The Herald-Times
Preschool class is getting an artful advantage
Our opinion
January 30, 2013
It’s good to see the latest collaboration between Fairview Elementary School and institutions of higher learning reaching all the way to the youngest students.
As detailed by reporter April Toler in Tuesday’s In School feature, Ivy Tech Community College is partnering with Fairview to introduce artful learning concepts to the school’s preschool instruction, beginning next fall. Arts instructors will work with Fairview students and assist Fairview teachers in expanding their use of artful learning strategies in the classroom.
Fairview has been using the project-based learning model developed by the Leonard Bernstein Center for two years, but this will expand the program to preschool. With research placing more emphasis on early childhood development, this is another way to prepare kids to achieve in school by introducing them to learning methods they need to master as they go forward.
Bloomington is lucky to have two institutions of higher learning willing to involve themselves with the community’s schools. The Indiana University Jacobs Schools of Music, for example, has collaborated with Fairview for several years in the String Project, which provides violin instruction for students. Ivy Tech also has worked with the school on other arts-related projects.
Of course, while we’re handing out plaudits, we should recognize the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County, without whose support in the way of grants, this latest collaboration would not happen.
Preschooler Patrick England, left, helps Abi Oakley during an exercise to learn the sounds and appearance of letters Monday at Fairview Elementary School. Soon artful learning will be applied to some of their lessons, just as it is for older Fairview students. Jeremy Hogan | Herald-Times
Copyright: HeraldTimesOnline.com 2013
About Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana's largest public postsecondary institution and the nation's largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state's engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, long- and short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns with the needs of the community. The College provides a seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a bachelor's degree.
