Posts Tagged ‘national core arts standards’

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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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NCAS – June 30 to July 15

June 30, 2013

What do you think?

Your opportunity to provide feedback on the first public release of the National Core Arts Standards begins TODAY. The information is below. Please don’t hesitate to contact me at argy.nestor@maine.gov if you have any questions or concerns. PLEASE take advantage of this opportunity and voice your opinion on the draft of the standards.Screen shot 2013-06-30 at 12.06.55 PMScreen shot 2013-06-30 at 12.07.55 PMScreen shot 2013-06-30 at 12.08.11 PM

Posted in assessment, Communication, Community, Creativity, Curriculum and Instruction, Food for thought, Leadership, VPA, YAHOO | Tagged , , | Leave a Comment »

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All-State In-Service Conference

May 27, 2013

A GREAT event!

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Sanford High School’s Matt Doiron, York High School’s Rob Westerberg, and Bonny Eagle High School’s Jake Sturtevant recognize colleagues with a standing ovation. All three have had an active leadership role in the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative.

It was wonderful to have the opportunity to attend the In-Service conference week before last that the Maine Music Educators Association (MMEA) provided for music teachers across the state. Congratulations and a great big THANK YOU to the planning committee for your work and time commitment to making the professional development opportunity a success!

Please watch for individual blog posts on those individuals who have been honored by the MMEA for their commitment to the profession. Thank you to those who take the time to recognize colleagues! I know it means a great deal and it is a reminder to all of us that our work is appreciated.

It was great to see so many Maine Arts Assessment Initiative’s teacher leaders providing workshops during the conference.

I had the opportunity to join my music colleagues and Maine Arts Assessment Initiative’s teacher leaders Jen Nash and Bill Buzza in presenting a session on the National Core Arts Standards (NCAS). Jen and Bill and colleague Allysa Anderson provided feedback on the first draft of the document. All three are teacher leaders with the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative. They were three of 10 Maine visual and performing arts educators that provided feedback. Because of their involvement they have first hand knowledge of the NCAS draft. Several teachers attended the session and asked questions and provided suggestions on how to disseminate the NCAS information as it becomes available. If you have any suggestions, please email them to me. It is important that all of you provide feedback. The next draft of the standards is scheduled for release in June and it will be available to everyone. Please get ready to provide feedback!

I was glad to attend the banquet and see the performance of Hampden Academy students and their teacher Pat Michaud joining them on the drums. It was a delight to see so many of you attending the conference and a chance to chat.

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Pat Michaud and Hampden Academy students perform at the banquet.

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Music teachers showing their appreciation for the student performers

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Music teachers discuss the National Core Arts Standards

Bill Buzza, Argy, Jen Nash presenting the session on the National Core Arts Standards

Bill Buzza, Argy, Jen Nash presenting the session on the National Core Arts Standards

Posted in Communication, Curriculum and Instruction, Leadership, Music, Professional Development, Standards Based Education, VPA, YAHOO | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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NCAS Are Coming!

April 13, 2013

Help! Help! The standards are coming!!!

This blog post was written by York High School music educator Rob Westerberg. Rob collaborated to create the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative (MAAI) and served on the phase 1 leadership team for the MAAI. Periodically Rob and I discuss the state of Arts Education in Maine and after a recent conversation on the topic this blog post appeared in my inbox. I hope it provides “food for thought” as I have tagged this post and that you are motivated to post a comment with your thoughts. 

The National Core Arts Standards are on their way, and I think the news is being met with every reaction known to the universe… please take this short quiz and lets see where YOU stand on the issue!

The thought of unpacking the new standards in my program makes me: 

a.  feel guilty because I don’t have time to utilize standards right now as it is.

b.  all excited – I can’t wait to see what they came up with! And I think I need to get out more!!!

c.  want to chew on aluminum foil just to take my mind off of making yet ANOTHER revision to my curriculum.

d.  wish I lived in Sweden.

The main reason I am apprehensive about incorporating standards is:

a.  I already work a 60 hour week (for 40 hours of pay) and doing even one more thing is  not going to be possible.

b.  I don’t have time, between my assigned duties of assessing Common Core English Language Arts prompts and playground duty.

c.  My in-laws are coming to visit and the dog just threw up on the sofa.

d.  I don’t know how and/or know what “incorporating standards” really even means.

My favorite ice cream is:

a.  Rocky Road

b.  Mint Chocolate Chip

c.  Chubby Hubby

d.  Is this really a blog post on the national standards?

Listen, here’s how I see the impending arrival of the standards revision going down –

What it DOESN’T mean:

* increased work or expectations

* mandated curriculum – relinquished local control

* a redefinition of arts education

* a list of things my students “must” meet

* taking what we already do and merely dressing it up nicer

* feet-to-the-fire, “meet these or else” expectations

What it DOES mean:

* an honest reflection of essential skills and expectations for our students

* an invaluable guideline for sequential skill development

* language that aligns us with the other 7 core subject areas

* a tool that fosters our growth as arts educators in the 21st century

* a document that embeds the expertise of thousands of colleagues throughout the country

* a foundation provided for evaluating what we do and why we do it

Through the National Standards revision, we have unprecedented opportunity to:

* utilize a powerful advocacy tool, articulating how and why what we do is academic and essential instruction

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

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

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

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

* 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

* expand our knowledge, discover new connections, and continually reevaluate – assisting us in our own process of being lifelong learners

Far be it from me to tell anyone the sky isn’t falling if they’d simply prefer to believe otherwise, but the reason we do what we do in our classrooms day in and day out is to provide the very best we possibly can for our students. The National Core Arts Standards have every promise of being a powerful tool and vehicle that will assist us in doing so. No, your students will not have to meet every standard. Yes, there are standards that you will want to embrace and incorporate. No, no one is going to tell you what to do. Yes, this document will help you articulate what it is you already do in your classroom. No, you are not expected to dissect it on your own. Yes, there will be bountiful opportunities right here in Maine to learn more about it and how to utilize it.

Keep checking in on this blog, and don’t be surprised if this document becomes one of the cooler things you’ve come across in your career, a genuinely helpful resource in your arsenal as a great teacher in this great state. And, no doubt about it, it will have the potential to be transformative if you choose to go down that road too! Please excuse me now, I have to go clean up a mess on my sofa……

Thanks Rob for providing your latest thoughts on the National Core Arts Standards – when you get finished with your sofa, I have some cleaning at my house to do so please stop by…

Posted in assessment, Curriculum and Instruction, Food for thought, Standards | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment »

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McTighe on National Core Arts Standards

March 28, 2013

McTighe Recording on Arts Assessment

Screen shot 2013-03-19 at 7.56.58 PMMost states have someone at their state Department of Education’s that represent visual and performing arts education. We are members of the State Education Agency Directors of Arts Education (SEADAE). We have monthly online meetings and almost monthly we have professional development webinars that are often facilitated by our members.

Sometimes we have guests and recently SEADAE hosted a session with Jay McTighe of Wiggens & McTighe consultants. They are best known for originating the Understanding by Design approach. McTighe has worked with the National Coalition for Core Arts Standards and the writing teams creating the National Core Arts Standards with his work on assessment, arts assessment and the cornerstone assessments.

Fortunately, you can listen to the recording of the SEADAE webinar with Jay McTighe that has been archived. Jay has much to offer as we develop arts assessments as part of a complete curriculum. I was glad that the session was recorded since I wasn’t available to attend but you can hear many of my colleagues introduce themselves during the first 3 minutes at start of the webinar.

The archive link: https://seadae.webex.com/seadae/ldr.php?AT=pb&SP=MC&rID=120786467&rKey=0f174cd89ef5e1d7

Download recording link: https://seadae.webex.com/seadae/lsr.php?AT=dw&SP=MC&rID=120786467&rKey=cc2683ea29f1e33c

It was great to attend a session while at the National Art Education conference in Texas earlier this month when Jay presented on the National Core Arts Standards. Daisy McTighe is an art teacher and has been working on the standards as well and is on webinar also. I suggest you check out this vimeo http://vimeo.com/44662239 and hear Daisy discuss the work.

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

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Common Core and the ARTS

February 6, 2013

College Board Releases Common Core Study

I have received emails in the recent months from visual and performing arts teachers who have said they have been asked to do work with the Common Core State Standards (CCCSS) for English/language Arts and math.

Most of you know that the National Core Arts Standards Conceptual Framework was released on January 14, 2013. The College Board has been part of the National Coalition for Core Arts Standards and has provided several research components that supports the work.

Late last week, Amy Charleroy of the College Board announced that the Common Core alignment study is complete.  The work, entitled A Review of Connections between The Common Core State Standards and The Next Generation Arts Standards  may be downloaded at http://nccas.wikispaces.com/Common+Core+Alignment.

Dr. Nancy Rubino, of the College Board, discusses Common Core connections in the Conceptual Framework roll out presentation, also housed on the National Coalition for Core Arts Standards wikispace. The presentation and PowerPoint may be found at:  http://nccas.wikispaces.com/Conceptual+Framework+Presentation+to+Field.

These studies can provide answers to your questions and valuable information that can help with the curriculum work you are doing at the local level.

Posted in Curriculum and Instruction, Opportunity, Standards | Tagged , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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Live Stream: National Core Arts Standards

January 18, 2013

Technical difficulties

If you tried to join the live stream today on the National Core Arts Standards you may not have had any luck with the connection or getting in to the stream. I am not sure who said: “Technology is great when it works.” Periodically, that statement rings VERY true. I am guessing that my colleagues in New York who were trying to make the opportunity feasible for everyone across the country were very frustrated. Fortunately everyone will have the opportunity to access the event since the archive will be posted starting this Sunday!

I am taking this opportunity to provide some information that you might be wondering about.

As I learn more I will provide an update here on the meartsed blog. If you have questions please go to the National Coalition for Core Arts Standards website at http://nccas.wikispaces.com/ or contact me at argy.nestor@maine.gov.

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Posted in Communication, Curriculum and Instruction, Research, Standards, VPA | Tagged , , | Leave a Comment »

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Common Core State Standards: ELA and Math

April 12, 2012

Catch up on what’s happening

National work

I get a ton of email and at least once a week this question: “when are the Common Core coming for the Arts?” If you’ve been following the blog posts you probably know that the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) include ELA and Math. However, the work is underway on the rewriting of the national arts standards which will not be called common core but National Core Arts Standards. The Coalition for Core Arts Standards is the leadership team for the work and is made up of the national organizations for each discipline of the arts plus The College Board and my professional organization State Education Agency Directors of Arts Education (SEADAE).

There are five disciplines being developed as part of the document: dance, media arts, music, theatre, and visual arts. The writing teams are comprised of teachers in PK-higher ed and also include members from SEADAE. You can follow the development of this work and learn what has taken place to date by going to http://nccas.wikispaces.com/.

I have been reading information about the connections of the arts to the CCSS and have provided some resources at the Maine Department of Education arts pages for you. My colleague from Kansas facilitated a webinar called The Arts, Common Core, and 21st Century Connections. Please take a few minutes to view it by clicking here.

With the heavy focus on reading and math with the CCSS I know there are some concerns that the arts will be marginalized. I understand David Coleman who was a leader write for the CCSS, ELA said: “The new requirements do not exclude the arts. There is no such thing as doing the nuts and bolts of reading in kindergarten through 5th grade without coherently developing knowledge in science and history and the arts. Period. It is false. It is a fiction.” Education Week/Curriculum Matters blog (3/21)

Condoleezza Rice and the Arts

Condoleezza Rice Makes the Case for Arts as Vital Part of Education at http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2012/03/condoleeza-rice-makes-the-case-for-arts-as-vital-part-of-education.html

Teaching Math Through the Visual Arts

Caren Holtzman and Lynn Susholtz have written a book called Teaching Math Through the Visual Arts, K-5. You can preview the book online at http://www.stenhouse.com/shop/pc/viewprd.asp?idProduct=9334&r=eu11024&pos=sponstop1&adv=stenhouse

Posted in Curriculum and Instruction, Food for thought, VPA | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

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Media Arts Debate in Phoenix

November 2, 2011

Debating media arts

Rich Wells and Marcia McCaffrey

My colleague from NH, Marcia McCaffrey, is co-chairing the National Core Arts Standards work and today she did a marvelous job facilitating the conversation. With representatives from NAEA, NAfME, the dance, theater, and college board, along with my colleagues from 28 states a great deal was accomplished. Marcia was a master at keeping the day moving and it was a fascinating day. (Talk about trusting the process!)

Part of the morning was spent in debate about whether we should have “media arts” as a separate discipline or have media arts standards incorporated in the other 4 arts disciplines. Thanks to all of you who contributed your opinion on the topic.

Here’s a bit of the conversation which you can also follow, listen to on what was streamed from the all-day meeting today.You can access the archived stream at http://nccas.wikispaces.com/NCCAS+Phoenix+Meeting+11-1-2011. The presentations for the debate were well researched and in the end the state arts specialists had two votes. One for the state and the other for us personally. 32 voites were in favorite of a 5th and separate discipline along with standards for media arts embedded in the other four disciplines.

Jane’s opening statement

  • it is premature to include media arts as a 5th discipline
  • what is media arts, it needs to be defined – what’s constitute media arts in K12
  • what makes it different – why not write them into the 4 disciplines
  • media arts can write their own and then the 4 others can embed them into
  • first and foremost needs to be taught from an arts aesthetic and not from the tools
  • we’re already struggling with art and music to keep them in place in schools, let alone dance and theater

We w0uld have to deal with the following:

  • licensure
  • professional development systems
  • support
  • curriculum and assessments
  • HQT

Amy’s opening statement

  • when I started teaching I was deeply influenced by the national standards (that were just released) and the forward thinking of the writers
  • 1895 – Lemure Brothers, film was presented of the train coming down the track. people ran out of the theater. The same thing was happening to my family this morning. Age 10, daughter, reading email, other daughter reading a book on line, husband reading his email, dog has a gps. They have the media but we need to provide students with opportunities to create and innovate. Americans view 60 films a year, tv, online, email combined – 4 months out of our year. It is shaping our lives, our cultures, our society. multi-disciplinary art form.

Need to look at two components:

time based media – movies, animation, theater, etc.

interactivity – video games, computational arts, etc.

  • students can produce works of art that students need to have the opportunity to fully flesh out stand alone standards. Media arts – artform with expression, different than the other artform
  • kids are already doing it so they need support systems to mirror what they are doing in their world
  • have conversation in their global society

Mike’s opening statement

  • Media arts need to be part of it.
  • Narrow the definition – so we can get a handle on it. show what is necessary, to separate from the other arts. electronic arts intermix – leading resource – preservation of media arts
  • Film institute from Great Brittain – media education in 1986, created a document – films, video, and television. came out with a bluepring for teaching and learning in the moving image – NYC. 5 strands

One important point: We can not have a media arts program in place and have them be in service to the other four disciplines – cross disciplinary works better for teachers!

So, there you have it in a nutshell from what I recorded. What’s next? The leadership team who is the governing group of the work, will make the final decision. I will keep you posted.

Posted in Curriculum and Instruction, Leadership, Media Arts, VPA | Tagged , | 10 Comments »

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WhooOoooo HooOooo – Phoenix

November 1, 2011

3 day meeting

I left my home this morning with about 4 inches of snow on the ground and drove to Portland where I hopped on a plane for Phoenix. I had a 2 hour layover in Philadelphi and headed for AZ for sunny warm weather. It was 91 degrees when I landed. Wow, like stepping back into July.

There are 31 of my colleagues from the other states here for a three day meeting. The State Education Agency Directors of Arts Education (SEADAE) are gathering to engage with members of the National Coalition for Core Arts Standards. It is exciting, I will be posting this week and keeping you informed about the work.

Posted in Communication, Opportunity, Standards | Tagged | 4 Comments »

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