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Arts-infused instruction

Predicated on a belief in the power of play in the classroom, Literacy Unbound seeks to unbind traditional approaches to the teaching of reading and writing, troubling the divide between critical and creative thinking, demonstrating that intellectual rigor ultimately requires both.  

Our approach brings teachers and students together as creative collaborators to re-imagine challenging, classic texts through multiple modalities. We reinvigorate classroom communities using arts-infused, project-based, collaborative curricula developed around a shared text, increasing student engagement and building community in the process. While many arts-integrated organizations work primarily with students, we believe that by positioning this work as teacher education, we can create enduring practices with sustainable impact.

 

Literacy Unbound in action

Brian Veprek, lead facilitator of the 2018 Summer Institute, talks through the process of the 2018 Literacy Unbound Institute, where players created an immersive performance based on Upton Sinclair's The Jungle

Brian Veprek, one of the lead facilitators of the 2017 Summer Institute, helps bring together teachers and students to create an original piece of performance art based on a novel. For the first time this past summer 2017, Literacy Unbound took place in Teachers College's Learning Theater, a versatile learning space where nothing, from the walls to the lighting, is fixed.

The Literacy Unbound 2017 Summer Institute: remixing Heart of Darkness

Award-winning quintuple threat Lisa Strum shows students unconventional ways to harness their creativity during the Literacy Unbound summer institute at the Smith Learning Theater

Dr. Adele Bruni Ashley gives an overview of the Literacy Unbound pedagogy and experience during the 2017 Summer Institute

Christine Slingerland, a longtime teacher in NYC, brought her teaching experience to the 2017 Summer Institute held in the Teachers College Learning Theater, where she led a workshop in music and vocalization

Jennine Willet takes her experiences as a co-director of Third Rail Projects and leads a workshop on immersive theater experiences at the 2017 Summer Institute

Donna Costello encourages students to use movement to delve into literature for an entirely new artistic experience during the Literacy Unbound's study of The Heart of Darkness in Teachers College's Smith Learning Theater

The 2014 Summer Institute comes to life as players remix Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

 

Resources

DON'T JUST READ LITERATURE, EXPERIENCE IT
​Rich meaning-making happens when we find ways to experience literature together. ​

INVITATIONS TO CREATE
​Engaging multimedia prompts designed to support students in their reading and understanding of a shared piece of literature; free to download. 

 

FAQ

Can Literacy Unbound partner with me/my school?

Absolutely! There are a variety of options available, depending on your needs/the needs of your school. We can create a custom partnership that includes (but is not limited to!) the following: 

• Working closely with individual teachers, teachers across the grade, or teachers across the school to design a unit that culminates in a performance (live or virtual)
• Workshops and planning sessions that allow for observations and critical reflection to support the implementation of Literacy Unbound approaches in your classroom
• A collaborative model, in which teachers and Literacy Unbound coaches teach alongside one another — planning, creating, designing, and facilitating sessions together

Can a Literacy Unbound project take place virtually?

Yes! In fact, this work is already happening online, in our 2020 Summer Institute. Through a combination of asynchronous and synchronous sessions, teachers and students from around the world are working together to create a virtual performance based on a shared text — this year, we’re working with Jhumpa Lahiri’s Interpreter of Maladies.

For customized support that’s tailored to your classroom, we can design asynchronous and synchronous online professional development based on your specific interests. These sessions can focus on support for curriculum planning, creating Literacy Unbound invitations, implementing remixing strategies, and more. 

Where can I see an example of the Literacy Unbound process?

For a look at our approach to curriculum, check out our free Invitations to Create resource, which offers engaging multimedia prompts designed to support students in their reading and understanding of a shared piece of literature. Each invitation offers an opportunity to reflect, analyze, and synthesize the text at hand. 

You can also view past in-person institutes by visiting our video library. 

Which texts do you work with?

We primarily work with texts that are often identified as classic, complex, and challenging. These texts often demand prior knowledge from students, or include topics that may feel distant from student experience and interest. 

No matter which text you’re interested in working with, we can support you and your students in establishing connections, examining hotspots, and finding meaning in the text.

Which grade levels are the best match for Literacy Unbound?

Literacy Unbound’s approach to literature is relevant for all grade levels and is customizable for your students, no matter their age.

Do I need a background in performing arts in order to partner with Literacy Unbound?

No, though it’s helpful if you have an appreciation for the Arts. We use a multimodal approach for engaging with texts that encompasses reading, writing, visual arts, movement, performance, and more. There are multiple avenues for creation — students (and teachers!) do not need to be experienced in performance in order to engage.  

Where can I find information about your next institute?

We anticipate that information about our 2021 Summer Institute will be available in January 2021.