MOT Learns at Home
Michigan Opera Theatre (MOT) is proud to share "MOT Learns at Home," a new initiative for teachers, parents, and students which connects the arts with at-home learning!
Each Friday there will be a new lesson designed to guide your students into the worlds of H.M.S. Pinafore and The Very Last Green Thing, while also connecting to Science and English Language Arts curriculum.
By downloading these lessons, these google forms may be added to the learning platform of your choice or shared directly with your students.
Check out the Unit Plan for a preview of learning objectives conveniently written in "I can" statements, lesson activities, and extensions!
LESSON: The Very Last Green Thing
Michigan Opera Theatre Children’s Chorus presented the opera world’s first virtual children’s opera in April of 2020! Click Here to watch a very special “encore” performance of The Very Last Green Thing, just in time for Earth Day. Teachers and parents can further explore the opera’s themes through lesson plans and activities designed specifically for distance learning.

LESSON : Welcome to Ballet (Grades 9-12)
In this unit, high school students will explore the history of ballet, learn about ballets that are still being performed today, and see ballet has evolved over time. These six lessons will give young dancers the opportunity to explore, reflect, create, develop, and perform their own work.

LESSON: What is Opera? (Grades 3-5)
The eight lessons in this unit are designed to give elementary-aged students a broad introduction to and understanding of opera, with emphasis on the many people who help to bring opera to life, from composer to conductor to singers!
LESSON: What is Opera? (Grades 6-8)
This unit gives middle school students the chance to develop new and personal understandings of opera, with emphasis on opera as a storytelling medium with a "role" for everyone.
MICHIGAN OPERA THEATRE’S DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
The Department of Education and Community Programs has brought its varied musical programs to every age group in Michigan for nearly 40 years. Artists visit schools, community centers, and stages throughout Michigan, performing shows that range from lively children’s operas to musical revues. Founded by Karen V. DiChiera, the Department of Education and Community Programs serves the entire state with quality entertainment and education.
Since its inception, the Department of Education and Community Programs has been honored with awards and recognitions including the Governor’s Arts Award, a Spirit of Detroit Award, and multiple Philo T. Farnsworth Awards for Excellence in Community Programming, among others. Touring productions, concerts, workshops, and residencies have reached many thousands of people throughout the state of Michigan, and programs have extended as far as Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, and Canada. With an ever-growing repertoire of productions, an exciting roster of up-and-coming singers, and a circle of experienced and passionate teaching artists, the Department of Education and Community Programs continues to provide people of all ages with opportunities for access, growth, and learning through the arts.
MICHIGAN OPERA THEATRE CHILDREN'S CHORUS
The mission of the Michigan Opera Theatre Children’s Chorus is to provide exceptional choral music and theatrical performance instruction in a professional environment to young people. This instruction will foster their creativity, personal expression and social growth. Offering a curriculum that embraces diverse cultures and traditions and a rich and extensive range of musical genres, the program will seek to instill personal and artistic excellence in its students. In keeping with its role as a major cultural resource to the entire community, Michigan Opera Theatre will offer these unique learning opportunities to a diverse group of students from varied economic, cultural and social backgrounds.