Program Courses
CECA's Fall 2011 Curriculum
Rock n’ Roll
Instructor: Suzanne Artis
This music class will work towards the creation of an all inclusive band, covering songs from the 1950’s to the present. Musicians will focus on interpreting a set repertoire of popular songs and arranging songs to fit their own musical stylings by adjusting tempo, pitch, and lyrics to make the songs their own. Rock n’Roll is meant to create a very independent environment in music making, using adaptive devices when necessary, and adjusting pitches of instruments to allow for full improvisation while staying within the key of the songs
Sing a Song
Instructor: Suzanne Artis
Sing a Song is geared towards further development of functional and expressive communication. This class uses music as a tool to enhance language development such as Pre-articulation and Word Attack. However, this class is not only meant for verbal musicians; adaptive communication such as American Sign Language will also be used in the song singing process.
Radio Drama and Other Sounds
Instructors: Suzanne Artis & Rea Ramos
In this class, students are invited to an open arena of sound. The basis of this class will be to produce their own radio drama meant for airing, via podcast internet streaming. Students will listen to radio dramas and learn the different layers and dynamics that go into creating this auditory visual. Every student’s sound will be utilized to help mold the narrative of the story. Students will be invited to use instruments, objects, and their bodies in order to create the various layers of sounds.
Exhibits
Instructors: Rea Ramos & Suzanne Artis
Gallery exhibits are a key element in developing an artist’s professional career. ASD recognizes this and uses gallery exhibits as a platform for propelling our artists’ careers and providing them creative vocational opportunities. Exhibits will focus on creating gallery oriented pieces for submission to the multiple “Call for Entries” we receive each semester. Artists will use adaptive devices when necessary to truly nurture an independent art-making environment. Every project is individually tailored based on each artist's preference and movements and on which mediums will best highlight their style of work.
Nature in Art
Instructor: Stephanie Escobar
Art is all around us in our every day. It is in our environment and our surroundings. Nature in Art uses this sentiment as its core. Artists utilize the environment as its medium; using natural items as part of its art-making process. Artists engage in very sensory and tactile processes such as using berries to dye fabric and create designs. This class works in conjunction with the Garden Care class, in order to fully employ nature and engage students in all processes from growing the items that will be used for future artworks to actual creation of work.
Garden Care
Instructor: Stephanie Escobar
Just like the course title says, students will be responsible for caring for CECA's onsite garden. Gardeners will work on gross motor skills and movement such as Range of Motion and Flexibility, as garden care is used as a tool to widen the students reach, literally. This class will plant, water, and prune the outdoor garden, as well as grow indoor plants. These plants will help supply the materials for the Nature in Art class as well as work on their own sculptural based artworks, in the fashion of garden sculptures.
Dramatic Effect
Instructor: Stephanie Escobar
Dramatic Effect is a multi-disciplinary class that focuses on working towards an original production put on by CECA’s students. They will be responsible for every aspect of the production from creating props to rehearsals. Students will learn the importance of setting the tone of the production using visual elements as mood creators, for added dramatic effect.
Healthy Living
Instructor: Iona Crofton
Staying healthy is an essential part of our well-being and longevity. Students will learn the importance of a healthy nutrition while learning proper social dining etiquette. Students will work on daily living skills in the social setting of a dinner party. Healthy Living will culminate in an outing to a local restaurant in which the students will be given the opportunity to use the skills they have learned in class out in the community.
Community Awareness
Instructor: Iona Crofton
This is another class aimed at learning daily living skills, especially regarding safety while out in the community. Students will cover the basics of remaining safe as they navigate the neighborhood. The goal of this class is to allow for students to familiarize themselves with the neighborhood of Hawthorne through walks or small outings to local organizations and shops.
Social Engagements
Because CECA is so close to EPI, another ASD Center, students are able to occasionally walk over to visit and socialize with peers at various events. Each summer, an Ice Cream Social takes place giving all the students at CECA and EPI an opportunity to make music, create art and enjoy each others’ company. The day full of creative activities culminates in an ice cream party for all who attended. Similarly, when the holidays roll around, students have the opportunity to visit peers for a Thanksgiving Feast with all the trimmings. These social engagements allow all of the students to break from their daily routine and explore what their peers are doing around the block. This allows for growth as members of the ASD community and provides an awareness of the people and places that exist outside of their everyday experiences.
