Study Guides for School Shows

By Johnette Downing


Study guides are an important element in your school booking confirmation packet. Study guides assist administrators, teachers and students in preparing for your upcoming performance by giving them useful information about you, your program and how your program fits into the curriculum. Below is a brief outline of the information you should address when creating your study guides:

A. About the Artist

A brief artist bio that indicates something about you, your art form, your accomplishments, and your experience.

B. About the Program

A brief overview indicating the theme, style, age range, length and content of your program. You may expand this section by adding the history of your art form or the particular style within your art form that you will be presenting. For instance, if you are performing a jazz program, you may want to make a statement about the history of jazz and why you have chosen to present this style of music.

C. Curriculum Connections

Indicate how your program makes curriculum connections in the areas of math, science, art, history, music, English, social studies, dance, etc. For instance, a jazz program may make curriculum connections in social studies, history and music.

D. Enrichment Activities

Include simple activities and ideas that the teachers and students can use before and after your program to enhance their understanding of your program and your art form.

E. Resources

Provide teachers with a resource list of books, audios, videos, articles, and websites for further information.

If you make your study guides simple, user friendly, fun and informative, you will increase its usefulness. Teachers have very little time to pour through pages of text or to use activities that require lots of time, materials and energy. The study guides should be on one sheet of paper (if necessary, back and forth) and the activities should be easily accomplished within a few minutes or by using readily available school supplies, books and materials. You can always provide in-depth information or expanded activities by including yourself as a resource on your resource list. The goal of a study guide is to enhance the learning experience about your program and your art form for the children and faculty.

The key is simple, user-friendly, fun and informative.




Copyright 2002 Johnette Downing
www.johnettedowning.com