Arts and humanities provide a vital foundation for understanding human expression, culture, and creativity, enriching students’ academic experiences across all subject areas. The arts & humanities cultivate critical thinking, problem-solving, and inquiry-based learning through creative processes that invite students to explore multiple perspectives and express ideas in imaginative ways. By integrating arts, literature, history, and cultural studies, the arts & humanities broaden students’ intellectual toolkit, deepen engagement, and support the development of well-rounded, empathetic, and innovative thinkers.
American Ancestors: Unlocking Maine's Story is a unique professional development cohort launching this October. Designed to support teachers in using genealogy as a powerful learning experience, participants will work with American Ancestors staff and Maine historians, archivists, and MDOE personnel to develop interdisciplinary programs that blend literacy support, history, and research skills. Contact hours and implementation grants are awarded upon completion. Enrollment is limited; registration is open now.
Maine teachers seeking resources to teach about and recognize the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States are encouraged to explore this curated list of resources developed by the Maine Department of Education to introduce this content accurately and respectfully.
Arts & Humanities Support
Arts and Humanities Instruction and Support
The integration of the arts and humanities into the classroom can take many forms. The resources linked below are exemplars of the kinds of integrated instruction that could be included in K-12 arts and humanities programs.
- Humanities and Civics Virtual Support Hours - Biweekly staff support for Humanities, Social Studies and Civics instructors.
- Dance Education as Social Studies Education - Article sharing ideas for integrated dance and social studies units.
- Teaching the Humanities in a Media Age provides examples and instruction for integrating new media and the classical canon in secondary education.
- Humanities in Class: Participant-Created Teaching Resources from the National Humanities Center provides curated, teacher-developed resources for K-12 educators.
- Maine DOE Civics Page - Civics has been and remains a cornerstone of American public education. Today, perhaps more than ever, a background in civics is essential for every person to engage in their community and our world.
- MOOSE Modules - The links below are ready-to-use modules that are engaging and aligned to the MLRs.
Arts and Humanities Resources
The value of the Arts and Humanities lies not only in their intrinsic worth but also in the promise of accelerating student understanding through the integration of skills and subject matter. These resources provide a rationale for this approach for educators and administrators.
- The Interdisciplinary Turn in the Arts and Humanities - This article describes the rationale for innovation and integration in the Arts and Humanities.
- The Role of Arts and Humanities in a Well-Rounded Education - This slideshow describes the importance of the Arts and Humanities to holistic education.
- The Integration of the Humanities and Arts with Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine in Higher Education: Branches from the Same Tree - An in-depth report of the importance of arts and humanities education to the wider professional community.
- Side X Side - Ignites academic excellence in education through comprehensive arts-based programs, bringing critical thinking, creativity, and innovation into the classroom.
- Maine State Literacy Hub is your go-to space for research, resources, and practical tools to support literacy instruction at every level.
- The American Library Association works to provide equitable access to information.
- The MDOE Financial Literacy page is where you can find resources to support Financial Literacy and Personal Finance education.
- Resources developed by MDOE Teacher Fellows:
- Arts and Humanities - Joshua Chard shares resources and instructional practices to integrate the arts into the classroom.
- Civics - Breanna Bellefontaine-Krupski shares resources and instructional practices to integrate civics in the classroom.
- Financial Literacy - Mark Ashe shares resources and instructional practices to integrate financial literacy in the classroom
- Career Connections - Lisa Knedler shares resources and instructional practices to integrate career-readiness in the classroom.
Professional Learning and Standards
Professional Learning
Opportunities to grow instructional practice.
Visual and Performing Arts and Humanities Standards
Contact
Geoffery Wingard
Interdisciplinary Instruction Specialist
Phone: 207-458-1998
Email: Geoffrey.Wingard@maine.gov