MAAI Mega-regional workshops – last of the school year
Last Thursday and Friday the last two Maine Arts Assessment Initiative’s (MAAI) Mega-regional workshops were held at UMaine, Orono and USM, Portland campus. Both were a success and the 127 teachers who participated had positive feedback. It was an opportunity designed just for visual and performing arts educators including teaching artists.
I am so proud of the Teacher Leaders and the workshops they created. MAAI believes that “teachers teaching teachers” is very powerful!
Thank you to the following Teacher Leaders listed below who provided the following workshops:
UMaine, Orono – Thursday, April 2
Finding the Hidden Treasure in Art with Student Self Assessment, Jennie Driscoll Brunswick High School Visual Arts
Efficient and Effective Assessment in the Elementary Music Classroom, Frances Kellogg Ellsworth Elementary Middle School Music
Multiple Pathways: Helping Students Achieve Proficiency in ELA and Social Studies through Performing Arts Class!, Beth Lambert Carrabec High School Performing Arts
The Foolish Man Builds his House Upon the Sand: Laying a Firm Foundation for the Arts (and life) in Early Childhood, Judy Fricke Main Street Music Studios Music
My Choice-Based Art Class, Nurturing Proficiency through Voice, Choice and Reflective Teaching, Theresa Cerceo Dr. Levesque Elementary, Wisdom Middle/High School Visual Arts
Proficiency-Based Education in Visual Art, Gloria Hewett Mount View Middle School Visual Arts
Gold, Silver or Bronze? A Rubric fit for the Olympics!, Pam Kinsey Easton Schools Music
Rappin’ Differentiated Instruction and Implementing Standards Based Grading, Lisa Neal Nokomis Regional High School Performing Arts
USM, Portland – Friday, April 3
The Studio Habits of Mind: Using the “Hidden Curriculum” to Encourage Student Autonomy, Lisa Ingraham Madison Elementary School Visual Arts
The Recipe: Ingredients in a Proficiency-Based Curriculum, Michaela DiGianvittorio and Sarah Gould Gray-New Gloucester High School Visual Arts
Unpacking the Standards with your BFF (Best Foot Forward), Cynthia Keating, Village Elementary School Music and Kate Smith, Central Elementary School Music
The Foolish Man Builds his House Upon the Sand: Laying a Firm Foundation for the Arts (and life) in Early Childhood, Judy Fricke Main Street Music Studios Music
Writing What We Do: A Guide to Standards-Based Curriculum Mapping & Unit Design, Brian McPherson, Woodside Elementary School Visual Arts and Jake Sturtevant, Bonny Eagle High School Music
Using Digital Process Folios as a Journaling Approach to Self Assessment, Melanie Crowe Marshwood Middle School Visual Arts
Hatching A Songbird: Teaching and Assessing Singing Skills at the Primary Level, Patti Gordan Raymond Elementary School Music
Moving Towards Your Goals: Using Technology for Self-Assessment in a Performing Arts Classroom, Emma Campbell Thornton Academy Dance
Dancing With the Standards: How to Incorporate Standards-Based Dance and Movement Activities in Classroom Learning and Assessment, John Morris Dance
The How and Why of Digital Portfolios, Jeff Orth Richmond Middle/High School Visual Arts
Thanks also to MAAI Teacher Leaders Janie Snider, Jenni Null, and Shari Tarleton.
Artist showcases took place at each Mega with Teaching Artists John Morris and Stevie McGary provided information on their role and some movement as well.
In the afternoon sessions Proficiency-Based Education and Teacher Effectiveness were the discussion topics. Teachers shared what is happening in their schools, had a chance to ask each other questions and learn from what others are doing. Thanks to the following Teacher Leaders who facilitated the discussion:
UMO – Gloria Hewett and Jen Nash
USM – Jake Sturtevant and Amy Cousins (and several others assisted)
Both Megas were successful due to the work of Leadership Team members:
UMO – Catherine Ring
USM – Rob Westerberg and Jeff Beaudry
A special THANK YOU to Laura Artesani who arranged for the space on the UMaine Orono campus. And to Jeff Beaudry who arranged for the space on the USM, Portland campus!
At the end of the day at USM I said to all the participants how proud I was of the work all visual and performing arts teachers do. I know that the jobs you do can be challenging. At the end of the day at UMaine Orono Catherine asked folks how they were feeling and these are some of the words expressed by the group: inspiring – exhausted but happy – encouraged – enthusiastic – can’t wait to try things back in my classroom – my head is full – overwhelmed but supported – not alone anymore – great resources. Catherine’s word: proud.
If you didn’t attend any of the four Mega-regional workshops provided this school year by MAAI and are looking for resources I suggest that you go to http://www.maineartsassessment.com/.
On February 27 and 28 several of Maine Arts Assessment Initiative’s (MAAI) 61 Teacher Leaders came together in Rockland to learn and provide their feedback on phase 4 and, all things MAAI. It is always fun to see everyone and catch up on what is happening (in person) in their classrooms across the state.
Pam Kinsey, Theresa Cerceo, Judy Fricke
Friday evening was spent with Sarah Swain, Art Director, Westbrook Schools who provided a workshop on making videos that answered these two questions:
How can video be used as an effective communication tool?
How can I create videos with visual interest that engage and inform the viewer?
Participants gave high marks to the opportunity to learn! Thank you Sarah!
Jeff Beaudry, Jen Nash
On Saturday we met at the Gamble Center at the Farnsworth Art Museum to review Phase 4 of the MAAI and imagine what Phase 5 could look like. The ideas and innovative thinking were plentiful. Below are some of the topics that generated long lists of ideas.
Teacher Leaders
Proficiency-based education
Bridging the regional gaps with opportunities
Arts integration – professional learning communities
Teacher Effectiveness
Teaching Artists
Arts ambassadors
Advocacy
Stay tuned for more information in the future. MAAI continues to respond to the needs of visual and performing arts educators. We are committed to the work that PK-12 arts educators are doing and during Phase 4 we brought Teaching Artists into the opportunities as well. In the very near future we will announce a call for Phase 5 Teacher Leaders. If you are considering participating as a Teacher Leader please update your resume which is part of the application. Watch for the announcement coming out soon. If you have questions please contact me at argy.nestor@maine.gov.
Last weekend the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative Teacher Leaders met in Rockland for a professional development opportunity and for phase 5 planning. This is a yearly event, that is not only productive – generating ideas to meet the needs of arts teachers, but it is also a great opportunity to meet with cherished colleagues.
On Friday night Sarah Swain provided a workshop that was called Advocacy Video Creation. The goal was to learn basic technical and design aspects of video-making. The essential questions were: How can video be used as an effective communication tool? and How can I create videos with the visual interest that engage and inform the viewer? Participants created videos on a variety of topics. Thank you Sarah for sharing your wisdom and expertise!
On Saturday the Teacher Leaders met all day at the Gamble Center at the Farnsworth Art Museum. We reflected on Phase 4, celebrated the many accomplishments of individuals, and were provided updates on the work underway. Among the parts to celebrate are how several Teacher Leaders are taking on leadership roles in their schools and/or districts across the state.
Participants were asked to self-reflect on their individual teacher needs on the following topics: Proficiency-Based Education, Teacher Effectiveness, Students-centered learning, Creativity, Technology, Assessment, Advocacy, Arts Integration. They each brought an artifact that is symbolic of their MAAI journey. (Where you were, where you are, and where you may be headed?)
This lead to the next part of the day sharing artifacts and noticing similarities among the Teacher Leaders. This helped in determining the goals for all regions of Maine. The goals were condensed for a carousel exercise that generated SOOOOOO MANY WONDERFUL ideas on how to address your needs.
The day ended with a quick feedback that generated a Wordle. This wordle was based on the following question: Write 1-2 words that describe your feelings about MAAI based on your experiences.
And this Wordle was based on the following question: Write 1-2 words that describe your feelings about MAAI as you plan for future activities and professional development.
We are all looking forward to Phase 5 and we intend to celebrate and I can guarantee you that the many ideas have your best interest in mind to assist you in dealing with the teaching challenges of today.
In the near future I will post the “call for teacher leaders” for Phase 5 of the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative. I hope that you will consider taking on this role. Watch the blog for information.
Thank you to Mount Desert Island High School Art educator Charlie Johnson for creating this video showing the highlights of the MAAI Winter Retreat.
This is the first blog post for 2015 on the Phase 4 Maine Arts Assessment Initiative’s (MAAI) Teacher Leaders sharing their arts teachers’ stories. This series contains a set of questions to provide the opportunity for you to learn from and about others. You can learn more about MAAI at http://mainearts.maine.gov/Pages/Education/MAAI# and learn more about all 61 of the MAAI Teacher Leaders at http://www.maineartsassessment.com/#!teacher-leaders/c1qxk.
Kate Smith is an elementary music teacher at Central Elementary School in South Berwick where she teaches 400 students in PreK through third grade. PreK students receive half a year of music, 30 minutes a week. Kindergarten receive 30 minutes a week and First through Third Grade receive 50 minutes a week. Kate also offers second and third grade chorus during January and February for 30 minutes a week. Prior to teaching at Central, Kate was the Music Director at Presentation of Mary Academy, a private all-girl high school in Methuen, MA. Kate received her bachelor’s degree from USM in 1998 and her Master’s in Technology in Education from Lesley University in 2011. Kate is the Outdoor Classroom Coordinator at her school and the 2014 York County Teacher of the Year and the 2015 District 11 VFW Teacher of the Year.
What do you like best about being a music educator?
The joy on the children’s faces each day as they experience music in its many forms.
What do you believe are three keys to ANY successful visual and performing arts education?
Highly trained passionate and effective educators.
A well planned curriculum with meaningful objectives
Support from the administration, staff and community. Support should come not only in the form of adequate funding but also through parent involvement and authentic opportunities for collaboration and integration with peers. The Arts MUST have a place at the table.
How have you found assessment to be helpful to you in your classroom?
Assessments tell me where we are and inform my next destination. Without them I am left to guess (or worse, assume) that students understand and can perform the content. Frequent assessment assures me they still remember or allows me to fill in the gaps. I refer to my favorite form of assessment as “dipstick” assessments, kind of like checking the oil in your car. Quick, easy and essential. Student centered assessment and proficiency based assessment mean the kids know I am with them to the end. I am going to differentiate until I find the right method for their learning style and I am not going to quit until they have met their objectives.
What have been the benefits in becoming involved in the arts assessment initiative?
There are so many benefits!!! For one, the teacher leaders are like one big family. Everyone is incredibly helpful and supportive. There are many readily available resources through the initiative that take the guess work out of creating authentic, effective assessments. Best of all, it is a “Judgement Free” Zone. Everyone realizes no journey is the same. We have all received vastly different levels of professional development through our individual districts, and that’s okay The point is to move forward from wherever you find yourself through the arts assessment initiative.
What are you most proud of in your career?
My students. My growth as a teacher too. I am constantly learning and willing to take risks.
What gets in the way of being a better teacher or doing a better job as a teacher?
Isolation. We are often the only music, art or drama teacher in our building. It’s really important that we find ways (and time!) to observe each other, collaborate with each other and share resources. Technology can make this possible, but we have to be willing to take risks, step out of our comfort zones and open ourselves to opportunities for powerful collaboration and personal reflection.
What have you accomplished through hard work and determination that might otherwise appear at first glance to be due to “luck” or circumstances?
Relationships and connections. These include community members, parents, staff, local businesses, our education foundation, local musicians, artists and past and present students.
Look into your crystal ball: what advice would you give to teachers?
Drink water. Eat breakfast. Go for walks. Build a PLC (personal learning community) comprised of exceptional Arts teachers . Read for pleasure. Go on vacations or staycations. Rest. Remember, you need to be at your best for these kids, they deserve it.
If you were given $500,000.00 to do with whatever you please, what would it be?
I would split it three ways-
a donation to our local education foundation
establish after-school Visual and Performing Arts classes, Culinary Arts programs, and Gardening classes for South Berwick residents ages 3-103.
a donation to Copper Cannon Camp, a free fresh air camp for underprivileged children, located in Bethlehem NH.
Imagine you are 94 years old. You’re looking back. Do you have any regrets?
I am a visionary. We don’t look back. My grandparents never stopped making a difference in other people’s lives. Even in their 90s. I intend to follow in their footsteps.
This past Monday night I was driving home in the snowstorm, after meeting all day with the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative (MAAI) Leadership Team. Catherine Ring, Rob Westerberg, and I started at 8:00 am. We had traveled to Bangor the night before so we could get an early start. At 2:00 pm the rest of the team joined us, including Bill Buzza (on Zoom), Nancy Salmon (who took the bus from Freeport to get there), Jeff Beaudry (who drove up from Portland), Pam Kinsey (who drove down from Easton), and Suzanne Goulet (after meetings at her school in Waterville).
The going was slow since the snow was coming down heavy and the plow trucks hadn’t been out in some time in several towns along the way. I thought about the rest of the team returning to their warm homes in different parts of the state. I was concerned, knowing how treacherous my drive was, that they’d all get home safely. It wasn’t the first time that we had ended an MAAI meeting in a snowstorm.
Nancy Salmon
As I drove, my thoughts turned to the commitment that the MAAI Leadership Team continues to make! They are truly amazing individuals who are knowledgeable, life-long learners, and GREAT collaborators. They are impressive and thoughtful educators from across the state of Maine, willing to “make the trip” on multiple levels. The MAAI journey has been amazing. When Catherine, Rob, and I traveled to Plymouth State University in August 2010, we left very enthusiastic and abuzz about what we had learned and the possibilities for Maine. Our imaginations encouraged us to “dream big” but what has occurred during phases 1, 2, 3, and now 4 is not about our imaginations (only), but the collaboration of so many who are dedicated to excellent arts education for all students!
Pam Kinsey
If you’ve participated in one or more MAAI opportunities you’ve contributed to the direction of MAAI. You are one of over 1000 arts educators who have taken advantage of the over 100 professional development workshops offered by MAAI. The Leadership Team takes the feedback seriously and incorporates your needs and the needs of education into the professional development opportunities provided. Each phase is built on the successes of the previous year and adds components that we know are in the best interest of Maine educators.
The purpose of our meeting on Monday was to reflect on phase 4 and to begin to prepare for phase 5. This winter the MAAI Teacher Leaders will come together to take the preparation to the next step. The work that they do reaching out and connecting with other arts educators is amazing. If you need assistance, no matter where you live in Maine, with the arts education work you are doing in your school/district, many of them are available to assist. The Teacher Leaders in red on http://www.maineartsassessment.com/#!teacher-leaders/c1qxk are available. As you know, they are providing workshops at the regional and mega-regional level. The mega-regional information is located at http://mainearts.maine.gov/Pages/Education/MAAI-Mega-Regionals-2014-2015#.
It was clear that the Teacher Leaders are such an integral part of the work that we will be doing
Jeff Beaudry
a call for others to join the 61 who have participated in the summer institute during the first 4 phases. Perhaps you’d like to join the MAAI and take on a leadership role. We know that it goes way beyond and deeper than learning more about assessment or proficiency-based education. I hear from Teacher Leaders that it includes:
Finding your voice so when you return to your school district you have a place at the table.
Making connections with people that otherwise you wouldn’t meet.
Realizing that you’re not alone.
That going deeper with assessment is not more work, but in fact, it makes your jobs easier.
Provides the opportunity to learn the why we do something, how to do it, and be the one who is making it happen. Instead of someone telling you that you have to do it.
Bill Buzza
And so much more! There is nothing more exciting to me than to hear from a Teacher Leader about how their MAAI journey has made a huge difference, not just for them as a teacher, but for their students!
Let me take this opportunity to THANK the Leadership Team for making the journey – through snow storms, and all! I am so fortunate to work closely with an incredible group of dedicated educators! A special thank you to Bill Buzza who is stepping down from the Leadership Team. And, another to past Leadership Team members, Bronwyn Sale and Matt Doiron, and our long distance member, Barb Vinal from North Carolina!
If you have questions about how to get more involved or to become an MAAI Teacher Leader, please don’t hesitate to contact me at argy.nestor@maine.gov.
The Maine Arts Assessment Initiative (MAAI) is providing four more Mega-Regional workshops throughout the state in March and April. At each event there are several sessions to choose from, all facilitated by MAAI Teacher Leaders. Each site has different offerings and YES, you are welcome to attend more than one. The cost is $25 and 5.5 contact hours are offered. To read about the workshops and reserve your space by registering please click on http://mainearts.maine.gov/Pages/Education/MAAI-Mega-Regionals-2014-2015#.
Participants have the opportunity of attending two workshops in the morning and a whole group session in the afternoon on Proficiency-Based Education in the Arts classroom.
Dates and Locations
Friday, March 6, 2015 Aroostook county (Registration available in the near future.)
Friday, March 13, 2015 Oxford Hills Middle School, South Campus
Thursday, April 2, 2015 UMaine, Orono
Friday, April 3, 2015 University of Southern Maine, Portland
University of Maine, Orono, Mega-regional workshop, Thursday, April 2, 2015
The Maine Arts Assessment Initiative (MAAI) is once again offering Mega-regional workshops in five locations across the state of Maine during the 2014-15 school year. The workshops are being facilitated by the MAAI Teacher Leaders, different workshops scheduled for each location. Yes, you can register for more than one!
The five Mega dates and locations for the 2014-15 school year
Tuesday, November 25 Mount Desert Island High School
Friday, March 6 Aroostook county
Friday, March 13 Oxford Hills Middle School, South Campus
Thursday, April 2 UMaine, Orono
Friday, April 3 University of Southern Maine, Portland
Registration is also open for Mega Mount Desert Island High School and Mega Oxford Hills, South Campus. It will be available for USM, tomorrow and for Aroostook in the very near future. MAAI is a program of the Maine Arts Commission.
You can pay the $25 registration fee using PayPal or you can pay by sending a check made out to Maine Art Education Association and mail it to Maine Arts Commission, c/o Argy Nestor, 193 State Street, 25SHS, Augusta, 04333. You will find all of the information and details that you need when you register at the link above. Please contact me if you have any questions at argy.nestor@maine.gov.
Overall Workshop Schedule
8:15 a.m. Registration begins
8:45 a.m. Opening Session and Morning Workshops
9:10 – 10:20 a.m. Breakout Workshop Session I
10:20 – 10:30 a.m. Break
10:30 – 11:40 a.m. Breakout Workshop Session II
11:40 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Lunch, participants on their own
12:30 – 12:45 p.m. Artist Showcase
12:45 – 2:45 p.m. Session III Large group by Arts Discipline
2:45 – 3:00 p.m. Closing Session
The workshop titles and descriptions for the Mega UMaine, Orono are included below.
Session I
Finding the Hidden Treasure in Art with Student Self Assessment
Learn how setting criteria with students sets the stage for formative assessment. Participants will create a small art work and practice the use of exemplars, setting criteria, and use of assessments to inform instruction. Come explore the benefits that come from student self assessments. Grades 5-12
Jennie Driscoll Brunswick High School Visual Arts
Efficient and Effective Assessment in the Elementary Music Classroom
When you see 200 or more students each week, assessing everyone is challenging. The lack of time seems insurmountable! At this collaborative session, we will discuss ways to make assessments efficient for both class time and your time, while still keeping them effective for teaching and learning. The presentation is directed toward elementary classroom music, but all are welcome to attend and give input. Grades K-5
Frances Kellogg Ellsworth Elementary Middle School Music
Multiple Pathways: Helping Students Achieve Proficiency in ELA and Social Studies through Performing Arts Class!
With the new proficiency based learning law, students must be allowed a variety of ways to demonstrate proficiency. This workshop will examine cross disciplinary units that assess, not only drama standards, but ELA and social studies standards as well. Specifically, we will look at performance assessments that evaluate ELA and social studies standards and can be demonstrated in the performing arts classroom but count towards a students ELA and social studies requirements. Grades 7-12
Beth Lambert Carrabec High School Performing Arts
Moving Towards Your Goals: Using Technology for Self-Assessment in a Performing Arts Classroom
This workshop will demonstrate how to have students successfully self-assess their work in your performing arts classroom using their own devices. Using an existing high school dance lesson, participants will learn how to have their own students measure and analyze their work using applications such as Twitter, Nearpod, eBackpack, and Youtube. Grades 9-12 (all Arts disciplines)
Emma Campbell Thornton Academy Dance
The Foolish Man Builds his House Upon the Sand: Laying a Firm Foundation for the Arts (and life) in Early Childhood
A workshop for Early Childhood Educators, Elementary Arts Specialists, and Elementary Administrators. Come join the fun as we explore how and why arts play is essential to every young child’s ability to learn how to learn! Grades PK-2 (all Arts disciplines)
Judy Fricke Main Street Music Studios Music
Session II
My Choice-Based Art Class, Nurturing Proficiency through Voice, Choice and Reflective Teaching
What are the benefits of a choice-based art room? How can assessments be used to foster creative growth, skill development & proficiency? In this workshop teachers will have these questions answered as well as see how a choice – based art class can teach studio behavior and allow for art creation and teacher feedback that is individualized and authentic to the learners’ experience. Grades K-12
Theresa Cerceo Dr. Levesque Elementary, Wisdom Middle/High School Visual Arts
Proficiency-Based Education in Visual Art
This workshop will provide an overview of what Proficiency-Based Education looks like in a middle school art program. Unpacking standards, creating rubrics, understanding meeting proficiency, formative vs summative, and assessment will all be part of this workshop. Grades 6-8
Gloria Hewett Mount View Middle School Visual Arts
Stir-Crazy: A Movement Tool Kit for the Sedentary Classroom
Kids not sitting still in class? Unable to focus? This session is for all teachers wanting to add some movement activities and games into the classroom without sacrificing important academic time. All games can be adapted to fit all subject areas. Grades PK-12 (all Arts disciplines)
Stephanie McGary Dance
Gold, Silver or Bronze? A Rubric fit for the Olympics!
This workshop is focused on using Google Drive to create a digital portfolio as a means to show evidence of proficiency, allow for a method of feedback on student work and as a way to organize and maintain student work. This workshop can be used by all VPA teachers. Grades 4-8
Pam Kinsey Easton Schools Music
Rappin’ Differentiated Instruction and Implementing Standards Based Grading
Formative assessments are instrumental in giving teachers the tools they need to discover where each of their students are in the learning process. Participants will learn how to use this data to differentiate instruction for content, process and product to meet the needs of all learners. I will also share how Nokomis High School is beginning to implement standards-based grading. Grades 7-12
Lisa Neal Nokomis Regional High School Performing Arts
Oxford Hills Middle School, South campus Mega-regional workshop, Friday, March 13, 2015
The Maine Arts Assessment Initiative (MAAI) is once again offering Mega-regional workshops in five locations across the state of Maine during the 2014-15 school year. The workshops are being facilitated by the MAAI Teacher Leaders, different workshops scheduled for each location.
The five Mega dates and locations for the 2014-15 school year
Tuesday, November 25 Mount Desert Island High School
Friday, March 6 Aroostook county
Friday, March 13 Oxford Hills Middle School South Campus
Thursday, April 2 UMaine, Orono
Friday, April 3 University of Southern Maine, Portland
Registration is also open for Mega Mount Desert Island High School. It will be available for the other three locations in the near future. MAAI is a program of the Maine Arts Commission.
You can pay the $25 registration fee using PayPal or you can pay by sending a check made out to Maine Art Education Association and mail it to Maine Arts Commission, c/o Argy Nestor, 193 State Street, 25SHS, Augusta, 04333. You will find all of the information and details that you need when you register at the link above. Please contact me if you have any questions at argy.nestor@maine.gov.
Overall Workshop Schedule
8:15 a.m. Registration begins
8:45 a.m. Opening Session and Morning Workshops
9:10 – 10:20 a.m. Breakout Workshop Session I
10:20 – 10:30 a.m. Break
10:30 – 11:40 a.m. Breakout Workshop Session II
11:40 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Lunch, participants on their own
12:30 – 12:45 p.m. Artist Showcase
12:45 – 2:45 p.m. Session III Large group by Arts Discipline
2:45 – 3:00 p.m. Closing Session
The workshop titles and descriptions for the Mega Oxford Hills Middle School, south campus are included below.
Session I
Transform Your Fear of the Bear: Examining Proficiency-Based Arts Diploma Systems
Join us for a modified roundtable opportunity to share and glean developed strategies, reflections, benefits and challenges on this student centered journey. Beginners to full scale implementors are encouraged to participate. Please bring questions and/or artifacts to share: assessments and systems for documentation and communicating proficiency, as well as business cards/info strips to help with networking and the digital sharing of resources. Grades PK-12
Suzanne Goulet Waterville Senior High School Visual Arts
The Recipe: Ingredients in a Proficiency-Based Curriculum
The thought of creating a proficiency-based curriculum from scratch can be daunting. When we try cooking something new for the first time, we seek a recipe to follow, and over time we adjust, improvise, substitute, and personalize the ingredients to make the recipe our own. We would like to share our recipe with you, it may not be exactly your taste, but we have ingredients and tools to share to help you get started. Grades 9-12 (Easily adapted for all grades.)
Michaela DiGianvittorio and Sarah Gould Gray-New Gloucester High School Visual Arts
Dancing With the Standards: How to Incorporate Standards-Based Dance and Movement Activities in Classroom Learning and Assessment
Are you an arts teacher who would like to incorporate more movement in your classroom, but may feel that you lack confidence or familiarity with dance movement? This experiential workshop will walk you through a powerful yet simple creative movement exploration and dance making process that are standards-based and well suited to integrate with any content area. You will learn simple movement tools and a dance making activity that you can implement – no dance background needed – to help your students explore lesson content and engage in creative problem solving together. Grades PK-5 (all Arts disciplines)
John Morris Dance
Let the Maine Learning Results guide your Ensemble Curriculum
The Maine Learning Results are still the state wide Visual and Performing Arts Standards. Take a closer look at your ensemble and discover how you are using the MLRs each and every day. Learn new ways to integrate all of the MLRs. This workshop is applicable for any age ensemble elementary through high school. Grades 5-12
Sue Barre Waterville Junior and Senior High Schools Music
Session II
The Choir Gets It: A Meaningful Approach to Arts Advocacy
Have you been exposed to a wealth of information about why the arts are important in schools and why, as arts educators, we should advocate for our programs? If you answered “yes,” consider attending this reflective workshop that offers an opportunity to think about arts advocacy on a personal level. Listen to the arts advocacy journey of the presenter, while also having ample opportunities to share ideas with colleagues and develop your own attainable arts advocacy goal. PK-12 (all Arts disciplines)
Samantha Davis Molly Ockett Middle School Visual Arts
The Foolish Man Builds his House Upon the Sand: Laying a Firm Foundation for the Arts (and life) in Early Childhood
A workshop for Early Childhood Educators, Elementary Arts Specialists, and Elementary Administrators. Come join the fun as we explore how and why arts play is essential to every young child’s ability to learn how to learn! Grades PK-2 (all Arts disciplines)
Judy Fricke Main Street Music Studios Music
Graphic Notation: “Do You See What I Hear?”
Participants will learn a simple music graphing process that can serve as an effective tool for teaching repetition & contrast, form, and note reading skills to visual learners. In addition, participants will match audio examples with their corresponding music graphs, as well as have the opportunity to play simple melodies on Orff instruments by reading the melodic graphic notation. Those in attendance will discover there is an answer to, “Do You See What I Hear?” for all the learners in their music classes. Grades K-8
Linda McVety and Jenni Null Songo Locks Elementary School Music
The How and Why of Digitial Portfolios
This workshop is focused on using Google Drive to create a digital portfolio as a means to show evidence of proficiency, allow for a method of feedback on student work and as a way to organize and maintain student work. This workshop can be used by all VPA teachers. Grades 6-12 (all Arts disciplines)
Friday was a great opportunity for the Teacher Leaders from the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative (MAAI) to present their workshops as a “dry run” to critical friends. Fifty-eight educators traveled from all parts of Maine to participate in the day. Eighteen workshops were presented in 6 different groups to the critical friends, held in the State House and the Cross Office Building. Teachers bring students on field trips to the State House but it is not often that a group of teachers attend an all-day event there. As compared to when the legislature is in session, it was fairly quiet but that doesn’t take away from the beauty of the Capitol. The first session of the Maine Legislature was held in Maine’s State Capitol on January 4, 1832. As many of you know the dome is presently undergoing renovations and the new copper is gleaming and a site to behold with the changing of the leaves.
We gathered in the beautiful space used by the Council Chamber which I am certain never held that many educators. The Chamber is a segment of State Government of the leadership, a small group that is led by the President of the Senate rotating with the Speaker of the House, to make decisions that impact the entire body of the legislature. Each of the six groups participated in two morning workshops that were held where some of the Maine State Government does their daily business, the Burton Cross Office building. The groups gathered for lunch back in the State House and USMs faculty member and MAAI leadership team member Jeff Beaudry shared the findings of the survey that many of you participated in during the last week on Proficiency and Teacher Effectiveness. (I will post the info in another blog post).
Molly Ockett Middle School Visual Art teacher Samantha Davis presents her workshop to critical friends
Marshwood Middle School art teacher and Teacher Leader Amy Cousins participating in Teaching Artist Randy Fein’s workshop using clay.
Raymond Elementary School music teacher and veteran MAAI Teacher Leader Patti Gordan assists Ellsworth Elementary Middle School music teacher and new Teacher Leader Frances Kellogg with her workshop.
In the afternoon the groups participated in one more workshop and gathered for the wrap-up where the group facilitators provided an overview of what took place in their groups. Phase 4 music Teacher Leaders Kate Smith and Cynthia Keating lead us in song called “We Are One” and adapted for MAAI. It was a worthwhile day for all involved. The Teacher Leaders will tweak their workshops to ready them for the Mega-regional workshops being presented in five locations this year (listed below). Registration will be available soon if you are interested and able to attend please mark your calendars!
USM faculty and MAAI Leadership team member Jeff Beaudry shares the data recently collected from the survey all Maine arts educators were invited to participate in.
A GREAT BIG THANK YOU to the critical friends who participated in the day!
Mega-regional workshops 2014-15 school year
Tuesday, November 25 Mount Desert Island High School
Friday, March 6 Aroostook county
Friday, March 13 Oxford Hills Middle School South Campus
Thursday, April 2 UMaine, Orono
Friday, April 3 University of Southern Maine, Portland
Critical Friends participate in movement workshop led by Teaching Artist John Morris in the rotunda in the State House while former Governor John Baldacci looks on.
MAAI Leadership Team member Catherine Ring provides an overview from her groups workshops.
Wrap up on Critical Friend Day at the State House.
New teacher leaders and music teachers Kate Smith, Central Elementary School and Cynthia Keating, Village Elementary School lead the group in song.
Three years ago the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative (MAAI) Teacher Leaders suggested that they have the opportunity to receive feedback on their workshops before they take them “on the road”. The MAAI prides itself in responding to the needs of the field. So, we created a day that we like to call Critical Friends Day, when the teacher leaders do a dry-run of their workshops before taking them on the road.
On Friday, tomorrow, 52 educators will travel to Augusta and the State House complex to do just that. All 52 will serve as Critical Friends providing feedback to each of the workshop presentations provided by the phase 4 and veteran Teacher Leaders.
It is sure to be nerve wracking, tense, fun, and very worthwhile. Those serving as Critical Friends come from all walks of education. Arts teachers, teaching artists, a retired teacher and Teacher of the Year, an ELA and Social Studies teacher, and an Assistant Principal. All bring something useful to the workshops and we are glad that they will attend!
You might be asking, “when will these workshops be offered to the rest of the education community?” Below is the list of the Mega-regional workshops. Watch this blog for the registration information that will be available in the near future. The regional workshops will also take place throughout the state so check in with the teacher leaders from your region to see when they will take place.
Mega-regional all-day workshop schedule
Tuesday, November 25—Mount Desert Island High School Friday
March 6—Aroostook County
Friday, March 13—Oxford Hills Middle School, South Campus
Thursday, April 2—UMaine, Orono
Friday, April 3—University of Southern Maine, Portland
Break a leg
Good luck to the Teacher Leaders who go bravely forward sharing their expanded knowledge from being a MAAI Teacher Leader and most importantly THANKS for taking on the leadership role. Thanks to those who will be joining us as Critical Friends. For more information on the MAAI please go to our new and wonderful site at http://www.maineartsassessment.com.
Argy Nestor
Arts Educator, Blogger, Artist, Connector meartsed@gmail.com
https://sites.google.com/view/anestor/
Argy’s Blog
The purpose of this blog is to share stories about people and places; and to celebrate the amazing work (and play) that students, educators, and organizations are doing in and for arts education. In addition, the blog has a plethora of resources and innovative ideas. This forum gives blog readers the opportunity to learn from each other. It is essential that we listen, learn, and collaborate in order to build on teaching practices for the benefit of every learner in Maine and beyond.
USM, Portland – Friday, April 3
Thanks also to MAAI Teacher Leaders Janie Snider, Jenni Null, and Shari Tarleton.
me arts ed 