Experience the arts wherever you are

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In partnership with Steer PVD, FirstWorks is creating new ways for the arts to propel learning as Rhode Island schools, teachers and parents work to continue educating students through online, distance learning.

The FirstWorks Education Program specifically links to core curriculum by tethering the arts to traditional academics such as English Language Arts (ELA), Science, Social Studies, and through STEAM and STEM focused learning.

Visit this page to access digital learning resources which include unique video content featuring world class artists. Accompanying activities and assignments are aligned to core curricula standards.

Explore our available lessons below and share your experiences at #firstworksartslearning

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Virtual Learning Mixashawn

Virtual Learning Series

NEW FOR EARTH DAY!
DREAMS, DANCE, DECISIONS with Mixashawn

ELA/Visual Art/SEL lesson for grades 2-6

Through the words and music of Lee “Mixashawn” Rozie, students will engage in arts integration lessons and activities that utilize the concepts of Dreams, Dance, and Decisions to better understand their world and surroundings. An introduction to Indigenous philosophy and practices is highlighted.
Collage image of a silhouette of a woman against a mandala background with a baby in front of her
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Virtual Learning Miwa Matreyek

Virtual Learning Series

NEW FOR EARTH DAY!
VIRTUAL LEARNING WITH ANIMATOR MIWA MATREYEK

Science/ELA/Visual art lesson for grades 5-12

Learn about Greenhouse Effect and Global Temperature Change through hands-on activities. Then, reflect on your discoveries and learn more about the creative process with excerpts from Miwa’s dreamlike multimedia performance, Infinitely Yours.
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Virtual Learning with Cartography

Virtual Learning Series

MAP YOUR JOURNEY WITH CARTOGRAPHY

ELA, Art Music, Social Studies Lesson Gr. 6-12

The co-creators of theater work CARTOGRAPHY invites students to consider important topics around migration. Students will answer these essential questions: “Why do people migrate?” “Why do borders exist?” “How does society affect migration?” “What “maps” do you use in your life?” and “Why do we tell stories?” in this video lesson with accompanying activities.
A group of musicians in African dress playing music together
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Virtual Learning with Oumou Sangaré and Sidy Maiga

Virtual Learning Series

RAISE YOUR VOICE WITH OUMOU SANGARE AND SIDY MAIGA

ELA, Music, Social Justice Lesson Gr. 6-8

Through the music of these Malian musicians, students will explore the essential question: “How can music impact your life?” in this video lesson with accompanying activities.
A bearded man in a turban smiling with his hand raised to emphasize what he is saying
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Virtual Learning with Fidel Nadal

Virtual Learning Series

LATIN REGGAE LEGEND FIDEL NADAL

ELA/Spanish, Music Lesson Gr. 9-12

Through the music of Fidel Nadal, students will work to create songs that reflect our collective journey towards liberation in this video lesson with accompanying activities.
A woman with colorful eye makeup framing her face with her hands
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Virtual Learning with Sofia Viola

Virtual Learning Series

ARGENTINA’S SOFIA VIOLA

ELA, Spanish Language, Music Lesson Gr. 6-8

Take a virtual journey to Buenos Aires, where vocalist Sofía Viola introduces us to the instruments that she uses in her songwriting in this video lesson with accompanying activities.
A group of women wearing white and holding up signs reading what they Rise Up for: Love, Justice, Equality
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Rise Up with Syncopated Ladies

Virtual Learning Series

RISE UP!
WITH SYNCOPATED LADIES

Videos and lessons for grades 1-12

Fierce Footwork. Female Force! Join the founders of Syncopated Ladies, Emmy nominated choreographer Chloe Arnold & Maud Arnold to watch their video “Rise Up,” inspired by Andra Day’s song of the same name. The Ladies were inspired to create a dance that focused on women’s rights and getting all people out to vote.
Man with glasses and a short beard seated on a set of steps
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Virtual Learning with Eric Nathan

Virtual Learning Series

COMPOSER ERIC NATHAN

History/ELA/Vis. Arts/Music Lesson Gr. 9-12

Learn how the Civil War-era correspondence between poet Emily Dickinson and abolitionist Thomas Wentworth Higginson influenced composer Eric Nathan’s music in this video lesson with accompanying activities.
Dancer in grey costume en pointe with arm outstretched
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Virtual Learning Work out with Jillian Davis

Virtual Learning Series

WORK OUT WITH DANCER JILLIAN DAVIS

Phys Ed/Dance/Math/ELA lesson for K-12

Learn how to work out like a professional ballet dancer with Jillian Davis from Complexions Contemporary Ballet
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Virtual Learning eVenti Verticali

Virtual Learning Series

ITALY’S EVENTI VERTICALI

Physics, ELA & Dance lesson for grades 4-12

Explore Newton’s laws of force and motion and watch a stunning Vertical Theater performance performed on an aerial stage high in the air over Providence.
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Virtual Learning Consuelo Sherba Yang Wei

Virtual Learning Series

MUSICIANS CONSUELO SHERBA
AND YANG WEI

Music/ELA lesson & activity for grades 6-12

Discover the intersection of Eastern and Western Music in this lesson with accompanying video featuring violist Consuelo Sherba, Artistic Director of Aurea Ensemble and Yang Wei, a celebrated virtuoso on the pipa, and member of the Silk Road Ensemble with Yo-Yo Ma.