Summer Theatre Courses UMaine

Learning opportunities

MALI Mega-Regional Conferences

Great learning opportunities

USM Portland MALI Mega participants – 4 January 2017

Last Wednesday at USM, Portland in the semi – storm (that almost prevented us from gathering) the Maine Arts Leadership Initiative (MALI) conference took place. It was a successful day for presenters and participants. Thanks to those who braved the storm and made it safely to and fro.

If you didn’t attend there are four more MALI Megas coming up in the next 3 months. The next one is at UMaine, Orono on Thursday, February 2. Yup, that’s Groundhog day. The Maine Arts Commission is pleased to offer these following learning opportunities for educators across the state. Click on the live links for details and registration.

MALI Teacher Samantha Armstrong, Paris Elementary School & Hebron Elementary
Schools, Visual Art

MALI Mega – Regional Dates and Locations and Links to information and registering

• Thursday, February 2, 2017 UMaine, Orono – Registration is available!
• Friday, March 17, 2017 Hebron Station School, Hebron (Oxford Hills) – Registration is available!
• Wednesday, March 22, 2017 Easton Schools, Aroostook County – More info coming!
• Wednesday, April 26, 2017 UMaine, Orono (Theatre) – Registration is available!

Schedule

• 8:30 a.m. Registration begins
• 9:00 a.m. Opening and Morning Sessions
• 9:15 – 10:30 a.m. Breakout Session I
• 10:30 – 10:40 a.m. Break
• 10:40 – 11:55 a.m. Breakout Session II
• 11:55 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. Lunch, participants on their own
• 12:45 – 1:20 p.m. Artist Showcase
• 1:25 – 2:40 p.m. Session III Maine Arts Education Census Survey
• 2:40 – 3:00 p.m. Closing

SESSIONS – pick one from each time slot

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.

 

Mega Regional Conference UMaine Orono

Maine 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.

Registration Open: MAAI Mega UMaine, Orono

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.

The information for Mega UMaine, Orono is located at http://mainearts.maine.gov/Pages/Education/MAAI-Mega-Regionals-UMaine-Orono.

Once you read through the details, you can determine which workshop you’d like to attend for Session I and Session II. To complete your registration please click on this link http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07ea1grfwqi1s5vizl/a014xi1tyq8jt/questions.

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

 

Art Works!

Students, grades K-8, UMaine Orono

Application deadline: October 3rd

ArtWorks!, an art program for students in grades K through 8, provides children an opportunity to explore the world of art through hands-on experiences with a variety of visual media, the history of art, and the viewing of art works.

The fall ArtWorks! session will run for five consecutive weeks with classes held on Friday afternoons from 3:30-5:00 in Lord Hall on the University of Maine campus, beginning October 17th and continuing through November 14th.

Parents or guardians are responsible for their children’s transportation to and from the program. Classes will begin promptly at 3:30 and conclude at 5:00 sharp. For safety, students will not be allowed to leave the classroom until the pre-designated adult has come to the room to pick him or her up.

Class sections are organized by age or grade level, and are limited to 22 students per group. Acceptance into the program will be on a first-come-first-serve basis. A list of alternates will be kept in case of vacancies.

A $25. course fee will be charged for the fall session to cover the costs of materials used during the classes. The course fee must be paid on or before the first day of classes. Checks should be made out to the University of Maine. A limited number of scholarships are available.

♥ All ArtWorks! classes are taught by Art Education students, under the close supervision of Dr. Constant Albertson. ArtWorks! is a lab school designed to provide future art teachers the opportunity to develop the skills necessary for success in their future classrooms. To facilitate this, we ask parents and Ed. Techs to stay outside the classroom during the ArtWorks! sessions. They are welcome to sit in the lobby area where they will be close at hand should their assistance be needed, but we ask that the art education students be given a chance to succeed as independent teachers. As this will be the students’ first formal teaching experience it is important that it be as realistic as possible. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

♥ Art classes will take place on the second and third floors of Lord Hall. There is an elevator to all floors and the bathrooms are accessible. Art Education students will contact you prior to the first class to give you your child(ren)’s room number(s).

FOR MORE INFORMATION and an application, contact Constant Albertson at 581-3251 or the Dept. of Art, Lord Hall, at 581-3245 or by e-mail: constant.albertson@umit.maine.edu.

Opening Session Presentation NCAS

Maine Arts Educators will get first-hand info on the National Core Arts Standards

We fortunate that Lynn Tuttle from the Department of Education in Arizona is traveling to Maine for the statewide biennial arts education conference! Lynn’s session is titled Maine and the National Core Arts Standards.

The National Coalition for Core Arts Standards is a group committed to the development of the next generation of arts education standards. Maine educators have reviewed drafts of the PreK-8 standards and have provided feedback to the writing teams. Presently the draft of the high school standards are being reviewed by the public. You have until October 21 to do so. The draft is located at http://nccas.wikispaces.com/.

Lynn Tuttle, one of the national leaders coordinating the revision of the National Standards in the Arts, will present the context and history behind the revision as well as describe the process of revising the standards. The goal of the presentation and discussion is to provide the Maine arts education community with an overview of the context and purpose of the standards as well as an opportunity to have questions answered about the current NCAS draft.

Lynn will also do a follow-up workshop for those who wish to continue the discussion from the opening session called More on the National Core Arts Standards. And the description:             Want to know more about the National Core Arts Standards? Wondering how the proposed standards may influence and support high quality teaching and learning in the arts? If so, this follow-up session with the presenter Lynn Tuttle, Director of Arts Education, Arizona Department of Education, facilitated by Bronwyn Sale, Lecturer in Education at Bates College, will provide the opportunity for participants to ask questions in an interactive discussion format.

Along with the opening session there are over 30 workshops to select from to attend during the day.

You can register for the conference at https://tickets.collinscenterforthearts.org/. The $80 registration cost includes lunch. PLEASE NOTE: No purchase orders will be accepted.

You can learn about the workshops being offered at https://mainearts.maine.gov/Pages/Media-and-Performing/conference-education-workshops or Friday’s blog post.

If you have questions please email me at argy.nestor@maine.gov.

Pick 3 Workshops!

So many great workshops to attend – select 3!

Have you been asked by your administrator to identify what how you will measure, document, or perhaps track students to determine if they can meet the proficiency graduation requirement starting with next years freshman class? Or maybe you are transitioning to a standards-based student-centered classroom? Or perhaps you’re interested in expanding your thinking on formative assessment? These are just some of the questions being addressed by the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative teacher leaders in the workshops being presented on October 24 at the Arts Education: Leading the Way conference being held at UMaine, Orono, Collins Center for the Arts.

You can register for the biennial statewide conference by clicking here https://tickets.collinscenterforthearts.org/.

You can go to the blog post called How Do I Register for the Conference at https://meartsed.wordpress.com/2013/10/02/how-do-i-register-for-the-conference/ that I posted on October 2 for step-by-step instructions that walks you through registering.

You can learn more about the conference by clicking here https://mainearts.maine.gov/.

The conference cost $80.00 and PLEASE NOTE: purchase orders will not be accepted.

If you have questions please email me at argy.nestor@maine.gov.

Starring: YOUR COLLEAGUES from across the state of Maine – presenting a variety of workshops on topics that you are curious about, needing to learn more about, and useful new ideas! The schedule has three time slots when you can attend workshops along with an opening session where Lynn Tuttle, from the Arizona Department of Education, will be providing information on the draft of the National Core Arts Standards.

I HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

Relevant and Authentic

Arts Education: Leading the Way Conference – October 24

I can’t think of two words that better describe why you should seriously consider attending the upcoming conference ARTS EDUCATION: LEADING THE WAY on October 24 at UMaine, Collins Center for the Arts. Relevant and Authentic – YOUR colleagues have created workshops that are both relevant and authentic to the work you do each day in arts classrooms.

There are 35 workshops to select from which are being presented by YOUR colleagues from throughout Maine. The Maine Arts Assessment Initiative’s teacher leaders have been working to put together the following 35 different workshops:

• It’s Hard to Pick Your Nose When You are Clapping Your Hands – The Importance
  of Music in Early Childhood!
• Standards-based Proficiency Data Made Manageable
• The Choreography of Turning it On
• Do We All Speak the Same Language?
• LD 1422: Implementing Maine’s Proficiency Based Graduation Requirement
• Empowering Students Through Assessment Techniques and Strategies
• Digital Portfolios: Organizing curriculum and student work to show growth and proficiency
• Progressive Assessments and Creativity
• Assessing Student Performance in Your Classroom
• “Dancing on With/On the Dark Side”
• More on the National Core Arts Standards
• Guerilla Advocacy-Embracing shameless promotion on behalf of students and Arts programs
• TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER: School Leaders- YOU CAN support Arts Education in the 21st Century!
• “All The World’s A Stage”
• Literacy – A Gateway to Creativity
• Benefits of a Student-Centered Classroom
• Rappin’ Differentiation Instruction
• Learning Through Doing – Using Theatre games to enhance lessons across the curriculum
• Including Reflection in Formative Assessment
• Controlling the Chaos: The world of student-centered education
• Working Backwards from a Great Art Lesson to Standards and Assessment
• From Overwhelmed to in Control: Power Standards Help Connect the Dots
• Visual Journaling: A Pathway to Reflective Self-Assessment
• Thirty Eight Years of Teaching and Still a Rubric Virgin?
• Stick Figures and Finger Painting – Dispelling myths about elementary art programs
• You life it? I love it! Strategies for successful art critiques with K-5 Elementary Art students
• Maine Learning Results: Guiding your Ensemble Curriculum
• Monitoring Arts Students’ Progress in Meeting Graduations Standards
• Back to Basics: How to create learning targets and I CAN statements
• Deep Scuba Thinking: Development of Vocabulary Literate Musicians
• Gifted and Talented in Music Education
• Big Journeys Begin with Small Steps
• Going Beyond the Activity: Assessing the MLRs: Three C’s (Creativity, Criticism, & Connections)
• iPad, uPad, We All Scream for iPads!

Along with the outstanding workshops the morning presentation will be on the National Core Arts Standards with Lynn Tuttle who has been co-leading the development of the work. We are fortunate to have Lynn joining us for the day. Along with her presentation to the group she will be offering a follow-up session. Learn more about the draft standards AND provide your feedback on the draft.

See photos of the teacher leaders with a description of each workshop by clicking here.

See the schedule for the day by clicking here.

Register by clicking here. PLEASE NOTE: School purchase orders are NOT being accepted. The cost of the conference is $80.00 for the day which includes lunch.

Please consider inviting your administrator (principal, superintendent and/or curriculum leader) to attend since there are several workshops that are filled with information for them as well.

The day will be worthwhile and provide you with “food for thought”, opportunities to connect with colleagues from across the state, and ideas for practical application in your classrooms and schools!

If you have questions please don’t hesitate to email me at argy.nestor@maine.gov.

The Arts Education conference is in conjunction with the Maine International Conference on the Arts (MICA) being sponsored by the Maine Arts Commission and held on October 25 and 26. For information on the MICA conference please click here.

 

Arts Education: Leading the Way Conference

October 24, 2013, UMaine, Orono, Collins Center for the Performing Arts

After last weeks “dry-run” for the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative Teacher Leaders to present their workshops for each other and an invited group of “critical friends” at USM, I got to thinking about how fortunate we are in Maine. Not only are Arts educators willing to share their teaching practices but they are sharing formally at the statewide conference Arts Education: Leading the Way.

Teacher leaders and critical friends at USM for dry-run of workshops that will be included in the statewide Arts Education: Leading the Way conference being held October 24, 2013, UMaine

I am excited that the conference will be held on the UMaine campus, Orono, Collins Center for the Performing Arts. Our last conferences were very exciting. In 2007 it was held at the Samoset in Rockport, 2009 at Point Lookout in Northport, 2011 at USM, Portland campus, and this year we travel a little farther north to the University’s flagship campus. Each year the workshop offerings have become more varied and go deeper into teaching and learning. You can read the topics and short descriptions of the 35 workshops being offered by downloading the .pdf of the workshops at  https://mainearts.maine.gov/Pages/Media-and-Performing/conference-education-workshops. You can even see photos of the workshop presenters.

In addition to the 35 workshops being offered during three sessions the Opening Session will include performances by the UMaine Symphonic band, a welcome from the Dean of Arts and Sciences, Jeff Hecker, and an informative presentation by Lynn Tuttle, the Director of Arts Education at the Arizona Department of Education. Lynn has been leading the National Coalition for Core Arts Standards and will provide a history of the national standards development. Read more about Lynn and her presentation at this link https://mainearts.maine.gov/Pages/Media-and-Performing/Conference-Keynotes#. As many of you know the draft of the PreK-grade 8 standards was released in June for feedback. The draft of the high school standards are scheduled for release in September so we are really fortunate to have Lynn join us to share information as well as answer questions. We are fortunate to have the University Singers perform during the afternoon closing session.

The conference registration is located at . Cost for the conference which includes lunch is $75.00 until September 15 when it goes up to $80.00. (Please note: school purchase orders will not be accepted this year). In addition conference attendees receive 6 contact hours at no extra cost.

On Friday, October 25 and Saturday, October 26 the Maine International Conference on the Arts will take place in the same location. The conference will offer keynotes, showcasing artists and over 25 workshop sessions, including workshops at the new U Maine Innovative Media Research and Commercialization Center. You can read about both conferences at https://mainearts.maine.gov/Pages/Media-and-Performing/MICA-LANDING.

To register for each conference please go to https://mainearts.maine.gov/Pages/Media-and-Performing/Conference-Register#. There are scholarships available and you will find information and details on the registration page.

I suggest that you take a few minutes and check out the information from page to page on the Maine Arts Commission site where all the details are included. I hope to see you there!

Art in the Heart

Art teachers travel from a distance to attend the first Art in the Heart meeting of the school year

Thirty two art educators traveled to UMaine Orono for the first Art in the Heart meeting of the school year. The meetings provide an update for teachers but so much more is gained. The importance of taking the time to connect face-to-face is invaluable. The conversations are brief but meaningful. The farthest traveled is Millinocket, the closest is from Orono. The distance doesn’t matter when folks can connect with colleagues who share so many of the same experiences in their schools across Maine.

Thank you to UMaine arts professors Laurie Hicks and Connie Carter for hosting the meeting on campus.

Waterville High School’s Suzanne Goulet and Belfast High School’s Heidi O’Donnell engage in conversation after the meeting.