Archive for October, 2013

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Van Gogh Out of the Woodwork

October 20, 2013

Out of site for years

Screen shot 2013-10-13 at 5.34.08 PMImagine wondering about paintings, if they are real or fake. For years a Van Gogh titled “Sunset at Montmajour” was considered a fake. Now, that it has been determined to be an original and created during Van Gogh’s prolific period it is worth a figure that isn’t really stated. You can read the article about the finding from The New York Times, Art & Design section. from September 9, written by Nina Siegal by clicking here http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/10/arts/design/new-van-gogh-painting-discovered-in-amsterdam.html?hp=&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1378727781-Sqe6pn9sUo6F277LHOTW/A&_r=0

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Learning Creative Learning

October 19, 2013

Creative Learning Experiences

This information has been in draft form in a blog post for some time. When I reviewed it recently I realized it is information that many of the meartsed blog readers might be interested in. I am not sure where the status of the course is at presently but perhaps you can check it out and let our readers know. It might be incredibly useful with the draft of the National Core Arts Standards including Media Arts as a separate discipline.

MIT has a Media Lab that has been established for quite some time. The courses in the past has been limited to students on campus in Cambridge. Now the course is opened to others utilizing technology for online coursework. Learn more about Learning Creative Learning at http://learn.media.mit.edu/

Posted in Communication, Community, Creativity, VPA | Tagged | Leave a Comment »

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NCAS Feedback

October 18, 2013

Window of opportunity!

Screen shot 2013-09-30 at 6.31.39 AMI was a little surprised to learn yesterday that very few people from Maine have contributed feedback on the high school draft of the National Core Arts Standards. Fortunately, it is not to late. You have until Monday, October 21 to provide your feedback on the National Core Arts Standards. Yes, your window of opportunity is coming to a close. Don’t miss this chance to read the high school draft and respond to what you think, what questions you have, and your general feedback. It is not everyday that you are asked to think deeply about standards that are being developed.

Please represent Maine and participate in the public review by going to http://nccas.wikispaces.com and click on the links to the review surveys. The surveys include the 5 disciplines; music, theatre, visual arts, dance, and media arts. You can respond to one or more than one.

Lynn Tuttle

Lynn Tuttle

This is good timing for Maine since Lynn Tuttle, Director of Arts Education from Arizona Department of Education, is presenting at the statewide conference Arts Education: Leading the Way next Thursday, October 24. She will provide a presentation at the opening session and a follow-up session where you can learn more about the draft document. Lynn has been working as a leader in the National Coalition for Core Arts Standards so this is a unique opportunity for Maine arts educators.

There is still time to register for the Arts Education conference but PLEASE don’t delay since some of the workshops have reached capacity. More information on the conference, Lynn’s presentation, and registration details can be found at https://mainearts.maine.gov/Pages/Media-and-Performing/Conference-Education.

If you have questions please don’t hesitate to email me at argy.nestor@maine.gov.

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Connections to Music Training

October 17, 2013

Phenomenon

There are studies linking music to academic achievement but in this New York Times article written by Joanne Lipman called Is Music the Key to Success? published October 12, 2013, she makes the case for the correlation between serious music training and and success in other fields. We talk about how the arts prepare students with 21st century skills; collaboration, problem solving, the ability to listen and focus. Lipman claims that it is a way of thinking and these similarities are found in people like Alan Greespan who trainined as a professional clarinet and saxophone player and billionaire Bruce Kovner and Condoleezza Rice who served as the Secretary of State.

The article includes statements supporting the power of music training by multiple successful individuals. A quote by NBC chief White House correspondent Chuck Todd (French horn) who attended college on music scholarships:

Mr. Todd says there is a connection between years of practice and competition and what he calls the “drive for perfection.” The veteran advertising executive Steve Hayden credits his background as a cellist for his most famous work, the Apple “1984” commercial depicting rebellion against a dictator. “I was thinking of Stravinsky when I came up with that idea,” he says. He adds that his cello performance background helps him work collaboratively: “Ensemble playing trains you, quite literally, to play well with others, to know when to solo and when to follow.”

To read the entire article please click here http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/13/opinion/sunday/is-music-the-key-to-success.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1&.

Posted in Creativity, Music, Research | Tagged , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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Google Garage

October 16, 2013

Googlers in Action

Screen shot 2013-10-13 at 5.24.22 PMGoogle has created a “garage”. The garage brings different people together and provides a space to learn, create, and make. They asked the question: How can we at Google bring together hackers, makers, planners and all facets of the company (legal, designers, engineers, sales, etc.) in a design space? The space is used by a variety of Googlers and brings people together from across the company.  All kinds of tools are in the garage to encourage all the company workers to think creativity.

Accidentally, the space was crammed with people, elbow to elbow, and it made it so Googlers had to collaborate. The space makes time for people to work on ideas.

They know that the environment influences human behavior so they’ve created a space with all kinds of tools and have created the exact environment to achieve greatness.

Check out the video on Fast Company that provides more info on the Garage by clicking here http://www.fastcompany.com/3017509/work-smart/look-inside-google-garage-the-collaborative-workspace-that-thrives-on-crazy-creat

Who wouldn’t want to work at Google knowing that you’d be encouraged to collaborate?! Imagine!

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MDOE VPA Position

October 15, 2013

Visual and Performing Arts Specialist position, Maine Department of Education

The information below is the posting for the job at the Department that was mine until I left in September to go to the Maine Arts Commission. Since below is small, here is the information if you are interested in applying:

Submit a cover letter, resume and Direct Hire Application. This job posting and a Direct Hire application can be found at http://www.maine.gov/fps/opportunities/. PLEASE NOTE: The DEADLINE is OCTOBER 25, 2013.

 

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Statewide Arts Ed Conference

October 14, 2013

Still time to register

There is still time to register for the biennial statewide arts education conference Arts Education: Leading the Way being held at UMaine, Orono, October 24, 2013. This is a great opportunity for you to learn what your colleagues from throughout Maine are doing in their standards-based arts classrooms.

Happening on Friday, October 25 and Saturday, October 26 is the Maine International Conference (MICA) on the Arts at the same location. Information for the MICA conference is located at https://mainearts.maine.gov/Pages/Media-and-Performing/MICA-LANDING.

The entire 3-day event is going to be chock full of great sessions, showcasing artists, and information! If you have questions please contact me at argy.nestor@maine.gov. Any questions specific to the MICA conference please contact Kerstin Gilg at kerstin.gilg@maine.gov.

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Posted in assessment, Communication, Community, Curriculum and Instruction, Leadership, Professional Development, VPA | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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Museum Visit: Benefits to Students

October 13, 2013

Research

Researchers set out to learn if visiting a museum impacted students learning. The research revealed that museum visits are worthwhile.

“Those outcomes include improvements in students’ knowledge of and ability to think critically about art, a stronger display of “historical empathy,” greater tolerance for differing views, and interest in repeating the experience of attending such a cultural institution, according to the study by researchers at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.” 

You can read the blog post that includes a link to the findings, at the Curriculum Matters blog, post written by Erik Robelen on September 16, 2013 and can be found at http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/curriculum/2013/09/field_trip_to_art_museum_offer.html?cmp=ENL-CM-NEWS2.

Posted in Food for thought, Research, Visual Arts | Tagged | Leave a Comment »

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Expanded School Day

October 12, 2013

Webinar…

Webinar presented by Americans for the Arts and the National Center on Time & Learning
Friday, October 18, 2013 @ 3 – 4 PM EST

Advancing Arts Education through an Expanded School Day: Lessons from Five Schools, presents case studies of five schools utilizing the longer student and teacher days to prioritize time for arts education as they work to improve overall academic instruction and focus on individual student achievement.

Join our panelists to learn more about the report, an overview of the work happening in these five schools, a closer look at the results at Edwards Middle School, and a discussion of how your community can implement the lessons learned from schools using an expanded day.

Moderator: Kristen Engebretsen, Arts Education Program Manager, Americans for the Arts
Panelists:
David Farbman, Senior Researcher, National Center on Time & Learning  and co-author of Advancing Arts Education through an Expanded School Day
Stephanie Edmeade  – ‎Director of Expanded Learning Time at the Clarence Edwards Middle School in Charlestown, MA
Sherman Cowan, Teacher at the Clarence Edwards Middle School in Charlestown, MA

Participation in the live webinar is free and open to the public, but you need to register here:
http://eo2.commpartners.com/users/afta/session.php?id=11850

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Cross Discipline Literacy Network

October 10, 2013

Online and face to face opportunities

Pam Ouellette (Lisbon High School), Suzanne Goulet (Waterville Sr. High School) and Lisa Gilman (Winthrop Middle School) continue to be a part of presenting collaborative professional development regarding literacy.

Screen shot 2013-10-09 at 10.27.21 PMVocabulary Instruction – grades 6-12 (Lisa G.)

Webinar 1: December 9, 3:00 – 4:00pm

Big and Practical Ideas About Academic Vocabulary in the Classroom

Description: How do we motivate students to see new meaning in words? When they learn the word “composition” in art, can they then transfer it to a social studies term when speaking about the composition of a community? What does it mean to write a musical composition, and how does that differ from composing an essay… or how are they the same? This webinar will provide an overview of ideas about how a teacher can go about selecting and assessing student vocabulary through five big ideas: Intentionality, Transparency, Usability, Personalization and Prioritization. The first webinar will highlight ideas on how to make vocabulary instruction intentional and transparent and offer strategies that can be used immediately in your own classrooms. Be ready to share your ideas, too.

Webinar 2: January 13, 4:30 – 5:30pm

More Practical Ideas about Academic Vocabulary in the Classroom

Description: This webinar will review the five big ideas of vocabulary instruction and delve into strategies for making vocabulary instruction usable, personal and a priority. Suggestions for implementation will be presented by three teachers of different subject areas and grade levels. Cross-curricular as well as subject-specific vocabulary strategies, will be explored. The teachers will share their experiences with concrete examples from their own classrooms. Again, be ready to share your ideas and experiences, too.

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Posted in Curriculum and Instruction, Opportunity, Professional Development, Visual Arts, VPA | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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