Archive for August, 2012
August 17, 2012
Winter around the corner
I am so glad that the humidity has lifted a bit and that my home is drying out. I was beginning to worry about what the moisture might be damaging. Recently art teacher Kal Elmore forwarded me an email that had these incredible photos of quilt images in the snow that were made by artist Simon Beck! And, I began to think about cooler weather and a smile came across my face because that means snow is not far away. I know some of you (who don’t love the snow) are thinking I am crazy. The fact is that I love all seasons especially when I can spend time outdoors!
I wouldn’t mind visiting the frozen lakes of Savoie, France where Mr. Beck spends days plodding through the snow in raquettes(snowshoes), creating these sensational patterns of snow art. He works 5-9 hours a day, each final piece is typically the size of three soccer fields ! Imagine??!! The geometric forms range in mathematical patterns and shapes that create stunning, sometimes 3D, designs when viewed from higher levels.
Of course the weather impacts the length of time his geometric forms last. This reminds me of the street artist who paint the roads and sidewalks in parts of Europe (especially Italy) with chalk. Beck designs and redesigns the patterns as new snow falls, sometimes unable to finish a piece due to significant overnight accumulations.
Mr. Beck said, ‘The main reason for making them was because I can no longer run properly due to problems with my feet, so plodding about on level snow is the least painful way of getting exercise. Gradually, the reason has become photographing them, and I am considering buying a better camera.”
Anyone interested in a field trip to Savoie?
Posted in Creativity, YAHOO | Tagged France, geometric forms, Savoie, Simon Beck, snow pictures | Leave a Comment »
August 15, 2012
Friend of Arts Education
Photo taken from the New York Times
We are aware of the contributions Mr. Hamlisch made to our world of music, the theater, and film. But did you know in more recent years, Mr. Hamlisch became an ambassador for music, traveling the country and performing and giving talks at schools and that he was critical of the cuts in arts education? We certainly have lost an incredible person!
“I don’t think the American government gets it,” he said during an interview at the Orange County High School of the Arts in Santa Ana, Calif. “I don’t think they understand it’s as important as math and science. It rounds you out as a person. I think it gives you a love of certain things. You don’t have to become the next great composer. It’s just nice to have heard certain things or to have seen certain things. It’s part of being a human being.”
To read the entire story please click here.
Posted in Creativity, Music, Theater | Leave a Comment »
August 13, 2012
Teacher Leaders Meet in Maine and in DC
Interestingly enough on the day after our Maine Arts Assessment Institute finished, a teacher leader conversation was taking place in Washington DC. It was hosted by the US Department of Education and it was called Transforming the Teaching Profession: A Teacher Leader Convening. Over 130 educators attended the event representing about 28 organizations. The educators were asked to identify priorities and develop strategies to move the RESPECT Project vision forward. The RESPECT Project is about envisioning a teacher profession for the 21st century and includes plans for teacher leadership, teacher preparation and other topics that directly relate to the teacher in the classroom. The educators in DC discussed what the USDOE needs to do to move the components of the RESPECT Project forward.
During the last part of the one-day event in DC the small group discussions were shared with the USDOE and White House officials and questions and answers were exchanged. Many times educators get together and walk away from similar events wondering whatever happened to those ideas that were so important at the time of discussion? A teacher asked “what’s next?”
When Secretary of Education Duncan launched the RESPECT Project he noted: “This new vision will not appear overnight… It will proceed in different ways in each state and district. There will be no single formula for success.”
When I read the information on the project and thought about the work we are doing in Maine arts education with the assessment initiative I couldn’t help but have similar thoughts. Each Maine arts educator has been invited to participate in the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative (MAAI). We have 38 who have been named Teacher Leaders in the last two years. Many of you have participated in the workshops offered by the teacher leaders, some at the statewide conference and others at regional levels. Many have participated in the 7 webinars when they took place and others have accessed them and used at teachers meetings. In the near future there will be other opportunities. The bottom line is that the MAAI will proceed in different ways in districts across the state of Maine.
Visual Arts Teacher Leaders Gloria Hewett and Janie Snider at the MAAI summer institute, MECA, August 2012
Posted in assessment, Communication, Professional Development | Tagged arts education, MAAI, Maine, RESPECT Project, Secretary Duncan, teacher leaders, USDOE | Leave a Comment »
August 10, 2012
Reflection
Today marks a week since the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative Summer Institute has ended. Over and over again this week I have marveled at the dedication and commitment of the 34 teacher leaders who spent 4 days at Maine College of Art (MECA) learning about assessment, leadership, technology, and creativity. Since we returned home the communications via email, snail mail, phone, skype, and on the teacher leader wiki have been numerous. Each teacher leader is creating a workshop that they will present at the regional level at least twice. Each of you will have the opportunity to attend those workshops. The dates and times will be determined in the next couple of months so watch for the details on the blog.
I want to publicly thank the teacher leaders for their willingness to share their important work with you. And a great big thank you to the leadership team who worked tirelessly to plan the summer institute! Below is a group photo that was taken just before we left MECA.
Posted in assessment, Communication, Community, Creativity, Curriculum and Instruction, Leadership, Professional Development, VPA, YAHOO | Tagged MAAI, Maine Arts Assessment Initiative summer institute, teacher leaders | Leave a Comment »
August 9, 2012
Presentations, questions, next steps
The last day of the 4-day summer institute gave the teacher leaders from the second phase of the MAAI the opportunity to share their ideas for regional workshops. The opportunity was equally valuable for the leadership team and the first phase teacher leaders to learn from the presentations. The topics varied as much as the 20 teacher leaders do in their learning and teaching.
Part of the afternoon was spent on formative assessment “in action” through MLTIs (Maine Learning Technology Initiative) version of Jeopardy. The game was created by Tim Hart who works for Apple with MLTI and the questions were created by the teacher leaders from the first phase. It was a great fun and an example of how formative assessment doesn’t have to be stressful and serious. The categories matched our work for the week: Assessment, Technology, Leadership, and Creativity.
The day concluded with participants providing feedback including their “takeaways”. I’ve included some of the points so you can get an idea of the opportunity that these teacher leaders had and some of what they will take into their classrooms, schools, and regions.
TAKEAWAYS:
- The creative process is teachable and assessable.
- Lots of awesome arts teachers in Maine.
- The MAAI is growing strong.
- None of us are as smart as all of us.
- Some ideas about sparking creativity.
- There is a broad spectrum of understanding w/regard to standards.
- Ways of creating digital portfolios.
- Different methods that can be used to track progress.
- There are many ways to approach delivery of content.
- New people and what they’re doing.
- Bento (data)
- News: Nationally & State.
- Creative thinking/problem solving.
- SCAMPER
- Where we are with Core and National Standards.
- How to make the computer talk.
- How to engage 30+ people in activities that are fun and they can learn.
- We are all resources and can learn from each other.
- I’ve learned a better understanding of formative vs. summative assessment.
- More techniques for meaningful assessments.
- Numerous resources and where to go for more information on any topic we discussed.
- New Skills – technology, vocabulary.
- New colleagues, friends & collaborators.
- Renewed energy, we can do this.
- Technology info. i.e. – MTLI minutes – note-share, script, sketch-up, etc.
- A ton of resources books, online sites.
- Ideas from discussions w/peers.
- Activities & Assessments I can use w/my students i.e. consensogram, stickies, games.
- Become a strong leader.
- Assessing is important for everyone involved.
- MLTI!!
- There are many colleagues out there, willing to help!
- The arts are Central, not peripheral.
- Assessments can be straight forward & clear, not as scary as first thought!
- Maine Learning.Net
- Connections/Friendships
- More confidence in myself & the Initiative.
- Creativity Research
- A better understanding of Standards-based assessment.
- Data collection tools.
- Quantifying, creative thinking/learning.
- New energy and thinking process.
- Inspirations.
- Respect.
- Using mind maps is very helpful.
- HOW POWERFUL IS PASSION!
- Apply what I’ve learned regarding assessment (Just do it).
- Continue communication and observation of great educational leaders.
- I can do this!
- Other educators have problems similar to mine.
- Arts teachers are really enthusiastic.
- I know more than I thought I did.
- I can use new technology and enjoy it!
Posted in assessment, Communication, Community, Creativity, Curriculum and Instruction, Food for thought, Leadership, Opportunity, Professional Development, Standards Based Education, VPA | Tagged assessment, creativity, leadership, Maine Arts Assessment Initiative summer institiute, MECA, mlti, teacher leaders, technology | Leave a Comment »
August 8, 2012
Leadership and Creativity
On day 3 of the MAAI institute teacher leaders participated in two Leadership sessions and a session on Creativity. Brunswick High School Art teacher Jennie Driscoll facilitated the first leadership session through hands-on experiences that led to identifying the characteristics of leaders. Some of those identified were risk taker, communicator, confident, humility, trust, and compassion.
MAAI leadership team member and Executive Director of the New England Institute for Teacher Education Catherine Ring facilitated the second leadership session where participants took a close look at their role as leaders; in their schools, districts, communities and beyond. They looked at the research and explored questions including How do we work with adults to encourage change?
Leadership team member and Bates College instructor Bronwyn Sale facilitated the Creativity session. Included in the Maine Learning Results: Parameters for Essential Instruction the Visual and Performing Arts include Standard C. Creative-Problem Solving. As arts educators this standard represents creativity, the creative process, creative thinking, and creative problem solving. All of these were examined in this session and should be taught intentionally in the arts classroom.
Teacher leaders continued working on their individual action plans putting together what they were learning during the institute. The plans include their ideas for their regional workshops that they will facilitate throughout the school year. The day ended with a celebration of the good work the teacher leaders are doing at a reception with MECA’s President Don Tuski in the college’s gallery ICA.
Posted in assessment, Community, Creativity, Curriculum and Instruction, Leadership, Opportunity, Professional Development, Standards, VPA, YAHOO | Tagged Bronwyn Sale, Catherine Ring, creativity, Don Tuski, Jennie Driscoll, leadership, MAAI, Maine Arts Assessment Initiative Institute, MECA | Leave a Comment »
August 2, 2012
Moving along
Information continues to be flying! Teacher Leaders have jumped in with both feet. Assessment sessions covering formative and summative assessment, looking at teaching and learning, asking questions, technology sessions looking at tools and how to infuse them into lessons, and leadership sessions considering our roles in and out of the classroom.
Each participant answered the question… What does an ideal arts education for all students look like? Their ideas were combined to create a vision statement. Along with the vision statement all of their ideas were combined in a Wordle and is below. More information on the institute will continue in other blog posts.
Posted in assessment, Communication, Community, Creativity, Curriculum and Instruction, Leadership, VPA | Tagged arts education, MAAI, Maine, Maine arts assessment initiative | Leave a Comment »
August 1, 2012
Underway!
The days are packed very full, starting at 8:30 and finishing at 6:00. Plenty of good Maine College of Art food, chocolate, granola bars, and trail mix are keeping folks energized. The teacher leaders have had conversations about assessment practices, have been introduced to technology tools, and time to apply what they are learning. Each teacher leader is designing a workshop that they will present in their region of the state during the next school year. They spent some time today engaged with their computers and other times interacting and communicating with their colleagues.
Marcia McCaffrey, my colleague from NH DOE, facilitated a session on the Next Generation Core Arts Standards. Gail Kilkelly from Burlington Schools in VT facilitated a session on Common Core and how it connects to the arts.
You can follow the activities as they unfold by going to Twitter and typing in mearts#12.
Posted in assessment, Community, Creativity, Curriculum and Instruction, Leadership, Professional Development, Standards, Standards Based Education, VPA, YAHOO | Leave a Comment »
I am so glad that the humidity has lifted a bit and that my home is drying out. I was beginning to worry about what the moisture might be damaging. Recently art teacher Kal Elmore forwarded me an email that had these incredible photos of quilt images in the snow that were made by artist Simon Beck! And, I began to think about cooler weather and a smile came across my face because that means snow is not far away. I know some of you (who don’t love the snow) are thinking I am crazy. The fact is that I love all seasons especially when I can spend time outdoors!
me arts ed 