VTS Materials

VTS materials for teachers: see www.crystalproductions.com

• Each teacher requires a manual appropriate for grade and experience level

• Teachers in the same grade may share posters and slides (some schools keep them in a library or resource room)

• One website subscription per school provides access to all writing lessons and professional development materials; individual subscriptions available.

VTS teacher training

See the teacher training section.

• VTS training is available for teachers in Grades K-2. Training involves a one-day workshop, and two debriefings (approximately 12 hours total)

• VTS training is available for teachers in Grades 3-5. Training involves a day-long workshop at the beginning of each year for 3 years, and a series of debriefings each year that help for teachers to become proficient at facilitation, sufficiently knowledgeable about art to understand student development, and able to assess student growth

• Schools are self-sufficient after three years

• Subscription to the VTS Training Website, www.vtskid.org, adds training possibilities for teachers who want more training and information

VTS Coordination

One teacher appointed in each school to

• Schedule and announce training workshops and debriefings

• Arranges purchase of all necessary VTS manuals, posters, and/or slides directly from www.crystalproductions.com

• Arrange safe-keeping and schedule use of posters and slides

• Schedule museum visits for appropriate classes

• Liase between school and VTS trainers and coordinators in area

• Arrange training for new faculty

• Be paid a stipend for undertaking this extra work

Overview of VTS Teacher Training

VTS is designed for use by general classroom teachers and requires no prior art background. Training enables teachers to learn to use VTS, assess its effects on students, and expand their own experience with artÑall of these essential for getting maximal benefit from VTS.

Training is based on the premises of VTS itself: self discovery is a powerful way to learn, and self-directed learning can be facilitated by discussion among peers. Teachers are guided by a syllabus, which asks teachers to practice VTS in their classrooms and reflect on that practice during workshops and debriefings. This experience is enriched by a combination of expert-led demonstrations, printed guides, videotapes, and access to the program's creators by way of the Internet. A network of coordinators across the United States exists to lead training.

Training is augmented on the Internet, especially useful for teachers in remote areas.