Archive for June, 2011

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Today’s Google

June 9, 2011

Check out Google today

In memory of Les Paul, guitarist, inventor, and innovator and to honor his 96th birthday, 1915-2009, Google has created an interactive logo. You can play, record, and listen back to your arrangement. And, if you need lessons on how to play the guitar on Google you can go to the Huffpost Tech at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/09/how-to-play-guitar-on-google_n_873895.html and read How To Play Guitar On The Les Paul Google Doodle. Yes, lessons! Yup, Google has introduced a pretty coooooool Doodle. Warning: it can be addictive.

 

Posted in Food for thought, Music | Tagged , | 2 Comments »

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Celebration of Arts Ed. in Augusta

June 9, 2011

A Grand Day!

Tuesday marked a wonderful day. For eight years the Department has had a student art display representing grades PK-12 from many Maine schools. The artwork has been enjoyed by Department staff and visitors.

During this time few students and families have actually seen the display. We know that exhibiting artwork is an important part of the art process and that our Maine Learning Results include Exhibition – Performance Indicator B4. For many months I have been thinking about ways to provide the opportunity for students and parents to actually see the display and how to create a celebration of arts education, not just visual arts. Yesterday the ideas all came together in one grand afternoon!

Mom and daughter view the art

Student artists and musicians from Wiscasset primary, middle and high schools were invited to the Blaine House to be recognized for their accomplishments. Over 100 people attended the reception in the beautiful gardens and watched and listened while 30 students received a certificate, a letter from the First Lady Ann LePage, and a button. The Wiscasset High School Acapella group performed beautifully under the direction of music teacher Molly Winchenbach. State board chair James Banks helped present the awards. Proud Wiscasset art teachers Donna Barnes, Molly Carlson, Sarah Sutter, and Tom Block attended. Tom received the “Golden Paintbrush award” as he retires after 37 years in the classroom.

Carol Trimble, Executive Director from the Maine Alliance for Arts Education, presented the Administrator Advocate Arts award to Stewart Kestenbaum and the Bill Bonyun Artist/Educator award to Susan Webster. They have contributed many years to arts education programs for young people.

Tom Block and students perform at the Department

Student artists, their parents and invited guests moved from the Blaine House to the Department where they went on a guided tour of the exhibit. Music groups performed in the lobby area of the Department where staff and visitors could appreciate the musical selections. It was an arts education afternoon in Augusta!

Posted in Opportunity, VPA, YAHOO | Tagged , , | 3 Comments »

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Bangor Public Library

June 8, 2011

Design by Bangor High School student Hannah Kuhn

Posted in Visual Arts | Tagged , | 1 Comment »

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In Today’s News

June 7, 2011

From Education Week

An Inner City School Fights to Save Its Orchestra picked up by the Associated Press. Photo by Charles Rex Arbogast/AP. Read the entire story by clicking here.

Lafayette Specialty School, Chicago

Posted in Curriculum and Instruction, Music | Leave a Comment »

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Happy Retirement!

June 7, 2011

THANK YOU!

The following arts educators are retiring this year. I appreciate your contributions and years of dedication to educate students in the arts. Congratulations on your retirement!

  • Jay Hoagland, Belfast Area High School, visual arts – 25+ years
  • Sarah Tabor, Bangor High School, visual arts – 28 years
  • Pat Craig, Hampden Academy, visual arts – 34 years
  • Carlene Hirsch, Bangor High School, theater
  • Gail Dufour, East End Elementary Schools, Portland, music – 26.9
  • Mark Nordli, Deering High School, Portland, music – 30.9 years
  • Denis Drobinski, Nathan Clifford School and Portland High School, music – 35.9
  • Judy Mason, Ella Lewis School, Peninsula School, RSU 24, visual arts – 14 years
  • Rush Brown, Sanford High School, visual arts – 21 years
  • Joyce Jack, Bonny Eagle Middle School, music – 37 years
  • Jennie Morrison, Cony, Augusta, visual arts – 35 years
  • Linda Stearns, Songo Locks School, Naples, visual arts – 40 years
  • Tom Block, Wiscasset High School, visual arts – 37 years
  • Linda Stanley, Westbrook High School, visual arts – 37 years
  • Jean Shorey, Canal Elementary School, Westbrook, visual arts – 27 years
  • Martha Michaud, Madawaska, music – 35
  • Kathy Keene, Hall School, Waterville, visual arts – 22 years
  • Brenda Angotti, Millinocket, music – 38 years
  • Iris Fields, Harmony, music – 40 years
  • Patti English, Winthrop, music – 24 years
  • Ginny Hallowell, Troy Howard Middle School, Belfast, visual arts – 26 years
  • Lucille Hussey, Massebesic Middle School, visual arts – 35 years
  • Debbie Chappell, Deer Isle-Stonington Elementary School, visual arts
  • Katherine Snow, Brunswick High School, visual arts – 40+
  • Ronnie Decker, Leavitt High School, Turner, visual arts – 23 years

There may be others retiring that I am not aware of! If you or a colleague of yours is retiring from teaching please let me know. Thank you!

Rush Brown, Sandford High School

Linda Stanley, Westbrook High School

Jean Shorey, Westbrook

Iris Fields, Harmony

Carlene Hirsch, Bangor High School

Tom Block, Wiscasset

Joyce Jack, Bonny Eagle

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What a Weekend!

June 6, 2011

Some days and weekends are filled only with work for me but this weekend was different. Twice a year there is a kids fishing derby on Seven Tree Pond which my husband helps run. I offered to put my kayak in the water and take photos of the kids fishing from the beach. It was great fun and as I paddled and clicked I was overcome by how beautiful it was. Before I knew it my boat was headed for Round Pond which is connected by the narrow part of the St. George River. It was flat with the reflections of the clouds waking my senses. A great blue heron followed me down part of the river and I could see fish jumping not to far from my boat. I wanted to float for hours.

The afternoon found me planting my flower bed and enjoying the breeze that came up to keep the bugs off. I have tried for years to grow lupines and this year they are filling in at the edge of my lawn. YES! I do love them and look forward to them being in full bloom so I can paint them.

Ahhhhh, Youth…

Later on I got a phone call from my younger son who is working as a freshman orientation leader at University of Rhode Island. He has applied to be a “Seasonaire” for Jack Wills clothing and the application required a 1 minute video. You can check it out and click “like” if of course, you like it, which might help him get the internship.  http://www.facebook.com/jackwillsusa?sk=wall His name is Nick Nestor Kleiner.

Towards supper, my older son Noah called from Bar Harbor where he had been rock climbing. He works in Stowe, ME at Summit Achievement, which is a residential treatment center. Part of each week students participate in wilderness expeditions which is part of Noah’s job. The work is intense and is 24-7 for a week straight and the next week off. As he headed back to Summit he stopped in with three friends he had been climbing with and picked up his canoe.

Matt, Sonja, Noah, and Evan

I suggest all of you take some time to look at the clouds, go for a walk, paint your favorite flowers, sit outside and turn on the music, go fishing, have a cook-out, visit with family and friends, and smile at the great weather we are having!

Posted in YAHOO | 4 Comments »

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Learning at all Levels

June 6, 2011

Life-long learning

Alice's students perform

I am so fortunate to be able to meet passionate educators throughout the state who provide arts education opportunities for students in and out of school. And quite often I get to meet students who share their learning with me and their excitement for the arts. Two weeks ago while on the listening tour with Commissioner Bowen I met music teacher Alice St. Clair at the Beatrice Rafferty School in Pleasant Point. Alice has been there since January where the studeBnts at the reservation school have gone without music for 5 years. It was amazing to see and hear her students perform after only 5 short months. Alice also voluntarily serves as the Artistic Director of the Eastport Strings. You can read about an upcoming event they are having that you can attend for contact hours by clicking here.

Lori in her classroom

While traveling from the listening tour in Calais to the MLTI conference in Orono I had a few extra minutes so I stopped at Brewer High School to congratulate art teacher Lori Spruce in person whose 9th grader, Morgan Forrest was a finalist for the Doodle 4 Google contest. Lori shared more good Fnews. School Arts had a contest for Trading Cards which some of her students entered and one, Morgan Littlefield received Honorable Mention. There was a teacher category as well which Lori won first place. Congratulations Lori and to your student!

Lunch after the docent session

Last week I was pleased to visit the Farnsworth Art Museum for a session with the docents. This was my fourth visit with the docents in about 32 years. I was invited by docent Shirley Stenberg and enjoy meeting with the group who are interested in learning more about working with students who visit the museum on field trips. I look forward to seeing the docent handbook that is being created for their use. I understand the summer Lincoln Center Institute International Educator Workshop for teachers will be held for the second year at the museum.

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Development of an Open Digital Textbook

June 5, 2011

RFP announced

Development of an Open Digital Textbook: State of Maine Department of Education Request for Proposals (RFP 201105090)

Title IID Enhancing Education Through Technology – Open Digital Textbook

The State of Maine, Department of Education is seeking proposals for the development of an open digital textbook to support the integration of technology in teaching and learning. The open digital textbook must be comprehensive enough to serve as a content area’s primary subject matter and redefine the traditional textbook for that subject matter at the identified grade level. This resource will leverage available and supported technology, through the Maine Learning Technology Initiative.  In this context, an “open digital textbook” is a collection of digital educational content that is openly available over the Internet. It is licensed to allow duplication and distribution, in addition to modification of the content. It will include the necessary elements for successful implementation at the classroom level including alignment to standards, learning opportunities, instructional guidance, supporting materials, accessibility to all learners, and integration of technology.

For a copy of the detailed Request for Proposal (RFP), interested parties may contact Department of Education, Attn: Abigail Manahan, Burton M. Cross Building, 5th floor, 23 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333, Email:  abigail.manahan@maine.gov The Request for Proposal and application package may also be downloaded at http://www.maine.gov/education/nclb/tiid/index.html

A Bidders Conference is scheduled for Thursday, June 16, 2011 at 1:00 PM via webinar.

Completed Proposal must be delivered no later than 2:00 PM Local Time, July 15, 2011, delivered to the Division of Purchases, Burton Cross Building, 4th Floor, 111 Sewall Street, 9 State House Station, Augusta, ME  04333-0009. Proposals must be labeled with the RFP number and title.

Posted in Curriculum and Instruction, funding source, Opportunity, Technology, VPA | Tagged | 1 Comment »

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Double Tulip(s)

June 4, 2011

Spring marches on

Last year I was given a bunch of flower bulbs that I call “mystery bulbs”. The names were unfamiliar and there were no pictures to give me a clue as to what they might look like. I planted them and forgot about them over the winter. This Spring my beautiful red tulips came as they normally do and about a week later I noticed 5 different types of flower bulbs that resembled tulips. Some had pointy tips at the top of the flower, some were bright yellow, and some were very petite. And then I noticed a flower hidden in a close by small bush that hadn’t gotten it’s leaves yet. At a closer look I noticed that there were two flowers. And still closer I noticed only one stem. How could this be?! I don’t know if this is the type of tulip or a fluke. I have searched online and haven’t learned anything. I wonder if any of you are familiar with this flower? If so, please write and let me know.

The connection with education – we have numerous opportunities to learn more and deeper on any topic then any other time in history due to technology. I can research individually, join an online conversation with others on any topic imaginable, and/or pose questions to experts to learn more.

And, the flowers related to students – each student is unique whose interests often lead them on their journey of life. We, as educators, are in the unique position of guiding their learning. We can recognize them for their uniqueness and nurture them by learning more about them to help them reach their potential.

During my wonderings about this flower in the past few days I decided to take it into the house so I could enjoy it close up and more often, by placing it in the center of my kitchen table. And of course, take a picture of it. And ask you if you’ve ever seen a similar flower and if so, what you might know about this unique beauty.

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Digital Cameras

June 3, 2011

Maine Department of Education cameras for borrow

Elementary art teacher Lisa Workman borrowed the nine digital cameras that I have available and it turned out to be a fabulous learning experience for her 4th and 5th graders at the Southport Central School. In Lisa’s own words here is how she describes it:

Sharing the history of photography and how it influenced the art world was an enlightening benefit the students’ gained from the use of the cameras.  Technically the 4th and 5th graders were quite adept, acknowledging the savvy they had for electronic devices. The excitement the students exhibited was palatable!  To see them laying on their backs or or adjusting their positions for the prime composition or best vantage point was quite rewarding. This class was met with incredible enthusiasm and zest. They learned about history, composition and the divine proportion.

I absolutely loved using cameras when I taught on a daily basis. That was at the beginning of the digital camera rage. Lisa gave me a snapshot of the differences in 6 short years. If you are interested in borrowing the cameras (free) please email me and I can send you the paperwork or you can check out the information at http://www.maine.gov/education/lres/vpa/digicams.html

Photo by Jake

Photo by Jo

Photo by Jo

Posted in Curriculum and Instruction, Visual Arts | Tagged , | Leave a Comment »

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