A K-12 Educator program participant reads a picture book in Nolen Library. Photo by Filip Wolak
«During the recent Met K-12 Educator event Reading Art, Telling Stories, teachers in the New York City area were invited to discover how art conveys, evokes, and inspires stories, to enjoy talks by contemporary artists and authors, and to participate in activities ranging from writing to art making. Nolen Library was thrilled to be a part of the event, hosting two programs and welcoming educators to the library throughout the day.»
Assistant Museum Librarian Leah High chats with teachers in Nolen Library's Children's Reading Room. Photo by Filip Wolak
During two drop-in sessions of Reading the Art of the Picture Book, Nolen Library staff welcomed over 60 educators to browse award-winning titles and chat with Met librarians to get fresh ideas about how to look at and discuss the art in picture books.
Selected picture books included prompts for discussion. Photo by Leah High
Using examples from the picture-book collection, librarians invited conversation with questions such as, "What do you notice about our placement or perspective as viewers in this book?" and "What more can we find by looking at how the illustrator has used line and color?" Educators responded and engaged in their own conversations in order to deepen connections.
Library staff discuss the art in picture books with educators in Nolen Library. Photo by Christine Wierzba
When gathered in Nolen Library's Children's Reading Room, participants were given an overview of the library's collection, highlighting great resources for educators about The Met collection, art-making practices, lesson plans, and more. They were welcomed to register to borrow materials from Nolen's Teacher Resource Room and to add a trip to the library when planning a class visit to the Museum. It was really wonderful to connect with these educators, especially since, for many, it was their first time participating in a K-12 Educator program and their first visit to Nolen Library.
A teacher sketches during the artist-led book-making workshop. Photo by Filip Wolak
Down the hall in the Ruth and Harold D. Uris Center for Education's Art Study Room, 50 educators attended two sessions of Art of the Graphic Novel: Storytelling in Words and Pictures, which featured award-winning illustrator and writer Dasha Tolstikova.
A Year Without Mom, the debut graphic novel for young readers by Dasha Tolstikova, published by Toronto: Groundwood Books, 2015. Image courtesy of Dasha Tolstikova
Dasha gave a fascinating presentation discussing her path to becoming an illustrator, her creative process, and what inspires her work.
Educators work on their own Met-inspired short books before sharing their creations with the group. Photo by Filip Wolak
After the presentation, the artist led participants in a book-making workshop drawing upon The Met collection. She passed around examples of her work, gave feedback, and answered a range of questions from the audience.
Guest speaker Dasha Tolstikova chats with teachers. Photo by Filip Wolak
In addition to all the other inspiring conversations and workshops offered during Reading Art, Telling Stories, we hope Reading the Art of the Picture Book and Art of the Graphic Novel: Storytelling in Words and Pictures equipped educators with helpful resources, skills, and ideas they can incorporate into their teaching.
Are you a current K-12 teacher? Nolen Library offers helpful staff and great resources for Educators about The Met collection, art-making practices, lesson plans, and more. Learn more about K–12 Educator Programs and discover online, print, and other resources to foster learning.
Related Links
In Circulation: "Teens Turn Up the Volume" (December 9, 2015)
In Circulation: "It's Party Time . . . Excellent!" (October 21, 2015)
In Circulation: "¡Noche en el Met! ¡Noche en Watson Library!" (October 7, 2015)
#MetKids Blog: "#MetKids Know How to Party!" (September 30, 2015)