Side x Side and Arts Integration: Collaboration, Community, Celebration

The Side x Side Arts Integration Model centers collaborations between teaching artists and K–12 classroom teachers (and students!). To start, a teaching artist and classroom teacher plan an arts-integrated unit linked to established curricular content. To support these collaborations, teachers and teaching artists utilize a Teaching and Learning Map. These planning maps help ensure that arts learning and “content” learning occur in the unit.

A typical Side x Side unit starts with what is known as the “kick-off.” This initial session builds excitement and provides a preview for students what lies ahead. A kick-off typically involves a special visit by a community member, or “visiting expert,” whose own work brings a new perspective or real-world connection to the unit. During the Side x Side arts-integrated unit, teaching artists visit classrooms at pre-scheduled times and lead sessions where students engage in the creative process, creating art projects or performances. Teaching artists work closely with teachers throughout the unit to design inclusive programming that fits each particular school and classroom context. Side x Side projects last anywhere from a few class sessions to a few weeks.

A Side x Side arts-integrated unit culminates with what is known as a “Celebration of Learning.” It is at the celebration where students present, perform, or display their work, sharing it with others. Families are invited to celebrations as well as students and teachers in other grades and classrooms. These final arts projects and performances are examples of authentic assessments.  Students demonstrate what they learn and create for a real audience–just as all artists do!