of and
cynical about churches.
Some of
his content themes are:
- worship and music
- using hymns as invitations to
telling stories
- the way ordinary details
become images of faith
- and what are the marks of a
lively church and lively ministers.
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If you have any other
questions or would like to schedule an event with Tom, you can contact him
directly at (360) 738-0340 or
tom@tomhunter.com. |
