me arts ed

Where do they fit?

Periodically I am asked why creative writing and poetry are not included in the “arts” at the Department of Education. The answer is quite simple… the work at the Department of Education is centered around the Maine Learning Results: Parameters for Essential Instruction. The MLR’s, as they are often referred to, contain 8 content areas: Career and Education Development, English Language Arts, Health Education and Physical Education, Mathematics, Science and Technology, Social Studies, Visual and Performing Arts, and World Languages.

The Maine Learning Results were originally developed by educators over time, and adopted in 1997. They were published in a book with a purple cover. The legislature required they be reviewed and revised, this work took place and was completed in 2007. This set of standards and performance indicators are published online and can be found by clicking here.

Paul B. Janeczko, writer

The Visual and Performing Arts segment is defined with Dance, Music, Theater and Visual Arts. Poetry and Creative Writing are covered in the English Language Arts segment of the MLR’s. I agree that poetry can be a performance art and I have been involved in many conversations around this topic. When I work collaboratively with the Maine Alliance for Arts Education and the Maine Arts Commission Poetry and Creative Writing are included because these organizations include them in their mission.

Let’s face it, all content areas are related and connected somehow… MC Escher couldn’t create his incredible tessellations without an understanding of Geometry. An accompanying document to the MLR’s is something called Cross Content Connection and is located on the same webpage as the MLR’s (link above) and can and should be used as guidance while creating curricula that is connected. I urge you to take a look at the document.

We have many Maine writers and poets who are available for workshops and schools residency’s. To name a few that have been in contact with me:

• Paul B. Janecko: visiting writer for 19 years, K-high school. Has published over 30 award winning poetry books and poetry anthologies for your readers. Also experience teaching teachers and graduate level courses. Presents at national and international conferences for language arts teachers, librarians and literacy coaches. Paul can be reached by email @ poetguy@megalink.net and visit his website paulbjaneczko.com.
• Martin Steingesser: poetry programs for all ages, presented in engaging styles, often with sign language and/or music, sometimes in two voices, always by heart. Maine’s First Poet Laureate, 2007-09. Book of poems “Brothers of Morning”. Martin also performs on stilts and can be reached by email @ windspooning@yahoo.com and visit his website http://www.martinsteingesser.com
• The Telling Room is located in Portland and has ongoing programs for young people and is made up of “professional novelists, poets, journalists, and teachers who believe that every young writer and storyteller deserves to be nurtured…” You can learn more by contacting Gibson Fay-LeBlanc @ gibson@tellingroom.org

Please keep in mind that these are only 3 of the many offerings for poetry and/or creative writing opportunities. Please add other suggestions of writers and poets or your thoughts on this topic.