Open Charter Magnet Elementary, Los Angeles Unified School District

"Our school has a history of working with the Music Center for many years now in order to bring world class artistic assemblies to our students. During the 2007-2008 school year, we decided to combine professional development for our teachers focusing on one art form, followed by a curriculum connected assembly for the entire school. It’s been a real shot in the arm for all of us!" Principal Robert Burke at Open Charter Magnet School goes on to explain that empowering educators in the arts helps to support them in developing integrated curriculum based on thematic instruction.

Open Magnet Charter Magnet School was one of the first LAUSD magnet schools and the very first LAUSD charter school. Established 32 years ago and now serving 365 students in K-5th grade, the school’s mission is to “enable students to be life-long learners, informed and responsible citizens, competent and successful members of the work force and thinking, fulfilled, caring individuals with sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse multicultural society in which they live.” The school recognizes that each child is unique and possesses varied talents that can best be nurtured through a diverse curriculum, enhanced through rich learning experiences such as visual and performing arts, technology, and community service opportunities.

This year’s program at Open Charter Magnet put the spotlight on theatre. Teaching Artist Gina Fields led a professional development workshop focusing on basic storytelling techniques and dramatic skills for performance. The process of turning a story into a play increases reading comprehension, encourages literacy and inspires a joy for reading. Following Gina’s workshop, teachers and students enjoyed a performance of “Let Them Eat Books” by We Tell Stories, which celebrates the language and ideas of great poets and storytellers. A second workshop with Beth Peterson found teachers creating world masks using recycled materials. And as luck would have it, a few of Beth’s friends from a world famous puppet theatre group from Java called “Cup of Java,” were in town and brought some of their own masks to share with teachers. One week later, a tour de force solo performance of The Mask Messenger from acclaimed Faustwork Mask Theatre was presented. A mix of monologue, physical comedy and theatre, this performance explored the artistic, cultural and psychological use of masks throughout history using a “cast” of nearly twenty characters.

By participating in a Professional Development Workshop with a Teaching Artist from the Music Center, teachers can better prepare their students for the following week's Music Center On Tour performance. Teachers are inspired to integrate the arts into their thematic-based lessons which provide a richer, more meaningful experience for their students.

For more information about bringing student workshops to your school, call (213) 250-ARTS or email us at schoolprograms@musiccenter.org.

Written by Cammy Truong, School Communications Associate

Browse the Music Center Artist Directory for artists that can perform in your school, or read more about the BRAVO Awards and download a current application. View the Snapshots Archive.