Wonderful Animation
Not only is this a wonderful animation but a terrific story as well. You can watch the youtube video and see a video on how the artist created it. You may want to share this example with your students. It will work for all ages.
Archive for December, 2016
MSAD #33 Dance Residency
December 12, 2016Wisdom Middle/High School and Dr. Levesque Elementary School
Students practicing their dance
A week long dance education opportunity last week culminated on Friday evening with a performance at the Wisdom Middle/High School. The Winter Arts Evening included dance, music and visual art and was absolutely wonderful. With standing room only the school was filled with excited and proud parents, siblings, school staff members and other community members! The students outstanding performance brought smiles and some tears to their faces.
It was an amazing week for the students in MSAD #33 at the Wisdom Middle/High School and the Dr. Levesque Elementary Schools. All students had the opportunity to work with dance teaching artist John Morris thanks to funding provided by a benefit performance that took place in November 2015 at the Thornton Academy in Saco. Dance educator Emma Campbell coordinated the effort along with 9 other dance programs.
John working with kindergarten class
The grant was written by Theresa Cerceo, art teacher from MSAD #33 and John Morris. The dance unit connected with visual art, music, and dance and took place as part of the art and music curriculum. Charles Michaud is the district music teacher who participated as well. Students learned about the similarities and differences of the 3 arts disciplines. Students made art, music, and writings and responded to it through dance.
I was fortunate to be able to be in the County for part of the week and was thrilled to have the chance to see the work up close. The impact on students was enormous.
Theresa and Charles
There will be a series of blog posts in the near future so you can learn more about the success in MSAD #33. Thanks to another generous donation from a dance performance at Thornton Academy in November 2016, the Maine Arts Commission will be offering another dance education grant for Maine schools/districts to apply for. Watch the blog this Winter for the posts and the announcement about the grant coming in early Spring.
One of the dances created and performed was depicting senior Jasmine M. DeMoranville’s poem.
Art
Pencil to paer
Brush to board
Glare at the table
Find the word
Something’s wrong
The paper’s off
The board is breaking
In your head there’s a gong
What is it that’s wrong?
Think again
A thought is forming
Words are swarming
Something’s off
The paper’s warning
Eyes are straining
Brain is whirring
Thoughts are becoming broken
Fingers twitch to find a token
What is wrong?
Disavow
Break through
Broken voice
Say thank you
Tone is flat
Face is hard to look at
Once distracted
Fall to the wrong format
The alley is dark
Nothing is visible
Plain as bark
See it flicker
Was that a spark?
The world is screaming
Ears are bleeding
Something wrong
Think through the noise.
The thought is sudden
Stunned and broken
But it’s there
The screaming is louder
Distracting
Attention pulling
Words are clear and blurry
Think harder
Think deeper
Answers drip from mind to tongue
Still unclear
Find the words
It drifts away
Grab it!
Color
Emotion
Shadow
Noise stops
Clarity settles
Words settle on fingertips
Art
A whisper on the breeze
I need it
Side X Side
December 11, 2016Portland arts program
Side X Side is an educational nonprofit with a mission to promote engaged learning, critical thinking, problem solving and exploration while enhancing K-12 content curriculum through innovative, collaborative, creative, multi-disciplinary programming.
About
Side x Side puts curiosity & engagement back into learning through innovative educational programming that cultivates creativity and collaboration.
Company Overview
Side x Side was created to provide educators, college interns, and K-12 students with a distinctive, creative framework to facilitate interdisciplinary, engaged learning through a multi-dimentional, platform. Within our programming, we cultivate intergenerational partnerships and professional relationships while activating long term collaborations between educators, students, visiting experts, and artists.
General Information
Imagine a classroom buzzing with excited students learning from a marine biologist about oceans, plankton, and the life cycle of an osprey. Picture students conducting scientific research, then building an interactive, 3-d installation of a living ocean with the expertise of a local sculptor. Visualize meaningful collaborations between classroom teachers, teaching artists, professional experts, and university interns. Now envision an entire school “a buzz”, where students are animated, engaged in hands-on learning, skilled at critical thinking, and exploring and developing the competencies necessary to thrive in the 21st century. This is the vision of SideXSide!
Awards
• U. S. Department of Education Arts in Education Model Development and Dissemination Grant, 2014
• The Portland Education Foundation in partnership with Reiche Community School
• Donors Choose in conjunction with Mrs. Fox and the second grade team at Reiche Community School
• Portland Public Schools Envirologix STEM grant in conjunction with Mrs. Fox and the second grade team at Reiche Community School
Side x Side Professional Development
Side x Side’s Arts Institute develops comprehensive professional development programs for elementary school teachers. Through continuous professional development opportunities, Side x Side empowers teachers and cultivates a meaningful understanding of the impact of arts integration and its application in the classroom.
Side x Side’s professional development programs are designed with both art and classroom teachers to include relevant pedagogy, content and standards. This collaboration demonstrates how well-designed arts projects can form the basis of an interdisciplinary instructional approach that incorporates contemporary learning standards into all academic subject areas.
Side x Side’s professional development strives to:
Provide classroom teachers instruction in and exposure to various art forms applicable to their teaching and curriculum design in order to meet the needs of all students.
Help redefine how students access, engage with and demonstrate their knowledge of the curriculum.
Support relationships that help foster sustainable community-based education practices through the placement of teaching artists and content experts in k-12 classrooms.
Side x Side offered a Summer Arts Institute in June 2015, its first professional development conference for elementary school teachers and also held school-specific workshops in October last year.
For more information contact: info@sidexside.com or visit the “For Teachers” page. Side X Side is located at 636 Congress St., Portland.
In Today’s News
December 10, 2016USM music
The University of Southern Maine got an early Christmas present Friday – a $600,000 surprise donation to the university’s School of Music.
A representative of the Falmouth-based Bob Crewe Foundation showed up Friday night at the President’s Scholarship Gala, at the Westin Portland Harborview Hotel, and sprung the donation on the 300 guests there, according to a news release Monday from USM.
Read the entire story from the Portland Press Herald by CLICKING HERE.
Animated Paper Wildlife
December 9, 2016National Geographic
Check out this great short film of paper animated animals by CLICKING HERE. Read below for some information on the macromessage of wildlife conservation. Definitely consider sharing this with your students. (There may be a short ad before the video starts).
Paper predators and prey spring to life in this visually stunning short from directors Dávid Ringeisen & László Ruska. An ordinary desk and typical office supplies are the backdrop for this micro-universe that carries the macromessage of wildlife conservation. While humans are left out of the piece, their impact is still present in a discarded cigarette butt that sparks an imaginary forest fire and an overflowing wastebasket that pollutes a fantastical rolling-chair river. This piece is part of the filmmakers’ MOME thesis project, the animation department at Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design in Budapest, Hungary and was created for WWF Hungary.
The Short Film Showcase spotlights exceptional short videos created by filmmakers from around the web and selected by National Geographic editors. We look for work that affirms National Geographic’s belief in the power of science, exploration, and storytelling to change the world. The filmmakers created the content presented, and the opinions expressed are their own, not those of National Geographic Partners.
In Today’s News
December 8, 2016Crankie
Brendan Taaffe visiting schools and performing with hand scrolled crankie to tell his story in the mid-coast. Read the article by CLICKING HERE.
Responsibility
“I remember one of my first weeks at Google, riding home on the subway, and realizing that every single person was looking at their mobile device, and what a cultural responsibility we had to make those experiences great.” — Rob Giampietro, creative lead of Google Design
Rob has a passion for interactive design and understands the power of “interdisciplinary colleagues”. He works to find a balance in technology and the creative process. This article exemplifies and may clarify why the importance of thinking globally about learning and creativity. Rob is part of the first generation of digital natives. I found it interesting to read about how he approaches work and the work he is doing.
CLICK HERE to read the entire article written by Sarah Burford for the National Endowment for the Arts Magazine. Please consider sharing the article with your students – could be very inspirational and open up possibilities!
Mega Regional Conference UMaine Orono
December 7, 2016Maine Arts Leadership Initiative (MALI)
The Maine Arts Commission is happy to announce that registration is now open for the MALI Mega at UMaine Orono and you’re invited to look at the fantastic sessions planned and to register for Thursday, February 2. The sessions and descriptions are included below and registration is available by CLICKING HERE.
Dates and Locations
There are six Megas offered this year, at this time registration is available for those underlined.
- Monday, November 21, 2016 Ellsworth High School – Great conference!
- Wednesday, January 4, 2017 USM, Portland – Registration is open!
- Thursday, February 2, 2017 UMaine, Orono – Registration is open!
- Friday, March 17, 2017 Hebron Station School, Hebron (Oxford Hills) – Registration coming soon
- Wednesday, March 22, 2017 Easton Schools, Aroostook County – More info coming
- Wednesday, April 26, 2017 UMaine, Orono – Theatre conference, registration open! Free!
The cost to attend each Mega is $25 (unless otherwise indicated). Contact hours for full participation – 5.5 contact hours. The Megas provide multiple opportunities for the Maine Arts education community to engage in professional development specific to come together to deepen our knowledge, make connections, and learn from each other!
SESSIONS MEGA UMaine Orono
SESSION I
SLAM! Nurturing Student Leadership through Arts Advocacy
We will share and discuss the benefits of student leadership and creating interdependent advocacy communities. All grade levels. All content.
Theresa Cerceo Wisdom Middle/High School K-12 Visual Art
Networking within Local School Administrations to Increase Art Programming
Discussion and presentation of effective methods of empowering school administrators to commit to, and realize, increases in support for school art curricula and funding. All grade levels. All content.
Tim Christensen Teaching Artist Visual Art
Easy Jazz Improvisation Teaching Techniques for Nervous Beginners
Participants will learn simple frameworks for teaching jazz improvisation skills that work with nervous players, and beginner improvisers. Grades 7-12
Trevor Marcho Mattanawcook Academy Music
“Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story?”
Story is one of our most essential art forms – and also one of our most neglected crafts. Telling your story can take multiple forms and at the end of the day is as much about listening as communicating out. In this session we will play with crafting elevator speeches that keep rising as the building grows taller every year; ways to integrate data into the elevator. All grade levels. All content.
Linda Nelson Maine Arts Commission Assistant Director
Arts Integration
When you are deeply engaged in Arts Integration you realize it is about learning with your mind, body and heart in the present moment. This hands on workshop explores this idea through drama, music, movement, poetry, storytelling, and the visual arts. Come prepared to experience arts integration through your own individual lens in a safe environment. All grade levels. All content.
Lindsay Pinchbeck Director Sweet Tree Arts / Sweetland School
SESSION II
Teaching Hamilton in the Classroom
How to teach Hamilton in a theater arts class. Grades 7-12 Music and Theatre
Jason Bannister Troy Howard Middle School Grades 7-8 Performing Arts
Writing Across the Curriculum in a Performing Arts Classroom
Writing is a life skill that is of critical importance to our students. I will share ways in which I have incorporated writing composition and critical responses in to my dance classroom. All grade levels. All content.
Emma Campbell Thornton Academy Dance
Forming, Storming, Norming, and Performing: Care and Feeding Teaching Artists as part of a Long Term Education Plan
Artist and Art teacher collaborate to present, discuss, and answer questions about building and using a successful teacher/visiting artist relationship, not to replace an art teacher, but as an important resource and teaching tool. Using their 5 years of history as a guide, they will chronicle their journey from meeting to developing month long integrated science/LA/art curriculum modules and expeditionary learning programs. They will discuss building consensus among faculty and staff, securing and managing funding sources, and gaining buy-in from students, the community, and decision makers in the school. All grade levels. All content.
Tim Christensen Teaching Artist Visual Art Kristen Andersen Camden-Rockport Middle School Grades 6-8 Visual Art
Next Step Rubric Makes Learning More Progressive
Educators will leave with strategies to put students on a continuum of learning that is teacher and student friendly. PK-12 Art and Music
Nancy Kinkade Mattanawcook Junior High School Grade 5-8 Music Holly Leighton Mattanawcook Academy Visual Art
Looking in the Mirror: The Importance of Student Self-Reflection
Self-assessment is a crucial part of learning. In the arts, it is easy for us to see a concrete product of their learning and understanding of a topic. We don’t always see student learning that happens beneath the surface unless it is verbally or orally communicated. With regular self-assessment integrated in your classroom, students become more aware and take ownership of their learning. All grade levels. All content.
Mandi Mitchell Hermon High School Visual Art
Using Multiple Intelligences to Teach Students with Disabilities
Learn how teaching using multiple intelligence can be a way to unlock learning goals for students with disabilities. All grade levels. All content.
Brigid Rankowski Teaching Artist
Registration is available by CLICKING HERE.
About MALI
In the spring of 2011, the Maine Department of Education launched the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative (MAAI). During the summer of 2015 after gathering feedback from the initiative’s Teacher Leaders the name was changed to the Maine Arts Leadership Initiative (MALI). Presently in phase six, the Maine Arts Commission continues to provide professional learning opportunities for educators. The mission was changed to reflect the present work underway. The Maine Arts Leadership Initiative (MALI) is committed to the development of teacher leaders to ensure deep understanding and meaningful implementation of high quality teaching, learning, and assessment in the arts.
Thank you to the MALI partners for your collaborative work: Maine Department of Education, Maine Art Education Association, Maine Music Educators Association, New England Institute for Teacher Education, University of Southern Maine, and UMaine Performing Arts.
USM Mega
December 6, 2016Maine Arts Leadership Initiative (MALI)
Teachers are registering for the MALI Mega at USM Portland and I invite you to register as well. It is scheduled for Wednesday, January 4 at on the Portland campus of USM. The sessions and descriptions are included below and registration is available by CLICKING HERE.
Dates and Locations
There are six Megas offered this year, at this time registration is available for those underlined.
- Monday, November 21, 2016 Ellsworth High School – GREAT conference!
- Wednesday, January 4, 2017 USM, Portland – Registration is open!
- Thursday, February 2, 2017 UMaine, Orono – Registration coming soon
- Friday, March 17, 2017 Hebron Station School, Hebron (Oxford Hills) – Registration coming soon
- Wednesday, March 22, 2017 Easton Schools, Aroostook County
- Wednesday, April 26, 2017 UMaine, Orono – Theatre conference, registration is open! Free!
The cost to attend each Mega is $25 (unless otherwise indicated). Contact hours for full participation – 5.5 contact hours. The Megas provide multiple opportunities for the Maine Arts education community to engage in professional development specific to come together to deepen our knowledge, make connections, and learn from each other!
SESSIONS MEGA USM
SESSION I
The Role of the Digital Portfolio in Arts Advocacy, Assessment, and Student Ownership Learning
Introduction to the digital portfolio. How to implement student centered digital portfolios that promote student ownership of learning and assessment. Grades 7-12
Jackie Bousquet Traip Academy Visual Art
“Making Art History Come to Life with iBooks Author”
Dive into iBooks Author to harness the power of developing multi-modal, Multi-Touch iBooks. You’ll learn features which make iBooks come to life for learners by incorporating audio files, 3D widgets, image glossaries, study cards, jailbreaking templates, and much more. Be prepared to create an art history chapter together. You can also use this app for making comics and graphic novels or creating art portfolios. This session is great for MLTI beginners and experts. MLTI MacBooks with iBooks Author preinstalled is encouraged. Grades 7-12
Lindsey Carnes MLTI Apple Learning Specialist
Student’s Reflective Voice: Using the Artist Statement
This workshop, participants will explore the ways in which student voice and understanding within visual art creation can be expanded upon with the use of reflective writing using an Artist Statement. Grades 7-12
Melanie Crowe Marshwood Middle School, Grades 6-8 Visual Art
Assessing Singing in the Primary Grades
This workshop offers methodical strategies for assessing young children’s singing. Assessment logistics and tried and trusted rubrics will be provided as examples, along with ideas for formative assessment including self assessment. Grades K-4
Patti Gordan Raymond Elementary School, Grade K-4 Music
More Cowbell
Playing and composing songs on your own is a blast for some, however there’s something special about making music in collaboration with other like-minded folks that just can’t be beat. In this hands-on, music making session, participants will use GarageBand to learn the basics of song writing and music production. Participants will have plenty of time to explore and experience the fun of collaborative music creation. Musicians of any and all skill levels are welcome. Make sure to bring your Mac and/or iOS device with GarageBand installed. All grade levels.
Tim Hart MLTI Apple Learning Specialist
Using Multiple Intelligences to Teach Students with Disabilities
Learn how teaching using multiple intelligence can be a way to unlock learning goals for students with disabilities. All grade levels. All content.
Brigid Rankowski Teaching Artist
SLOs – Student Learning Objectives
The workshop will give a brief overview of Chapter 180, and focus on writing and implementing SLOs. Time will be provided to practice writing SLOs and receive feedback All grade levels. All content.
MaryEllen Schaper Bonney Eagle Middle School, Grades 6-8 Dance
SESSION II
Stars and Stairs
Stars and Stairs, Where am I now and Where am I going? How can the use of Stars and Stairs in your classroom help to inform you and your students of their learning progression and actively engage them in the learning process. This will be a round table discussion. Looking at your standards and your curriculum how can you use the Stars and Stairs model in your classroom. All grade levels. All content.
Samantha Armstrong Paris Elementary School and Hebron Elementary
Schools, Grades K-6 Visual Art
Writing Across the Curriculum in a Performing Arts Classroom
Writing is a life skill that is of critical importance to our students. I will share ways in which I have incorporated writing composition and critical responses in to my dance classroom. All grades levels. All content.
Emma Campbell Thornton Academy Dance
Including Students with Disabilities in Your Art Classroom Using iMovie
Use stations and sites fostering independence to help students collect assets for creating art infused iMovie productions. This session will showcase how a green screen and some photos can provide opportunities for all learners to showcase their creative side. MLTI MacBooks with the most current version of iMovie is encouraged. All content. All grade levels.
Lindsey Carnes MLTI Apple Learning Specialist
Reflections on Standards Based teaching and Learning
In this workshop participants will discuss ways to connect students with standards, methods of to make SBL visible for students and the use of a matrix to document teaching opportunities that are standards based. Grades 6-12
Jennie Driscoll Brunswick High School Visual Art
Making 8-bit Art
Beginning with early Atari and Nintendo video games, the 8-bit aesthetic has been a part of our culture for over 30 years. No longer just nostalgia art, contemporary 8-bit artists and chiptunes musicians have elevated the form to new levels of creativity and cultural reflection. In this session, we will focus on tools that assist in creating 8-bit images, animations, and music. Please bring your MLTI MacBook. All grade levels.
Tim Hart MLTI Apple Learning Specialist
“Something from Nothing” or Costuming on a Budget
Hot glue, curtains, table cloths, children’s sleds, and ribbon – what do they all have in common? They can be ingeniously used to create authentic costumes for all plays. Armed with this knowledge, you can devise a lesson in the designing of costumes for the stage for your students. If time permits, participants can brainstorm possible resources and ways to include students. Grades 9-12
Jean Phillips Wiscasset High School Theatre
Music Curriculum SLOs
Building SLO and Data Points from your Music Curriculum. Grades K-8
Cynthia Streznewski Woolwich Central School, Grades K-8 Music
About MALI
In the spring of 2011, the Maine Department of Education launched the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative (MAAI). During the summer of 2015 after gathering feedback from the initiative’s Teacher Leaders the name was changed to the Maine Arts Leadership Initiative (MALI). Presently in phase six, the Maine Arts Commission continues to provide professional learning opportunities for educators. The mission was changed to reflect the present work underway. The Maine Arts Leadership Initiative (MALI) is committed to the development of teacher leaders to ensure deep understanding and meaningful implementation of high quality teaching, learning, and assessment in the arts.
Thank you to the MALI partners for your collaborative work with MALI: Maine Department of Education, Maine Art Education Association, Maine Music Educators Association, New England Institute for Teacher Education, University of Southern Maine, and UMaine Performing Arts.
Maine Crafts Association
December 5, 2016News from MCA
The Center for Maine Craft, located in West Gardiner is a retail store and gallery selling and exhibiting the work of over 300 Maine craft artists. It the central location for Craft sales, education, and activities in our state. All work for sale at the Center is handcrafted by Maine craft artists or produced by small Maine companies.
CRAFT APPRENTICE PROGRAM
Application Deadline: December 9, 2016
The Maine Crafts Association is now accepting applications from Maine craft masters and apprentices for 2017 apprenticeships. Participants must be at least eighteen years of age, current Maine residents, and apprentices must demonstrate foundational skills in the medium they wish to pursue.
Applications are reviewed by a panel of Maine professionals for a first round elimination. The panel also interviews the finalist pairs with awards given to three or more joint applicants. Master and apprentice receive honorariums based on a recommended one hundred hours of one-on-one training ($3000 to the master, $1000 to the apprentice). The honorarium for the master artist covers their time and transference of knowledge/expertise, while the apprentice’s funds are for supplies/equipment. To learn more please CLICK HERE.
REGISTER SECONDS & SUPPLIES SALE – June 3, 2017
Member Application Deadline: February 15, 2017
An outdoor Maine Art and Craft Seconds & Supplies Sale will be held Saturday, June 3, 2017 at Running with Scissors in Portland, Maine. The sale will provide an opportunity for the pubic and fellow artists to purchase studio supplies, material and equipment, as well as seconds (final products not quite right for full price retail or wholesale shows and stores) directly from Maine artists.
The sale is a co-production of Maine Crafts Association and Running with Scissors designed to support our members, have fun and help shift extra materials from people who don’t need them to people who do!
HOW to EXHIBIT
Vendors will be confirmed on a first come, first served basis within each media category. MCA and RWS members will be offered tables at a member rate before 2/15/17. If space is available, a later deadline and higher rate will be open to non-members and late registrants. Exhibitors will set up “flea market” style at single 8×4 tables or 10×10 tents that they supply. No electricity. Exhibitors are responsible for their own sales transactions.
For more information please CLICK HERE.
MAINE CRAFTS ASSOCIATION WEEKEND @ Haystack
May 11-14, 2017 Haystack Mountain School of Crafts | Deer Isle, ME
Register soon- very few spaces left, early bird discount ($50) applies through Jan. 31
2017 INSTRUCTORS AND WORKSHOPS
Elizabeth Busch* | Fiber Arts: Creating a Painted Quilt Top (full, waitlist only)
Tim Christensen | Ceramics: Sgraffito on Porcelain Bird Sculptures
Rebecca Goodale* | Artist’s Books: Interlocking and Pop-Up Books
Scott Minzy | Printmaking: Brayers, Barens and Blocks – an adventure in printmaking
Jacques Vesery* | Wood: Spoons and Such; Carve it, Paint it, Gild it (one space left)
Kate Mess | Jewelry: Enamel Immersion (full, waitlist only)
Jason Morrissey and Nick Rossi Blacksmithing: Function and Form in Damascus Steel (full, waitlist only)
To learn more and to register please CLICK HERE.
CENTER GALLERY: ANNUAL ORNAMENT SHOW
Our Annual Ornament Show features beautiful, handmade ornaments and decorations in a range of craft mediums for the season by MCA member artists. You’ll find Cardinal Wall Hangings by Patti’s Machine Quilting, Snowflake Blocks by Nail Art, Balsam Pillows by Maine Sales Company, Tree Top Angels by Donna Lausier, Clay Wall Tiles by Lisa Gilman and much more! Shop the Center for Maine Craft retail gallery and exhibition space, located at 288 Lewiston Road in the West Gardiner Travel Plaza; open every day from 9am-8pm. The Center will close at 4pm on Christmas Eve.
Featured Artists: Carolyn Kemp, Wayne Village Pottery, Al Mather, Priscilla Clark, Gary Poisson, Erlynne Kitagawa, Donna Lausier, Lola Arts, Lisa Gilman, Mudgirl Pottery, Kaitlyn Duggan Pottery, Maine Lights Collection, The Knotty Shop, Ember Grove Gallery, Jeanne Seronde Perkins and Ebenezer Akakpo
INTERESTED IN SELLING YOUR WORK AT THE CENTER FOR MAINE CRAFT?
The Center for Maine Craft jury process is open to all craftspeople, including MCA members and non-members who live and work at least seasonally, in Maine. All qualifying work must be well conceived and expertly executed in Maine. It also must be made by hand or with the use of appropriate equipment and tools.
To learn more please CLICK HERE.
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