Prodiges

Thanks to Karen Montanaro for sharing the link to this fantastic YouTube video!

Successful Mega!

MAAI Mega MDIHS

The feedback is clear – the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative’s Mega – regional workshop at MDI High School last week was a success! Participants learned new information and the work that is done each day in classrooms across Maine was reinforced. Once again the highlight was the opportunity for Arts educators to come together for a professional development opportunity that was designed specifically for them.

A HUGE THANK YOU to Charlie Johnson and his colleagues at MDI High School for hosting, to the MAAI Teacher Leaders who provided outstanding workshops: Janie Snider, Lisa Ingraham, Shannon Westphall, Frances Kellogg, Sue Barre, Charlie Johnson, to Teaching Artist Stevie McGary for the workshop and artists showcase, and to Catherine Ring, Rob Westerberg, and Nancy Salmon who provided technical assistance and leadership for the day!

I LOVE reading the feedback and how the day influenced participants thinking and teaching. Don’t take my word for it, below is what some of the participants said. I will post more in the near future along with a video that Charlie created to document the day.

• I can’t believe how quickly this day flew by! As always, I wish that we had more time like this and opportunities to meet… I love these MAAI conferences, I always leave feeling more grounded and ready to take action
• I like the Habits of Mind posters and the idea of the check list to keep throughout a project to assess each habit… These were really solid examples of what can be done.
• I have already been implementing a few of these processes into my curriculum. Now, I just need to communicate this to my students in a clearer, more consistent manner.
• Our district is focusing on Habits of Mind. I didn’t realize Studio Habits of Mind are different, but similar. Definitely a lot of useful information.
• On the arts assessment website http://www.maineartsassessment.com there is a proficiency toolbox that I will be able to revamp my assessments at my school.

I LEARNED…

• how to authentically apply the learning results to assessment
• how to create a simple rubric for standards is an easy way to keep track of what 1, 2, 3, 4 etc actually means
• simple, quick class assessments concrete examples of student growth — A+
• about how to apply assessments to the art classroom and how to make the language usable for students of all ages
• recording with the ipad for quick assessment
• strategies for holding myself and my students accountable for what they are learning and creating in the art room
• engage and persist can be a way to think about behavior in a positive way
• about some fun and creative resources to help with assessing my students
• how students demonstrate their learning through a hands-on project (pinhole cameras)
• even a quick 60-second movement can benefit across the school day
• how to clearly describe different standards and allow students to have an important part in the grading process
• some quick and effective ways to assess students on the fly in the elementary music setting, and how to score and record them.
• all about the site: http://www.maineartsassessment.com/, I LOVE IT. Need to spend loads of time there.

The above list includes just some of the feedback from November 25. If this is information that you’d like to learn more about please be sure and attend another Mega-regional workshop that is planned for this school year. The dates and locations are below and the link to the registration is http://mainearts.maine.gov/Pages/Education/MAAI-Mega-Regionals-2014-2015#

• Friday, March 6, 2015 Aroostook county (to be announced)
• Friday, March 13, 2015 Oxford Hills Middle School, South Campus
• Thursday, April 2, 2015 UMaine, Orono
• Friday, April 3 University of Southern Maine, Portland
  5.5 contact hours are being provided for all-day participation at each Mega