Ram Talks Art: Back-to-school field trips

By Stacey Sauer

Education Coordinator, Rockford Art Museum

It’s that time of year again. The time of year that teachers anticipate and students dread. That’s right, it’s time to go back to school.

For many of you teachers and homeschool parents out there, you may be looking for ways to supplement your lessons and make learning a bit more fun for your students. Field trips to local museums and cultural organizations are a fun and easy way to supplement your curriculum.

Here at Rockford Art Museum (RAM), we are already geared up for the 2009-2010 school year. Curious about what’s going on at RAM? Check out these programs.

In RAM’s Artist-In-Residence program, students in grades K-12 enjoy a docent-guided tour of RAM’s feature exhibition and permanent collection as well as a hands-on activity with the museum’s artist-in-residence. Each activity is geared to the age level of the students and related to current exhibitions on display at RAM. Customized programs can be planned, integrating various subject matters into art. Teacher Guides for current exhibitions can be found on our Web site, rockfordartmuseum.org, and includes activities to do with your students either pre- or post-visit.

Our Terrific Tuesday program, led by Discovery Center Museum, Rockford Dance Company, and RAM, integrates fun and learning by engaging students’ bodies and minds in science and art. Teachers may select from one of three themes this year. In “Mixin’ It Up” (for grades K-6), students experiment with chemistry, colors and moves to mix things together with outstanding results. In “Body Basics” (also K-6), students explore the human form, learn how the body functions, and use their bodies to express themselves. In “Simple Machines” (grades 4-8), students explore machines that let our bodies move, use simple machines to make fantastic art, and learn the science behind simple machines.

Are you looking for a field trip that focuses on the arts? Sign up for a Fabulous Fine Arts Friday, a collaborative program between Rockford Dance Company, Rockford Symphony Orchestra and RAM. This program (formally known as RALLY, Rockford Arts Link Learning for Youth) has been expanded to include grades 3-8. This year’s theme, “Inspired Stories: Tales the Arts Tell,” teaches students how art, dance and music can all influence storytelling. Students will experience three arts-focused ac-tivities integrated with language arts concepts and vocabulary.

Are you a homeschool parent looking for classes for your students? For the first time this year, RAM is offering 16 homeschool classes that will run twice a month, from October 2009 through May 2010. Each class is on a different subject, and uses various art materials while teaching students about a number of artists and techniques in visual art.

Do you just want to tour Rockford Art Museum? Anyone can participate in our two tour opportunities. On a Docent-Guided Gallery Tour, participants tour RAM’s current exhibitions, as well as selections from the RAM Permanent Collection, led by a museum docent (tour guide). One docent per 25 participants is assigned. If you are bringing a school group to the museum, one adult chaperone is recommended per 10 students, grades K-8. Advanced booking for this type of tour is required. Schedule early, as spots fill quickly.

If you are a teacher who is feeling adventurous, why not personalize a tour and escort groups of children or adults through the museum galleries on a Self-Guided Gallery Tour. Self-guided groups may schedule visits during museum gallery hours, but must yield to docent-guided tours in the galleries.

For more information about any of the programs listed, check out www.rockfordartmuseum.org or call (815) 972-2874.

Contact RAM Education Coordinator Stacey Sauer at (815) 972-22874 or ssauer@rockfordartmuseum.org.

From the September 2-8, 2009 issue