Spotlight: Local Learning @ Vermilionville

Sep 30, 2016

by Paddy Bowman

Even in a region renowned for Cajun and Creole traditions, French language, folk arts from music to weaving, and unique celebrations, most students do not study regional culture or encounter folk artists in their formal schooling. A four-year partnership between Local Learning and the Vermilionville Living History Museum and Folklife Park in Lafayette, Louisiana, has sought to remedy this by providing professional development for teachers; resources for integrating folklife across subject areas, including French immersion; arts-integrated residencies that put both folk artists and teaching artists in classrooms; and connecting educators with local cultural organizations and culture bearers.

Education of young people and the general public is a keystone of the museum’s mission. Inspired by a similar Local Learning partnership with the Acadiana Center for the Arts and Lafayette Parish Schools, the Vermilionville Board and museum education staff reached out to brainstorm about deepening the museum’s relationship with the local school system and improving offerings for the thousands of students from around the state who tour the historic village annually. The result is rewarding.

screen-shot-2016-09-30-at-3-14-34-pmEach year a folklife theme has informed residencies, resources, and training, which includes a summer institute and workshops during the school year. Examples include sense of place, games and play, the seasonal round, and traditional music. University of Louisiana at Lafayette professors in the College of Education assign pre-service students to develop standards-based lesson plans to test at Vermilionville and polish for publication on the museum’s website. Lessons, worksheets, and rubrics from Louisiana Voices are also invaluable. In addition, local scholars, musicians, poets, and media producers contribute to endowing teachers and students with inspiring and practical support.

URLS

Vermilionville film clip:  https://youtu.be/bP1yndger8s

http://www.vermilionville.org/vermilionville/educate/lesson-plans

www.louisianavoices.org