Immersive Arts Integration: A Step-by-Step Guide to Transitioning Your K-8 School

This step-by-step guide takes you through the process of transitioning your K-8 school to the Immersive Arts Integration model. The model develops deeper connections with content, stronger relationships, and a positive school climate. Co-authors Dr. Jennifer Katona and Dr. Jennifer Masone combine decades of educational and artistic expertise to share a four-year roadmap to a sustainable immersive arts approach to teaching and learning. The Immersive Arts Integration model is based on five key tenets: Building Ensemble; Arts Integration into Core Content Instruction; Creating Integrated Units of Study; Elevating the Role of the Arts Specialist; and Spaces and Places. The authors explore each concept and its implementation, as well as measurable outcomes pertaining to pedagogy, academic achievement, social emotional learning, equity, multilingual learning, facilities usage, and school climate. They include resources for stakeholders across the educational spectrum to utilize and provide considerations for different staffing and fiscal models. Articulated schedules of professional development, lesson plan templates, sample lessons, and sample unit plans are also included for immediate use. Whether you are a district or school administrator or working in the classroom, you can have a hand in gaining buy-in and implementing an educational model that both infuses the arts into daily instruction and creates lasting improvement within your institution.