Archive for July, 2013

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National Core Arts Standards Feedback

July 8, 2013

Rob Westerberg’s Comments

Thanks to Rob Westerberg, York High School music educator, for writing this blog post.

IMG_5941Why in the world would I bother to take time out of my Summer vacation to review and give feedback to the National Standards draft? It’s July, I’m in the middle of some well deserved “R&R”, if I have any free time it’s with family and friends, and this is the time of year I need to disconnect for awhile from my profession. Can’t this wait and is my feedback really important?

You tell me. We are looking to adopt a formal document in Maine that we will be held accountable to, and it may be the National Core Arts Standards. Do you want to have a voice in what that document looks like? The National Standards draft is an attempt to reflect real life in our real classrooms with our real kids. Does it? I love/abhor/like/hate the current National Standards – and this document WILL be replacing it. Do you have an opinion of the difference between the two? “My opinion is never asked!” It is now. “My opinion is irrelevant!” Not in this case it isn’t. “I don’t know enough to give good feedback!” If you are a teacher, you know MORE than enough to give good feedback. “I’m a High School or post secondary teacher and these are just the K-8 standards so far.” If you know anything, you know that the education that occurs at these grade levels has the greatest impact on our students… and this draft is consistent with the direction you can expect in the 9-12 draft when its released.

In an earlier blog post I suggested that we need to look at the new standards draft through the following criteria:

* can it be effectively be utilized as a powerful advocacy tool, articulating how and why what we do is academic and essential instruction

* does it show how staffing and student face-time must be increased in our schools to meet academic expectations

* does it provide a common starting point for educators within and ACROSS school districts to have meaningful, collaborative discussions around curriculum

* does it provide a common starting point for educators within and ACROSS school districts to have meaningful, collaborative discussions around instruction

* does it provide a common starting point for educators within and ACROSS school districts to have meaningful, collaborative discussions around assessment

* does it direct our K-12 conversations so that every school district in Maine has a continuous program of studies that is sequential both in concept and in practice

*  does it expand our knowledge, discovering new connections, and continually reevaluating – assisting us in our own process of being lifelong learners

Reserve an hour or so this week or next to spend some quality time with the document draft and then take the survey to give your feedback. As I remind my students from time to time, “You’re allowed to be passive in the process, and you’re allowed to have opinions on the product, but you’re not allowed to do both.” From now through July 15th, it is OUR time to impact the process, and the product will be a better one for it if we do.

Please visit the NCCAS website at http://nccas.wikispaces.co/NCCAS+June+30th+Public+Review for detailed instructions and the draft of the PK – 8 visual and performing arts standards.

Posted in assessment, Communication, Community, Curriculum and Instruction, Food for thought, Opportunity, VPA | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments »

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Art and Math

July 7, 2013

Two articles/opportunities on learning integratively

Summer enrichment explores math of basket weaving
Some middle-school students in Alaska are learning about the connections between basket-making and math during a two-week camp funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Alaska Native Education Program. Students in the program apply abstract math concepts, such as perimeter, volume, length and width to the designing and weaving of baskets, bridging the gap between art and math. Similar programs have been taught in North Carolina and California. Juneau Empire (Alaska) (6/27)

Summer enrichment explores math of basket weaving
Some middle-school students in Alaska are learning about the connections between basket-making and math during a two-week camp funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Alaska Native Education Program. Students in the program apply abstract math concepts, such as perimeter, volume, length and width to the designing and weaving of baskets, bridging the gap between art and math. Similar programs have been taught in North Carolina and California. Juneau Empire (Alaska) (6/27)

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

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MLTI Summer PD

July 6, 2013

A message from MLTI…

Screen shot 2013-07-02 at 9.41.42 PMThree days of learning, discovery and planning for a new iteration of MLTI. From July 23rd to the 25th, educators can join colleagues and the MLTI team in a number of three day immersive programs at Bowdoin College in Brunswick. In addition to the Institute cohort programs, there will be a number of one hour informational poster sessions that will serve to enrich and develop participant’s learning, as well as provide a refreshing break. Details of the Summer Institute Cohorts can be found online at http://www.maine.gov/mlti/events/institutes/cohorts.shtml. Please send this link to colleagues and friends, and let them know that registration is open now. The cost of the 3 day institute is listed on the registration page with discounts given to anyone presenting a poster session.  Submit a poster session proposal at http://maine.gov/mlti/events/institutes/proposals.shtml.

Running concurrently to the MLTI Summer Institute are a number of Apple and HP platform specific workshops, aimed at introducing educators to the new MLTI devices. There are 3 hour sessions, 1 day programs and a two day Apple Jump Start workshop to choose from, and the cost of these workshops is free. The details of workshops offered are here: http://www.maine.gov/mlti/events/institutes/sessions.shtml. Again, please pass this link to any people you know will be interested.  These sessions will start July 22nd.

Thanks for your help in spreading the word, we hope to see folks from your district (and yourselves) at Bowdoin later this month.

Posted in Communication, Curriculum and Instruction, Technology | Tagged , | Leave a Comment »

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Jellybeans and Celebrating Life

July 5, 2013

Making memories

I have many memories of special days – July 4th’s, birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas and some only special to me or my family – wedding day, children’s births, my first day of teaching, walking through Zion National Park, Greek Easter in my Dad’s village with my parents, meeting Bill Clinton, leaving on a cross country trip for 3 months with my family, turning 50. I could go on and on, but I won’t. When I think of these events I am instantly there with my senses charged. In Akrata, Greece on Easter I can smell the lamb as it spun around cooking over the smallest pile of charcoal, feel the hand of my Dad dancing in line next to me, hear my mother talking in Greek to my relatives, see the Aegean Sea in the distance, taste the galatoboureko and know I was fortunate to have the opportunity. I can’t help but smile.

Each day we make memories, some become more important than others, some brought on with special occasions, some are a surprise. Some as simple as taking the time to go for a kayak paddle with friends on a beautiful day. Sometimes, without knowing, we are making memories for others that are monumental, like hanging an art exhibit of a student’s work that will thrill (and make them proud) parents, and force a young person to put on nice clothes for photos that just might turn into important memories in the future.

As educators you turn to summer for a break from the hard work of educating kids. Yet, the work of educating ourselves never stops. It is a time to reflect on what we do and how we do it. Whether you do that while taking a trip, scanning the internet, taking a course, or in some other fashion, it happens. We know that learning in a collaborative environment has the potential to jump start learning as it is sparked by another person’s idea or with feedback from another person on your idea(s). I urge you to ask questions and rely on and connect with other educators this summer. I know that some of your professional development will impact your learning and your students and most likely your learning will cause you to pause.

As I wondered what to write for today’s post a dear friend and colleague sent me a link that caused me to pause, and question the moments, hours, days, weeks, months, and years that go by faster and faster. I think about how I spend my time in my formal work and how I spend my time playing.

I think this is the perfect video for today, a day to do what I want, a day that will be joyful with lots of smiles and laughter. I hope your day is filled with fun and making memories. Please take 2 minutes and 45 seconds to watch A Lifetime of Jellybeans – 28,835 jellybeans. I promise it will be worth the time. Click here for the video http://biggeekdad.com/2013/06/a-lifetime-of-jellybeans/

Posted in Food for thought | Tagged | 1 Comment »

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Happy 4th!

July 4, 2013

Proud to be American!

I love to go to the 4th of July parade in Thomaston each year. I have fond memories of my children year after year waiting anxiously by the Post Office for the parade to start. The American flags, military color guards, balloons, bands, floats with young and older people, fire trucks from all the surrounding towns, and people in costume representing days gone by. Afterwards we walk to the chicken barbecue line and watch the workers flipping the grates as we moved closer to the hot chicken and all the fixins’. Even as our sons have grown we continue to go and visit with friends, some we haven’t seen since the last 4th of July.

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I can’t help but stop and pause and smile about my parents 4th of July’s. They were married on the day we celebrate our country and I don’t know anybody more patriotic than my folks. Even at age 90 just before my Dad passed away he was emotional about the symbols of our country. I can picture my Mom with my sister this 4th, at age 95, putting on her red, white, and blue scarf in recognition of the special day.

I love this time of year with fresh strawberries and peas. We managed to get a supper in on the deck this week with fresh salmon cooked on the grill with a salad and fresh peas. I spent some time this week freezing strawberries, making jam, and preparing some to last the week for eating on oatmeal in the mornings. The special treat will be home made ice cream with fresh berries.

Summer in Maine doesn’t last long but it is special! And, a time to stop and pause and remember how fortunate we are to live in a country where life really is wonderful! Happy 4th of July!

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Art – The 1st Language

July 3, 2013

Check out Deb’s blog for advocacy

Westbrook High School art teacher Deb Bickford uses a blog as an instructional tool, a resource site, and a communication hub. Her students like knowing that the information is easily accessible in school and at home. Deb catalogs all kinds of information on the blog so she can refer to it easily.

Recently Deb added information about the National Core Arts Standards which she is using to help others keep up with the information that is coming our way. On June 30 a draft of the PK-8 National Core Arts Standards (NCAS) were released for feedback until July 15. Deb sent the blog link with the NCAS information to her administrators to inform them and invite them to provide feedback.

Check out Deb’s blog by clicking here. If you have questions please email Deb by clicking here. Thank you Deb for sharing this information!

Posted in Communication, Community, Curriculum and Instruction, Food for thought, Technology, Visual Arts | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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Congratulations Suzanne Goulet

July 2, 2013

Art in the Heart recognition

IMG_1320About 15 years ago Dover-Foxcroft art teacher Mary Golub suggested that the Art in the Heart award be presented each year to recognize outstanding contribution of an organization member. Others picked up on the idea and have insured that the award has continued. In a small ceremony a member is honored and recently Suzanne Goulet was recognized! CONGRATULATIONS SUZANNE!

And, today, July 2, is Suzanne’s birthday!

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Posted in Leadership, Visual Arts, YAHOO | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments »

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Maine License Plate

July 1, 2013

The State of the Arts

Maine resident and artist Robert Indiana’s LOVE artwork was selected to be on the Maine arts license plate. You can participate and show your support for the Arts by pre-ordering your “State of the Arts” license plate today!

The Maine Arts Commission (MAC) and Maine Crafts Association (MCA) seek pre-payments to offer a new specialty license plate supporting the arts in Maine.

The specialty plate will serve as a fundraiser for the MCA and will have a direct positive impact on the arts in Maine through the organization’s marketing, business and outreach programming. The Maine Arts Commission will receive a portion of the funds to put toward their statewide arts initiatives.

The MCA seeks 2,000 Mainers, with cars registered in their name, to pre-pay $29 for the specialty plate. Upon reaching that goal the Bureau of Motor Vehicles will release the plate to the 2,000 pre-paid registrants and make the plate available for purchase at all Maine BMV’s.  Please visit www.mainecrafts.org/programs/license-plate to sign-up and pre-pay for your plate.

A seminal figure in the Pop Art movement, Robert Indiana designed the iconic LOVE image, featuring stacked letters and a tilted “O” as a Christmas card for the Museum of Modern Art in 1964. A three dimensional version (sculpture) in COR-TEN steel followed, and received international attention when it was installed in New York City’s Central Park in 1969. The image epitomized the ideals of the 1960s so-called “Love Generation.” The artist never copyrighted his LOVE image, which has become one of the most reproduced and recognizable images in modern history. It was put on an eight-cent stamp by the US Postal Service in 1973, the first of their regular series of LOVE stamps, and holds the record as the best-selling stamp in USPS history (320 million).

To learn more and to order your plate please click here.

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