Archive for the ‘Creativity’ Category

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Eco Artist

May 8, 2020

Krisanne Baker

Medomak Valley High School art teacher Krisanne Baker’s work as an eco-artist is documented in this movie called Ocean Breathing.

A science/art collaboration sharing the importance of phytoplankton in our lives. Maine ecological artist, educator and ocean advocate, Krisanne Baker created and installed over 100 recycled glass sculptures in the form of phytoplankton she studied with Dr. Michael Lomas at the National Center for Marine Algae and Microbiota within Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences. Many of the sculptures are Baker’s examples of phytoplankton mutating due to climate change and ocean acidification. There is an interactive identification sheet available for visitors to the Bigelow atrium. Baker uses glass as a metaphor for the fragility of these microscopic lives, and to protect the delicate balance of the ocean.

View the Vimeo OCEAN BREATHING.

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The Julliard School

May 7, 2020

Together but alone – making magic!

Bolero Juilliard: “What can we do together even while we are alone?”

With 100+ Juilliard students and alumni, at home together. (April 2020)

Directed and choreographed by Larry Keigwin with associate Nicole Wolcott, featuring a reimagining of Ravel’s score, conducted by David Robertson, and produced by Kurt Crowley. Featuring Juilliard dancers, musicians, and actors, with alumni Emanuel Ax (music), Christine Baranski (drama), Jon Batiste (jazz studies), Renée Fleming (voice), Isabel Leonard (voice), Laura Linney (drama), Patti LuPone (drama), Yo-Yo Ma (music), Andrea Miller (dance), Bebe Neuwirth (dance), Itzhak Perlman (music), Susanna Phillips (voice), Bobbi Jene Smith (dance), Davóne Tines (voice), and Bradley Whitford (drama).

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Music Teachers Going Above and Beyond in RSU#35

May 6, 2020

Putting student needs first 

The following four teachers are going above and beyond teaching and reaching their learners in the RSU#35 school district. I am grateful for the work that David, Kate, Bryan and Kris are doing in music education, ‘schooling away from school’. All very humble, missing their students, below are some of their stories including ideas and resources. Thank you all for sharing!

David Graichen

DAVID GRAICHEN teaches Instrumental Music at Marshwood High School in South Berwick

Before school went digital my band students were working on pieces in small ensembles. We were doing this as a “Music in Our Schools Month” project and we were close to completion. I decided that despite articles warning of the difficulty we would try to make separate recordings and edit them together. I want to give my students a sense of working in an ensemble even when we cannot be together. There are many youtube videos showing you how to use programs by adobe, apple, a cappella, and others to complete this task. Each student got a metronome track for their piece and recorded their part and submitted it through google classroom. Thanks to the support of our RSU#35 Superintendent Mr. Caverly and Brian Carroll (our driver) we loaded the district trailer and delivered everything from a piccolo to a 4.3 octave marimba to students at their homes so they could play again.  With the help of a parent, student, and my student teacher Christopher Ciaglo we are working to edit the recordings together and hope to able to post them at the beginning of May. Normalcy and recognizing the connection music has for my students is very important.
David created THIS VIDEO so students would be reminded of school and to communicate how much he misses them.

David and Brian moving the marimba in to the student’s home.

Kate Smith

KATE SMITH teaches at Central School in South Berwick

I teach 389 PreK through third-grade students and I miss every single one. If there is anything I’ve learned from this pandemic, it is that there is no one, easy way to stay connected with students. I needed offline, synchronous and asynchronous opportunities in order to reach as many kids as possible. In addition to sending home Bingo cards with musical activities, I also record and upload videos on my website and send singing telegrams/musical messages to the teachers to forward to their students. Sometimes these musical messages are sung, other times I  dance (like when I taped glowsticks to myself and danced in the dark to “I’ve Got to Move It”), or lip sync with puppets. During vacation, the Physical Education teacher and I hosted a virtual dance party that had 75 families and 12 staff. Starting this week, we will co-teach 30-minute zoom classes with themes like Minute to Win It, Playground Games and Handclaps, and Beat in My Feet.
Kate created THIS SINGING TELEGRAM for her five first grade classes and this very fun lip sync singing telegram below.

BRYAN KILLOUGH (aka Mr. K) teaches Pre-K through 3 at Eliot Elementary School

Bryan has a YouTube channel where he posts amazing teaching videos that he has created for his students. Videos called PATIENCE which teaches the importance of patience, The Beat Song which teaches the concept of Tempo, JS Bach since Eliot Elementary School’s musician of the month of May is JS Bach, and one of my favorites is May is the Month of Maying which is about, you guessed it May – embedded below.
KRIS BISSON teaches music at Marshwood Middle School
This has been a very unique experience for all, but learning prevails. My hope is that my students know how much I care about their learning and their well-being and that we are all in this together. Classroom walls or other walls, we are still connected and creating.

Kris Bisson

Below are some of the learning platforms that she has found successful.

  • FLIPGRID : With Chorus and Guitar/Ukulele Class being performance-based work, I have been using this with great success!
  • Students create videos of themselves (I’ve been doing both “public” and “private” for every assignment) and I can grade and comment (Typed is my preference, or you can video respond). Students can see each other and respond to videos – always positive, and a large part of our Chorus Family Support.
  • PADLET : a chance for students to share personal reflections/responses and for others to share conversation with them. Precise, helps keep thoughts focused.
  • ZOOM and MEET : of course, such a great resource!!!!!!!!!
  • HANGOUTS : for students to ask a question quickly and briefly. So handy. Sometimes starts the need to ZOOM / MEET.
  • GOOGLE CLASSROOM : My organizational tool for sharing all classroom needs, responsibilities, videos, pdfs, you name it!
  • LOOM : I can video and share my picture and voice while sharing my screen to teach the lesson. SO user-friendly, and students are accustomed to the teacher teaching the lesson before completing it for themselves. LOVE this!

Posted in Community, Creativity, Curriculum and Instruction, Dance, Food for thought, Leadership, Music, Opportunity, Resources, Uncategorized, YAHOO | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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Poetry Parlor

May 5, 2020

Maine Teaching Artist Helps Poets Boost Their Skills Online

Brian Evans-Jones is a Maine-based poet and Maine Artist Leadership Initiative (MALI) Teaching Artist Leader. After moving to South Berwick from Britain in 2014, he has taught poetry and writing in schools across Maine, from Kittery to Calais to Van Buren. Now he’s expanding his reach by teaching poetry online to adults.

His new project, Poetry Parlor, is an online membership club for anyone who wants to learn about writing poetry. Each month, members read and discuss a high-quality poem by a contemporary poet, and then write a poem of their own based on what they’ve learned. Members then get feedback on their poems from other members, in a video from Brian, or via a monthly Zoom call with Brian (depending on membership level). There’s also a private Facebook group for members to interact and support each other. So far 18 poets have tried out the Parlor, with some very positive feedback about what they’ve learned.

The idea for Poetry Parlor began when Brian thought about how he could reach more poets. He said, “I’ve taught poetry to adults since 2008, but I hadn’t found the same opportunities to teach it in Maine that I used to have in England. I really love teaching adults, and I was missing it, so I thought about online teaching. I particularly wanted to help writers who were passionate about learning poetry, but who didn’t have time or money for a college course—and of course online is more flexible for them. Plus, I’ve always loved helping writers create community for support and learning. So I came up with the Poetry Parlor, and it has been just so exciting to see members joining in, creating poems and already learning a lot, even after just two months.”

Poetry Parlor started in March, and May is its third month. New members are welcome at any time; if you join late in the month, your membership will be applied to the next month’s activities. Brian says, “We have a committed, friendly, and very supportive community of poets in the Parlor, ranging from someone who has a book coming out, to someone who wrote his first ever poem this month! I’m look forward to welcoming more folks who’d like to try us out.”

For more information and to join, please go to CLICK HERE.

HELP US CELEBRATE THE 4,100th blog post – For the next two weeks Brian is offering 50% off the first month of Standard membership of the Poetry Parlor. Use the code: MAINEARTSED50 when signing up for a membership. In addition, if you check out Brian’s site and return to this blog post and ‘leave a comment’ below about Brian’s Poetry Parlor you will receive a FREE handmade face mask! If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact me at meartsed@gmail.com.

Posted in Communication, Community, Creativity, Food for thought, Leadership, Opportunity, Professional Development | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments »

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Down to the River

May 3, 2020

Online chorus

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Open Art Teachers Studio

April 29, 2020

Create, talk and share

The Maine Arts Leadership Initiative (MALI) is sponsoring Open Art Teachers Studio: Quarantine Edition. Five sessions are being offered on Wednesday’s May 6 – June 3, Zoom, 3:30 – 4:30. An opportunity to create, talk & share for K-12 visual arts educators. Contact hours available. You may attend one or more and receive contact hours for the sessions in which you participate.

REGISTER TO ATTEND

REGISTER TO ATTEND

 

DETAILS 

  • Open Art Teachers Studio is a time (1 hour) and place (Zoom) where K-12 Visual Arts Educators can come together and create! Each session begins with a unique & creative teacher-led hands-on experience followed by discussion.
  • We believe that having a time to create and share as adult artists is vital to our continued success as Visual Arts Educators.
  • First half of the hour is creating & the second half is for sharing current activities, successes, trading resources, troubleshooting, networking, and to support one another.
  • Join us for the 5 session series:
    Wednesdays, 5/6 – 6/3, 3:30 – 4:30 pm
    Come to one or Come to All!
    First session: Portraits! Come prepared with materials you feel most comfortable with
    to create a portrait in any style! Questions – reach out via email:
    Martha Piscuskas, Director or Arts Education, Maine Arts Commission Martha.Piscuskas@maine.gov
    Melanie Crowe, Hampden Academy Art Teacher, MALI Teacher Leader – mcrowe@rsu22.us
    Iva Damon, Leavitt Area High School Art Teacher, MALI Teacher Leader – iva.damon@msad52.org
    Bronwyn Sale, Bates College Instructor – bsale@bates.edu
  • Contact hours available: Sponsored by Maine Arts Leadership Initiative

Posted in Communication, Community, Creativity, Curriculum and Instruction, Opportunity, Professional Development, Visual Arts | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

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Transmission Times Project

April 28, 2020

Record your stories

It’s a crazy time we’re living in with COVID-19 changing all our lives. Not only is it emotionally challenging, but it’s history in the making.

So let’s capture this moment by recording it!

You’re invited by creator Katie Semro (bio below) to participate in an audio diaries project called Transmission Times. Let your voice and your story become part of history. The process is simple, record audio diaries, send them in, and your voice becomes part of the Transmission Times Archive. It also may become part of The Transmission Times podcast.

FROM KATIE

I’ve started an archive of audio dairies from people all over the world during this pandemic so that we can document this time for future generations. I’m also using some of the entires to make a weekly podcast so we can connect with each other over our shared, though separate, experiences.

“I’m collecting audio diaries from people around the world during the pandemic so that we can document this time for future generations. My hope is that we can not only create an archive to record this moment for future generations, but also that by taking time to reflect on our experiences we can help ourselves get through this time.”
The details including a sign up can be found on the TRANSMISSION TIMES WEBSITE. Consider occasionally recording your thoughts on your smartphone or another way and submit your audio files.
The recordings will all go into an ARCHIVE, and some of the entries will go into a weekly PODCAST so we can connect with each other over our shared, though separate, experiences.
      “My hope is that by taking this time to reflect, we each can better handle the impact of      this time. And I also hope that by sharing our stories we can encourage and inspire each other, as well as leave a record of this moment — that is more than just the news reports.”
Please share and invite friends, family, etc, whether in Maine or elsewhere—the project is international.
Katie’s bio
I’m Katie Semro, independent audio producer and health coach, living in Southern Maine with my husband and 2 kids. I was trying to figure out what would help me get through this time and I thought that maybe recording an audio diary would help. And then I though that it would be really amazing to do it on a bigger scale, a kind of collective audio diary. So the idea for an archive was born. (By the way Katie is the wife of writer, poet, and Maine Arts Leadership Initiative Teaching Artist Leader Brian Evans Jones).

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Webinar Today

April 23, 2020

Global Oneness Project

I’ve blogged about Earthrise before – it is such a moving film. In recognition of 50 years of Earth day I suggest that you pause and view the film for the first time or once again. It is so appropriate at this time in history.

In recognition of Earth Day the Global Oneness Project is providing a student photography contest for teenagers. Learn the details TODAY at 11:00AM Pacific Time, 2:00PM Eastern Time. Photo contest: Document Your Place on the Planet. 

Inspired by our Emmy-nominated film Earthrise, by Emmanuel Vaughan-Lee, this contest challenges students to turn their cameras on themselves and their place on the planet, documenting their perspectives of the living world.

Watch the film Earthrise for inspiration and access our in-depth Earthrise Discussion/Curriculum guide which includes background information depicting the year 1968 environmentally and historically. Also included is an Earthrise image analysis activity to introduce students to the Earthrise photograph and the concept of perspective. Our Earthrise conversation cards are also a good source of inspiration; they include quotes from thought leaders, conservationists, authors, and poets such as Wendell Berry, Aldo Leopold, Rachel Carson, Joseph Campbell, and Gary Snyder.

WEBINAR DETAILS

In the webinar we will discuss the Global Oneness Project’s new student photography contest, Document Your Place on the Planet. Inspired by our film Earthrise, we challenge and encourage teens to enter a student photography contest to celebrate the 50-year anniversary of Earth Day. The Earthrise photograph was an impetus behind the environmental movement and the founding of Earth Day, which was created 50 years ago on April 22, 1970.

We are all sheltering in place as we experience the coronavirus pandemic taking place around the world. How might we consider this moment in time and history? How might we reimagine and redefine the meaning of home?

Joining us is Executive Director of the Global Oneness Project Cleary Vaughan-Lee, Mary Ellen Newport, high school ecology teacher at Interlochen Center for the Arts, and Shelly Grandell, middle school science teacher and Space Foundation Teacher Liaison from Colorado. The inspiration behind the project and the project details will be shared along with how the contest is being implemented in the classroom. Student work will be shared throughout this hour and an in-depth Q&A will also take place.

REGISTER HERE FOR TODAY’S WEBINAR 

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Films by Huey

April 17, 2020

Online streaming

Filmmaker Huey is offering online streaming on Vimeo on Demand. Films on Henry David Thoreau, the original self-isolater and Jazz legend and long time NPR host Marian McPartland. Details are below.

Henry David Thoreau: Surveyor of the Soul, 114 minutes, 2017
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/thoreau
This film tells the story of Thoreau in his time and the impact Thoreau’s writings and lifestyle have in our time.
Featuring: Laura Dassow Walls (author, Henry David Thoreau: A Life), Bill McKibben, Howard Zinn, Richard Primack, Megan Marshall, Robert Bly, Wai Chee Dimock, Sandra Harbert Petrulionis, Spencer Crew, Darren Ranco (Penobscot), Representative John Lewis, Robert Sullivan, Rochelle Johnson, Kristen Case, and Ron Hoag.  
“If you are not yet a Thoreau enthusiast, this beautiful, engrossing documentary just might turn you into one. If you already are, it will remind you of the many reasons why.”      
Lucille Stott, Appalachia
In Good Time: The Piano Jazz of Marian McPartland, 86 minutes, 2011.
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/marianmcpartland 
Featuring Jazz Legend and host of NPR’s Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz.  Lots of music and lots of humor.  With Dr. Billy Taylor, Dave Brubeck, Diana Krall, Elvis Costello, Nnenna Freelon, Renee Rosnes and more.

“The DVD is just terrific….a marvelous documentation of a true artist.“ 
Susan Stamberg, NPR
Films By Huey
huey@filmsbyhuey.com
www.filmsbyhuey.com

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Maine Audubon Duck Stamp Challenge

April 13, 2020

Congratulations

Congratulations to all the impressive young artists who entered this year’s Maine Junior Duck Stamp challenge! There were more than 500 entries from students in grades K through 12. The federal program, which was coordinated in Maine by Maine Audubon, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and L.L. Bean, teaches wetland and waterfowl conservation to students in kindergarten through high school. The program encourages students to explore their natural world, invites them to investigate biology and wildlife management principles, and challenges them to express and share what they have learned with others.

On March 11, five judges gathered at L.L. Bean to evaluate all the entries and make some tough choices. The panel included Maine Audubon Staff Naturalist Doug Hitchcox, artists Michael Boardman, Bevin Holmberg, and Georgette Kanach, and USFWS biologist Kirsten Underwood. For each of the four age group categories, they chose three First Place winners, three Second Place winners, three Third Place winners, and Honorable Mentions. They also chose one overall Best in Show as well as a Best in Show Conservation Message.

Grades K-3 First, Second, and Third Place

1st place: Mason Mehalic-Falmouth, Jessica Loiselle-Sebago, Harley Morgan-Bangor

2nd place: Cooper Nye-Bangor, Karli Maling-Kennebunk, Khloe Hartford

3rd place: Gabrielle Atwater, Gitta Reed-Presque Isle, Mayka LaPierre-Bangor

Honorable mention: Miley Cobb, 8; Devonte Dailey, 7, Bangor; Isaac Dyer, 9; Gavin Hopkins, 9; Nevaeh Jennings, 8, Bangor; Emmanuelle Karsh, 8, Bangor; Karina Ludtke, 7, Milford; Theodore Lynch, 8, Eliot; Evan Lynch, 5, Eliot; Freyja Mattsen, 7, Bangor; Stephen McDunnah, 6, Milford; Raquel Murphy, 8; Claire Treadwell, 6, Bangor; Mackenzie Vigue, 9, Castle Hill

Grades 4-6: First, Second, and Third Place 

1st place: Olivia Lindsay-Sebago, Margaret Lynch-Eliot, Olivia Lindsay-Sebago, Ariah Lowell-Biddeford

 

2nd place: Ada Cote-Mappleton, Annabelle Johnson-Fort Fairfield, Carrlyn Buck-Mappleton

 

3rd place: Julien Kind-Wiscasset, Liana Seavey, Lilly Mae Awamle-Bremen

Honorable mention: Kylie Antworth, 10, Brewer; Flannery Brady, 9, Hallowell; Katie Clark, 11, Stella Damon, 10, Brewer; Caleb Dyer, 10, Josiah Guiltner, 13, Perry; Huckleberry Huber-Rees, 11, Alna; Deven Hughes, 11; Olivia Larson, 10; Bristol Mignery, 10, Bowdoin; Brianna Olivares, 9, Milford; Aiden Ouellette, 10, Westfield; Tessa Powell, 11; Brooke Randall, 10, Sebago; Henry Robinson, 9, Chapman; Dylan Smith, 10, Sebago; Madeline St. Cyr, 9, Sebago

Grades 7-9: First, Second, and Third Place

1st place: Elektrah Lowell-Biddeford, Madelyn Thomas-Durham, William Lynch-Eliot

2nd place: Corin Baker, Peter Harrington-Milford, Sarah Guiltner-Perry

3rd place: Haley Moore-MIlford, Maria Perconti, Tucker Frank-Farmington

Honorable Mention: Dakota Curtis, 13; Savannah Edgecomb, 12; Ian Gatcomb, 12; Jordan Green, 13, Robert Lombardo, 14, Milford; Amelia Madigan; Tanner Mason, 13; Kylee McCarthy, 13, Milford; Harriet McKane, 13, Wiscasset; Shoin Mirzoyev; Jessie Patterson, 12; Angelina Pillsbury, 14, Durham; Reagan Planche, 15, Durham; Elizabeth Racicot, 12; Jayden Sullivan, 13; Carter Wilson

Grades 10-12: First, Second, and Third Place 

1st place: Catherine Lynch-Eliot, Saffron Labos-Freeport, Dena Arrison-Freeport

2nd place: Margaret Kazan-Durham, Celia Zimba-Freeport, Helen Pope-South Freeport

3rd place: Caden Benedict-Freeport, Vivien Crawford-Freeport, Aynslie Decker-Durham

Honorable Mention: Emma Barry, 16, Freeport; Kayla Bernier, 16, Durham; Abby Cadorette, 18, Bangor; Cecilia Cobbs, 17, Durham; Reagan Davis, 18, Freeport; Galina Fallon, 17, Durham; Edie Hayden-Hunt, 17, Pownal; Eliza Howe, 15, Durham; Jacie Lavers, 15, Freeport; Bailey McGee, 18, Durham; Marjorie McLeod, 17, Durham; Emily Perilla, 18, Freeport; Raveen Punosian, 17, Freeport; Sydney Silva, 17, Freeport; Magnolia Sinisi, 18, Freeport; Nora Soule, 16, Pownal.

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