The Getty Museum Education Department gives a variety of teacher support to bring the arts into the classroom. A free Getty Teacher Update e newsletter currently offers the curriculum titled "Historical Witness, Social Messaging" which explores works of art "depicting aspects of social impulse,war, and unfair labor practices." On some lessons there are segments that include audio clips with curator interviews and features that allow the viewer to zoom into details of featured works of art.
The Education Department has another section called Teacher Programs and Resources which assists teachers in creating arts-focused lessons. They even include step by step guidance in teaching visual arts by grade level. There was a free 3 1/2 day institute for secondary-level teachers conducted July 13 - 17, 2009.
The Getty also has established the Teacher Art Exchange, an online community of teachers that discusses issues related to art education through e-mail. A new thread can be started by e-mailing a message to the listserv at teacherartexchange@lists.getty.edu.
Simply log on to The Getty Museum for more information and to sign-up for the free Getty Teacher Updates.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
21st century skills
Hi All,
I finally figured out how to do this! I've been gone for the past three weeks working with The California Arts Project. One week was leadership training and the last two were working with our participants in the institute we put on. The institute will actually meet nine more days through January, so we're only half done. Yikes.
During the course of the meetings we had a lot of lively, engaging and provocative discussion around a lot of teaching issues and processes such as academic literacy, differentiated instruction, standards and assessment and 21st century skills. All participants are writing a unit of instruction with a model demonstration lesson that will be presented throughout our next meetings. I had to present mine last week. I'm soooo glad that's over.
We read a white paper one day that was written by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills called "21st Century Learning Environments." It's a very interesting position paper which suggests that the way we look at schools and how they're set up presently for learning needs to completely change. The position really shakes up the way things presently are which, as we know are not effective. In America, students attend school on average over 1100 hours per year which students in most developed nations attend on average 701 hours per year, yet most of them outperform us on international tests. Why? What do they know or do that we don't?
This article has a lot to do with technology as part of learning in the 21st century. It discusses the type of technological infrastructures that best support the teaching and learning of 21st century skills. Technology can enhance learning in many ways on a much more in-depth level than a white board or a couple of computers in the back of the room. Among the most notable ways technology can enhance student learning and promote mastery of 21st century skills:
1. Promoting greater student achievement
2. Increasing student engagement
3. Assessing student performance
4. Facilitating communication and collaboration
5. Maximizing administrative effectiveness
6. Building student proficiencies in 21st century skills
The article gives specific descriptions as to what this looks like, and it's not a typical classroom setting as we know it. As far as technology is concerned, it reminds us that research shows time and again that tools are only as effective as the tool users, so we have to provide support for growth and development for both students and adults. This is a component that's sorely lacking for us to advance with technology in our schools.
This article is really good food for thought, but also frustrating because how and where do we begin to make the huge paradigm and pedagogical shifts that need to take place to bring us into 21st century learning?
You can look up partner for 21st century skills on line and find even more information.
See you all soon!
Robyn
I finally figured out how to do this! I've been gone for the past three weeks working with The California Arts Project. One week was leadership training and the last two were working with our participants in the institute we put on. The institute will actually meet nine more days through January, so we're only half done. Yikes.
During the course of the meetings we had a lot of lively, engaging and provocative discussion around a lot of teaching issues and processes such as academic literacy, differentiated instruction, standards and assessment and 21st century skills. All participants are writing a unit of instruction with a model demonstration lesson that will be presented throughout our next meetings. I had to present mine last week. I'm soooo glad that's over.
We read a white paper one day that was written by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills called "21st Century Learning Environments." It's a very interesting position paper which suggests that the way we look at schools and how they're set up presently for learning needs to completely change. The position really shakes up the way things presently are which, as we know are not effective. In America, students attend school on average over 1100 hours per year which students in most developed nations attend on average 701 hours per year, yet most of them outperform us on international tests. Why? What do they know or do that we don't?
This article has a lot to do with technology as part of learning in the 21st century. It discusses the type of technological infrastructures that best support the teaching and learning of 21st century skills. Technology can enhance learning in many ways on a much more in-depth level than a white board or a couple of computers in the back of the room. Among the most notable ways technology can enhance student learning and promote mastery of 21st century skills:
1. Promoting greater student achievement
2. Increasing student engagement
3. Assessing student performance
4. Facilitating communication and collaboration
5. Maximizing administrative effectiveness
6. Building student proficiencies in 21st century skills
The article gives specific descriptions as to what this looks like, and it's not a typical classroom setting as we know it. As far as technology is concerned, it reminds us that research shows time and again that tools are only as effective as the tool users, so we have to provide support for growth and development for both students and adults. This is a component that's sorely lacking for us to advance with technology in our schools.
This article is really good food for thought, but also frustrating because how and where do we begin to make the huge paradigm and pedagogical shifts that need to take place to bring us into 21st century learning?
You can look up partner for 21st century skills on line and find even more information.
See you all soon!
Robyn
Monday, July 20, 2009
A teenager's guide to Italy and Greece
It is so wonderful to travel with teenagers and see them begin to look beyond the walls of their own experiences as Americans. To really see the world without the lens of ipods, cell phones and my space! It was an honor as a teacher to be with them as they touched history in the great cities of Rome, Florence and Athens. The little things that they took for granted at home were all of a sudden a new experience when they struggled to figure out to order gelatto and find their way through narrow cobblestone streets. My art and art history students were always the first in line to wonder at the amazing art and ask the guides detailed questions. The trip was as much of a challenge as it was a life changing experience for all of us because sometimes it is the challenges that allow for the most personal growth. In the fall I plan to enlist my students to put together their own digital story on their experiences to share as a "Teenager's guide to Europe". Who knows maybe it will be our next reality show! I also wanted to share two great art resources. The first is a book, The Quotable Artist by Peggy Hadden. This book is filled with quotes from famous people on topics such as: creativity, art and nature, genius, architecture, painting, etc. I put up a different quote each week on my whiteboard and use them for discussion and writing responses. I also use the web resource www.artchive.com/ for images and art history information.
Ciao and enjoy!
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Library of Congress and Primary Sources
Hi everyone!
I hope you have had a good July! I found a website I really got excited about.
It's the Library of Congress site. I was amazed at the wealth of materials available, in so many subjects. The basic site is loc.gov. You will find Teaching with Primary Sources, Classroom materials, full lessons. Some are for elementary classes, and some for upper grades, There are great thematic units and lessons on the depression, Lincoln, women's suffrage, poetry, and literature. You can also check at memory.loc.gov/lear/lessons/theme.html. I found a great unit on the American Song. There is also a page I saved on Using Primary Sources, if I can figure out how to attach it.
See you this coming weekend.
Carol
I hope you have had a good July! I found a website I really got excited about.
It's the Library of Congress site. I was amazed at the wealth of materials available, in so many subjects. The basic site is loc.gov. You will find Teaching with Primary Sources, Classroom materials, full lessons. Some are for elementary classes, and some for upper grades, There are great thematic units and lessons on the depression, Lincoln, women's suffrage, poetry, and literature. You can also check at memory.loc.gov/lear/lessons/theme.html. I found a great unit on the American Song. There is also a page I saved on Using Primary Sources, if I can figure out how to attach it.
See you this coming weekend.
Carol
Friday, July 17, 2009
Hi! from Rosemary
Hi Gals!
How's everyone doing? How are your vacations going? I just returned from Lake Tahoe and if you've never been there, believe me, you need to go! That lake is gorgeous, varying shades of blue with tall evergreens coming down to the shoreline and the temp. was 70 - 73 F. Terrific! It was so relaxing.
Now that I'm back, I am a bit stressed over our current assignments. I'll probably be bugging you for help. I had a great time interviewing my Dad. He regaled me with stories from his 20's and I have so much info. it's a bit disconcerting to try to select one topic. Hope you are all having fun with your interviews.
Bye for now!
Blessings!
Rosemary
How's everyone doing? How are your vacations going? I just returned from Lake Tahoe and if you've never been there, believe me, you need to go! That lake is gorgeous, varying shades of blue with tall evergreens coming down to the shoreline and the temp. was 70 - 73 F. Terrific! It was so relaxing.
Now that I'm back, I am a bit stressed over our current assignments. I'll probably be bugging you for help. I had a great time interviewing my Dad. He regaled me with stories from his 20's and I have so much info. it's a bit disconcerting to try to select one topic. Hope you are all having fun with your interviews.
Bye for now!
Blessings!
Rosemary
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Website to Promote Student Interest
One of the most valuable websites for lesson planning and capturing students' attention is www.unitedstreaming.com. This is the place to find short introductry videos to any topic under the sun-science, history, art, math... Students are so visually stimulated now a days with computers and television, the short videos really help students to become excited and interested in the new subject matter. Also helpful for the visual learners. The videos can range from a few minutes to lengthy features. The website also provides extensive lesson plans on any subject. This site is both beneficial to teachers and to students.
Most schools have a subscription but individuals can become a member for a fee. There is also a 30 day trail for those interested.
ALA's Best Websites for Teaching and Learning
The American Association of School Librarians has just put out their recommendations for the top 25 websites for teaching and learning. Their criteria? Free websites that "foster the qualities of innovation, creativity, active participation, and collaboration." 
Monday, July 6, 2009
web site for 1st graders
This is a web site I use frequently when in the computer lab with my students. It has many levels and is terrific for ELL students. Once I've taught my class how to get to this site, it's a place they can go after their computer assignment is finished.
www.starfall.com
You can also check out my class website that has many links to terrific sites for students and parents.
http://teacherweb.com/CA/TonyTobinElementarySchool/Han/
www.starfall.com
You can also check out my class website that has many links to terrific sites for students and parents.
http://teacherweb.com/CA/TonyTobinElementarySchool/Han/
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Go Back in Time "Underground Railroad"
Hey Nutty Nine.... I wanted to share a GREAT teacher friendly website that allows you and your students to go back in time and experience what life was like for a slave in the 1800's. The website is:
http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/bhistory/underground_railroad/
Students will follow a young slave as he flees a Kentucky plantation for Canada along the Underground Railroad. Along the way, they can read or listen to the runaway slave describe his terrifying journey from slavery to freedom. They'll discover what life was like as a slave, encounter the dangers of the Underground Railroad, meet brave abolitionists who took great risks to help runaways, and compare life in the North and South. It is a wonderful resource to use when you are teaching a unit about slavery. This website is really interactive and the kids will enjoy clicking on the various icons that will allow them to explore other areas of interest. There is also a teacher's corner that helps you with lesson plan ideas to help you teach this unit. Having technology such as a mimio system set up in my classroom has allowed me to project this website on my classroom whiteboard and take the virtual tour of the escape with the whole class. We were all able to experience it together and we clicked on each icon and discussed all the topics that were brought up such as: "Slave masters", "Big house", "Conductors", and "Stations". This website REALLY brought my lesson to LIFE and I highly recommend it to any teacher! :)
http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/bhistory/underground_railroad/
Students will follow a young slave as he flees a Kentucky plantation for Canada along the Underground Railroad. Along the way, they can read or listen to the runaway slave describe his terrifying journey from slavery to freedom. They'll discover what life was like as a slave, encounter the dangers of the Underground Railroad, meet brave abolitionists who took great risks to help runaways, and compare life in the North and South. It is a wonderful resource to use when you are teaching a unit about slavery. This website is really interactive and the kids will enjoy clicking on the various icons that will allow them to explore other areas of interest. There is also a teacher's corner that helps you with lesson plan ideas to help you teach this unit. Having technology such as a mimio system set up in my classroom has allowed me to project this website on my classroom whiteboard and take the virtual tour of the escape with the whole class. We were all able to experience it together and we clicked on each icon and discussed all the topics that were brought up such as: "Slave masters", "Big house", "Conductors", and "Stations". This website REALLY brought my lesson to LIFE and I highly recommend it to any teacher! :)
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