Professional Development
The National Museum of Play® offers a variety of educational services scheduled at convenient times for pre- and in-service teachers including workshops, support services, and orientation sessions. Call 585-263-2701 x335 for more information.
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Professional development workshops
Teacher workshops are offered by advance registration only. Payments must be received one week prior to the workshop. Registrations not paid one week prior to the workshop are subject to cancellation. All workshops include exploration time in the galleries. To register, please call 585-263-2700. (Workshops with fewer than 10 registrants are subject to cancellation.) Registration fees are only refunded if workshop is canceled.
Children’s Literature Across the Curriculum
Enjoy exclusive access to the amazing Reading Adventureland exhibit where you will expand your knowledge of children’s literature and imagine new possibilities for including it in your curriculum. Participants work together to develop an idea bank to take back to the classroom. Comfortable clothing and a playful spirit are encouraged.
Instructor: Sara Boettrich, Director, School Programs
Tuesday, November 1, 2011, 4–7 p.m.
Cost: $35 per registrant
Play in the Classroom: Using Play to Enhance Skill Development in Your Curriculum
Play is essential for children. Research shows that without time for play in many forms, children suffer deficits later in life. Yet new academic and societal pressures on children and families have led to a dramatic decrease in the amount of time children spend playing. Hear the latest research on play in the school setting and learn strategies for harnessing its power to help your students learn critical curriculum-connected skills.
Instructor: Sara Boettrich, Director, School Programs
Thursday, January 19, 2012, 4–7 p.m.
Cost: $35 per registrant
Math in Action for Teachers: Bringing Real World Math to Life in the Classroom
Put math in action! Using the museum’s exhibits as inspiration, discover math principles at work. Learn how any environment reveals the math behind the scenes. Work with colleagues to generate strategies and ideas for your very own math in action plan for use in your classroom. (This workshop is ideal preparation for bringing students to the Math in Action Theme Day.)
Instructor: Sara Boettrich, Director, School Programs
Wednesday, February 15, 2012, 4–7 p.m.
Cost: $35 per registrant
Superheroes and Child’s Play: Good vs. Evil
Current research advocates play as an integral part of learning. So where does imaginative play with good guys, bad guys, and superheroes fit in? What about rough and tumble play? In this workshop, participants explore the important topic of play as it relates to the development of morals, self-regulation, and social-emotional growth using the American Comic Book Heroes: The Battle of Good vs. Evil exhibit. Participants may personalize the experience to fit their teaching practices. Opportunities to engage in discussions with colleagues are available.
Instructors: Sara Boettrich, Director, School Programs; Debbie McCoy, Director, Early Childhood Programs and Woodbury Preschool
Wednesday, March 14, 2012, 4–7 p.m.
Cost: $35 per registrant
NEW! Nature Play
What are the benefits to children of frequent nature play? Participants will examine research related to nature play and discover ways that it can support social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development. Hands-on experiences include exploration time in the museum's Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden, as well as time studying Rainbow Reef aquarium.
Instructors: Sara Boettrich, Director, School Programs; Debbie McCoy, Director, Early Childhood Programs and Woodbury Preschool
Wednesday, April 18, 2012, 4–7 p.m.
Cost: $35 per registrant
Museum overviews
Pre- and in-service teachers are invited to learn how to tap into the museum’s many educational resources. Visit exhibits and hear about school experiences available in each one. Come and examine opportunities that will help you satisfy New York State Learning Standards. Learn how to plan a museum trip and make the most of pre- and post-visit activities. Individuals and groups welcome. Please call 585-263-2700 to reserve your time. Museum overviews are free of charge to pre- and in-service teachers.
School outreach
Museum educators can attend staff meetings at your school to help you connect your curriculum to our experiences. Staff will show you how the museum meets New York State Learning Standards and demonstrate how we accommodate a variety of learning preferences. For information and appointments, please call 585-263-2700 x335.
The Grada Hopeman Gelser Library
The National Museum of Play is one of only a handful of museums in the nation to have a special public library partnership. Our child-focused library is a mini-branch of the Rochester Public Library. Teachers and students who have Monroe County Library cards are welcome to check out books for classroom use and return them to any public library branch in the system.
