From reading stories in online PDFs to analyzing mathematical formulas through a teacher’s shared screen, Choate students have made a number of changes to adjust to remote learning for most of their classes. Traditional, hands-on art classes, such as ceramics and filmmaking, have proven harder to convert to online platforms. By heavily revising existing courses and creating completely new curriculums, the Arts Department has tackled the many difficulties that have risen from trying to mesh traditional art with digital learning.
Drawing, Oil Painting, Ceramics — Unfortunately, all drawing, painting, and ceramics courses have been cancelled. Visual arts teachers Mr. Aaron Sober and Ms. Jessica Cuni are collaborating to form a new art course this term to replace the cancelled classes called “Experimenting in Creative Living.”
Dance — Originally a daily afternoon activity, technique classes have been reduced to a weekly Saturday Series. Previously, the class offerings were modern dance, jazz/ballroom, west African, and ballet pilates; currently, only pilates, Movement for Everyone, jazz, and ballet are taught.
Music Classes & Ensembles — Music courses have also been disrupted with the transition to a virtual setting. Music Theory teacher Mr. Matt McLean has adjusted the final composition assignment to be performed via electronic format in place of the usual traditional recital, which would have included hired professionals playing the students’ work.
Mr. McLean has also created a new curriculum for musical ensembles. Musicians who have access to their instrument have been tasked with recording themselves. However, members without their instruments are completing musical composition assignments. According to Mr. McLean, there are hopes of putting together a musical performance via video near the end of the term.
For chorus, Mr. Charles Evans plans on utilizing this time to work on improving musicianship skills among the singers. He also wishes to gather the group to prepare a video for the community.
Acting — Acting teachers Ms. Tracy Ginder-Delventhal, Ms. Deighna DeRiu, and Technical Director Mr. Mark Gostomski are working to convert the traditional syllabus to a remote learning agenda. Without the black-box theater, the acting teachers have shifted their overall focus toward skills of design and developing and drafting plays, which are still intrinsic to the acting courses and easier to convert onto an online platform.
Nature Photography & Filmmaking — Ms. Cuni is continuing to offer the Nature Photography course for the Environmental Immersion Program (EIP) students, which aligns with their current studies in their EIP classes. Filmmaking teacher Ms. Smita Sen has revised the course syllabus with feedback from student surveys and is continuing to teach the class this term.
Jewelry-making, Metalworks — Another major modification was done to metals/jewelry courses taught by Ms. Catherine Adams. While not completely cancelled, the courses will place a heavier emphasis on the cultural connections behind jewelry and body adornments and their historical ties to status, faith, location, and family this term.
