What is our relationship to the natural world around us? How have we become disconnected from the earth, the plants, and the animals that give our world life? In what ways can we foster and rebuild this connection as caretakers of our planet? 

The Chicago Habla Teacher Institute will explore ways to build culturally dynamic, project-based experiences in our classrooms. This summer’s interdisciplinary theme will connect the humanities and sciences demonstrating how to build learning experiences designed around essential questions, authentic artistic projects, exhibitions of learning, and hands-on experiences. Explore the theme of our connection to nature through the anchor texts Braiding Sweetgrass and A Walk in the Woods. The institute will connect to the resources around us both in the larger city of Chicago and at our host site, The National Museum of Mexican Art.

At this institute teachers will learn how to: 

• utilize culturally dynamic strategies and activities that will engage all students and provide multiple opportunities for differentiated learning
• integrate “multiple modalities” in student work including visual, textual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning
• think beyond the traditional delivery approach of education to the “experience” approach 
• design and implement project-based learning experiences
• build a thriving and supportive classroom community that fosters kindness, care, and equity

The Habla Institute will be highly interactive and participatory. Sessions are hands-on workshops where participants will “learn by doing.” The event will culminate in an exhibition of work on the final day, modeling how we can make our students’ learning visible to our global education communities and classrooms.

The Chicago institute is designed for teachers of every discipline and of all age levels from preschool to higher ed.

 Breakfast and Lunch will be provided as well as a culminating reception

Location: The National Museum of Mexican Art (hyperlink)

Schedule: August 6-9, 8:30am-3:00pm