Learning to Look: Summer Teacher Institutes

NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY "LEARNING TO LOOK" SUMMER TEACHER INSTITUTE June 29-July 2, 2015 |  July 13-16, 2015 Integrating portraiture into the classroom provides exciting opportunities to connect students with history, biography, visual art and many other subjects.  The National Portrait Gallery collection presents the wonderful diversity of individuals who have left—and are leaving—their mark on our country and our culture. The museum portrays poets and presidents, visionaries and villains, actors and activists whose lives tell the American story. The Summer Teacher Institute will take a broad look at the Portrait Gallery's collection. During the institute, the museum's curators and historians will provide in-gallery content lectures, introducing the collection. Using an interactive approach, Portrait Gallery educators will model a variety of "learning to look" strategies—unique ways to hook and engage students when they look closely at portraits. Participants will learn how to "read" portraiture and use the art as a springboard into a more in-depth discussion about biography and history. Teachers in grades kindergarten through 12 may apply as individuals or as part of a team. Priority will be given to social studies, English and language arts and visual arts teachers.  Institute participants will: Gain expertise from museum educators, curators and historians through gallery talks, discussions and hands-on activities Learn to use portraiture in the classroom, identifying and analyzing key components of a portrait and relating visual elements to relevant historical context and significance Make interdisciplinary connections among portraiture, social studies, and English and language arts Develop and share lesson ideas with colleagues  To ensure participation, a nonrefundable program fee of $100 per person is due upon acceptance into the teacher institute. Participants are responsible for travel and lodging costs. Each participant will receive a stipend of $200 at the conclusion of the workshop.  Apply now.  Please direct inquiries to npgeducation@si.edu or 202-633-8503. Sequoyah by Henry Inman, oil on canvas, c. 1830. Ornette Coleman by Elaine de Kooning, graphite with stumping on paper, c. 1965, © Elaine de Kooning Trust. Clara Barton by Mathew Brady, albumen silver print, c. 1865; acquired through the generosity of Elizabeth A. Hylton.  All images are details and are from the National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution.