KEYWORDS

In February of 2010, Young Audiences partnered with seven DeKalb County Title I elementary schools to provide approximately 150 third, fourth and fifth-grade students with the A4L Lessons program in an extended-day format.

Participating students worked through Unit 3 of the Arts for Learning Lessons program, “Everyday Heroes,” by studying Jonah Winter’s biography, Roberto Clemente: Pride of the Pittsburgh Pirates while working in the art technique of collage. At the end of the residency, students showcased their personal collage creations during culminating events at each school.

A study was conducted by Roanoke College and WestEd as part of the 2009-2010 A4L Lessons National Research Plan to evaluate the effectiveness of A4L Lessons for Title I, below-level readers enrolled in DeKalb’s extended-day program.

Key research findings from the study include:

• A4L Lessons helped improve student literacy learning by contributing positively to student literacy gains.
• Students showed engagement and interest in A4L Lessons.
• Teacher attitudes towards A4L Lessons were positive.
• School administration and teachers view A4L Lessons as a valuable literacy curriculum for an extended-day school program.
• DeKalb County Public Schools study findings support A4L Lessons National Research results.

Read more about the effectiveness of Arts for Learning Lessons:

• RESEARCH SUMMARY
• COMPLETE RESEARCH REPORT.