University of Mississippi Newsdesk - Annual Whole Schools Summer Institute Under Way at UM

Annual Whole Schools Summer Institute Under Way at UM

07/13/2009

OXFORD, Miss. - Third-grade teacher Kacey Matthews understands now that she can incorporate a drum circle into her classroom to better teach students. "The rhythm of the drum, the beat, is exciting, and I look forward to taking this back to my classroom to help make learning more enjoyable," said Matthews, a teacher at Jackson's St. Richard Catholic School.

The drum circle, just one segment of the Mississippi Arts Commission's 2009 Whole Schools Initiative, is part of a five-day conference offering educators innovative ideas for classroom arts integration. The 11th annual institute is going on at the University of Mississippi through Thursday (July 16), focusing on "Painting the Big Picture." Approximately 300 teachers, artists and administrators from more than 40 schools are in attendance.

The institute is filled with opportunities to learn how to teach math through dance and critical thinking and problem-solving through visual arts, and how hands-on, sensory lessons in the garden and kitchen can be translated into core subject lessons. Visit the WSI Web site at http://www.mswholeschools.org to learn more.

Members of the media are welcome to attend conference sessions and talk to participants. For media inquires, contact Susan Dobbs, MAC Public Relations Director, at 601-209-0927 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .