Designing for Student Engagement and Comprehension with CAST’s Bookbuilder

BookBuilder is a tool developed by CAST to give universal design book building capability to teachers and
learners. The tool invites the creation, reading and sharing of digital books. This session will share the process of
developing a model book for BookBuilder called Looking through our students’ eyes: Designing for student
engagement and comprehension. The book highlights the visual aspects imbedded in teaching and learning
tools and practice.
Presenters: Yvonne Domings, Instructional Designer, CAST, Inc.
Kristina Lamour Sansone, Associate Professor of Design, The Art Institute of Boston at Lesley
University

Resource:
CAST, The Center for Applied Special Technologies
Bookbuilder
The Future Is in the Margins: The Role of Technology and Disability in Educational Reform.
Authors David Rose and Anne Myer

Arts in Preschool: Developing the Brain

Explore the unique connection between the arts, the brain, learning, and human development at the preschool
level. We will look at simple strategies to support the application of experience in the arts to appropriate content,
problem solve, and develop essential skills.
Presenters: Sandra Putnam-Franklin, Senior Early Childhood Specialist, Boston Ready, Institute for Community
Inclusion, UMass Boston
Su Theriault, Mentor Coordinator, Boston Ready, Institute for Community Inclusion, UMass Boston

Resources:
UD Steps for adapting materials for use by all children
Arts Guidelines
Resources Related to Arts Education in Early Childhood
The Importance of the Arts To Children
Universal Design Principles Early Education
Powerpoint

Art and UDL at the Patrick O’Hearn Elementary

This workshop will explore the concept of music and visual art as a tool for UDL by highlighting two VSA arts of
Massachusetts Artist Residency programs where teaching artists and classroom teachers collaborate to create
universally designed learning experiences for all students.
Presenters: Tim Archibald, Music Teacher, Patrick O’Hearn School
Mark Johnson, Visual Arts Teacher and VSA arts Residency Artist, Patrick O’Hearn School

Resources:
Powerpoint

UDL and Integrating Visual Literacy across the Curriculum

This workshop will provide participants with an introduction to Universal Design for Learning and applying the
principles to curriculum design to support the engagement and success of diverse students in classrooms.
Emphasis will be placed on visual literacy for teachers and students and the use of visual media to support
student learning.
Presenter: Patricia Ganley, M.Ed., CAST, Inc.

Resources:
The Assignment
Resources for UDL Workshop
Patricia Ganley Powerpoint

Applying Universal Design for Learning through Art Education

An introduction for educators to learn how arts in education can aid and enhance all aspects of learning and
understanding in a classroom. Participants will engage in a variety of learning modalities and hands- on
strategies that will enhance learning and understanding for all students. The needs and challenges of students
with sensory impairments will be addressed with information and hands-on experiences.
Presenters: Maureen A. Shurtleff, Lecturer, UMass Boston
Robert McCulley, Director, Northeast Regional Center for Vision Education, UMass Boston

Resources:
Patterns

UDL Principles in the Arts Classroom

This workshop will present and model UDL principles in the arts classroom. Participants will explore a sample lesson
plan, images, and inclusive art making techniques. The workshop will focus on developing the creative process
through familiar forms and unconventional approaches, incorporating digital technology to aid in classroom
accessibility.
Presenter: Gordon Sasaki, Museum of Modern Art, NY

Resources:
Adaptable Equipment
Drawing Lesson Plan
Gordon Sasaki UDL Powerpoint

Music and Words in Early Childhood Literacy

This hands-on workshop, for educators, artists and parents, will demonstrate ways to use a wide variety of simple
music activities to enlarge and enrich storybooks books with pre-K - 2nd graders. Linking music to books increases
pre-literacy and reading skills, excites and increases children's involvement, and offers alternative strategies for
meeting different developmental needs and learning styles.
Presenter: Deborah Stuart, VSA arts of New Hampshire

Resources:
Feel the Beat
Lowest Level of Intervention
Music Box
Start with the Arts order information
Start with the Arts Website

The Art of Writing: Turning Words, Sentences, and Stories into Unique Student created art books

This workshop will demonstrate engaging writing exercises paired with handmade art-books. The lessons
incorporate multi-sensory approaches to literacy that deepen the experience for students with a wide variety of
learning styles and needs. Student-made books motivate and engage students in building expressive skills.
Presenter: Deborah Stuart, VSA arts of New Hampshire

Resources:

Bibliography on Bookmaking
Lines for Starting Writing
UDL Writing
Lowest Level of Intervention
Let Your Style Take Shape resource