Engaging

Lately I have a been having a lot of conversations about "Engaging" and how we do it, both in the classroom and outside of it. Outside: conferences we attend, seminars, webinars or is just getting together with friends and colleagues. Inside: what is we do with our students and the connections we make together. Because, there are many days I learn just as much with them I teach them and this even takes place with my colleagues. Like yesterday I attended the first day as a presenter at this years Michigan Art Education Conference in Kalamazoo, MI. This past spring I came up with an idea of how to change an old practice that is done in the art room, the making of Paper Mache' and Paper Pulp. I married the two into one substance. Well, I presented it and I was just amazed what happen, they took my idea and ran with with it, making comments how this we be so easy to incorporate into their classrooms. I was so happy and can't wait to see what will happen today when I present. But, I did one more thing when I was there, I released a document I've been working on called, Artist Career Guide. I've receiving all this information from various institutions on how the potential careers available for artists. I kept thinking to myself there is a bigger idea here. So, I began researching, scanning, typing and this is what I can up with. It is a living document that I am asking each and everyone to make a contribution to, borrow it, share it, steal it, put your name on it. Just do me one favor and please give me credit creating it. I feel the engagement I am talking about does not stop in the classroom and even out of the classroom, it continues forever and what I/we do as educators and professionals will make a difference in peoples lives forever. It doesn't have a be a student that we inspire, it can be anyone. Stop trying to think outside the box and start thinking outside the building. Think about it when we are outside the building and the wide open space you are in. Outside the box, "ok." Outside the building, "Amazing." Have a wonderful day and allow the creative spirit to run freely through your mind, body, and soul.

Making Connections

Lately one of the things I've been working on is how to connect State and National standards to the Neurodevelopmental Constructs within my lessons. I feel it is important to teach the the Elements of Art and the Principles of Design but, how many art teachers give credence to how they affect our students? Some be asking what are the constructs? They deal with different areas of the mind and how it works: Attention, TSO (Temporal Sequential Ordering), Spatial Ordering, Memory, Language. Neuromotor Functions, Social Cognition, Higher Order Cognition and Sensory. Each one of these has several sub categories to them which you can research by Googling the Constructs. But, for me the fun doesn't stop there. As I kept diving deeper into the subject, I thought how do the Standards and Constructs mesh with the 7-steps of Design Thinking, which is a huge part of my teaching philisophy. You may be thinking, "Oh my God. this is to much." But is it really? And, is there a Bigger Idea here?!?! The 7-Steps of Design Thinking are: Define, Research, Ideation, Prototype, Objective, Implement and Learn (depending on which site you look at the wording may different but, they still work in the same matter). So how do these three areas come together to create a curriculum that helps not only us but our students on many levels. Start with the Design steps. When you start you have to define your problem the lesson, how you deliver it and how the students receive it. At this point what part of the "Brain" are you asking your students to engage. This is important because everyone one of us engage's in a different way. What if one of your student's has low Memory retention, or, another has severe ADD or ADHD which will affect their Attention. We have to adjust the lesson immediately to keep everyone at the same place. Think of it like this: if you were to create a three column chart with the 7-Steps of Design Thinking on the left the Neurodevelopmental Constructs in the middle and the Standards on the Right (which is the goal we are after) these three areas "will" intersect on several occasions or many times crossing back and forth. I have found the greater my understanding for the Neurodevelopmental Constructs the more successful the outside two columns of the chart have become. Why is this important? I feel it creates a learning atmosphere where no one falls through the cracks, it helps students to recognize their strengths and areas that need further work. I'm not saying everyone is going to become a artist but, they will develop skills that foster a better learning environment for them. I don't care what we do in life but, when the fun is removed and it becomes work we tend to mentally disengage. Think about your students and what they are going through. What if one of them has trouble with their Social Cognition and the teacher just perceives them a quiet student who just sits there? I hope this has peaked your interest to learn more about yourself and how this thinking affects you, cause in my opinion (yes, I occasionally have one) this is where it starts. As I dive deeper into this subject I post charts and research to let you know about it. So, may the creative spirit run through your blood freely causing mass chaos with your thoughts!! Have a great day!

Another

Tomorrow starts my second year at the school I'm currently working at and I have to say, though it has been a very relaxing day the excitement is building in me. I've been researching all summer, watching other artist perfect their craft and was even given the chance to teach gifted children this summer. What's the difference between all of that and the students I work with everyday? Nothing! Learning new techniques and methods from my colleagues has only sparked the fire within me. I got to work with several professionals this summer and we all agreed: we believe the level of our students works is because of what we except from ourselves. You may say, that is kind of arrogant to make that statement. The friends I am speaking of all became artist first and teachers' second. I think that makes a difference on how we approach a lesson. I think it is important to take our students through the process or art. Not just come sit down in class and mass produced product to justify mine, theirs and your existence. The arts are so important to everyone and to think some actually have forgotten that, sad. For me its the other side of the spectrum. My idea machine is up and running, and I'm ready to take my students in directions they may not have thought of. Of the many things I love about being an artist and art teacher all falls under two catagories the first being: Higher Order Thinking. Within it: concept formation, critical thinking, creativity/brainstorming, problem solving, rule use, reasoning/logical thinking and mental representation. The second being: The Seven Steps of Design Thinking. Within it: define, research, ideation, prototype, objectives, implement and learn. Depending on the source that you research it may be more than seven but, usually it is seven and possibly even worded different. But, the all follow the same path in there thoughts. Anyway, check out this website to get a brief idea of it, iDesignthinking.com. Well I( have some much needed work to get done and relax for the evening. Cause tomorrow is "another" year that holds great promises and many stories to be told. Let the creativity flow freely through your body and mind, Cheers Mates!

Setting Goals

Even though I am enjoying this summer I am using this time to set personal and educational goals for myself. Since we expect our students to achieve and reach for goals, why can't I! In the area of personal goals it started with cleaning up my space/apartment. It is amazing when you start the purging of items that no longer work or have no use to me. Why did I ever keep them. And, if you ever leave the laptop world you'll be amazed by how much "stuff" you have related to it. Bye, bye! Just within my my immediate area I don't feel cluttered anymore and for someone with ADD that can become overwhelming. Yes, I love my creative side but, I need to be organized.
      But, over the last several years I have set and accomplished many goals for myself for example: changing jobs, running two marathons (oh, my left knee hates me), changing of friends (not cause I wanted to, because that is were life has taken me). These are only a few and, yes I could go on about this but you get it. So, one of the personal goals I have been working for myself this summer is my 30-Day Challenge. Why 30 you may ask or not, on an average it takes 3 to 4 weeks of a consistent behavior or change in your lifestyle for it to become a "habit", hence the 30-Day Challenge. And, this is what I've come up with. The 30-Day Mind-Body-Health Challenge, sound cliche? Of course it does. But, these areas matter to me and I would hope they do to you also. I or you in this case must chose are thing that you would like to change or improve on in that area, for example: Mind-15 minutes of mediation everyday for 30 days. This means no distractions, no electronics expect for music if I/you chose and quiet time. I think you get the point about how to pick the other two areas. Make a chart, pencil, spreadsheet or wall calendar. Whatever the method just track it and put it out where you can see it, the easier I/you make this the more successful it will be. So, are you in? I am making my trackable right here and will upload my spreadsheet or find a way to make it live on here (doesn't take much to add another tab up top for this). I have one friend doing the 100 days of summer photography challenge for herself, Kudos Mara! Think its easy try committing yourself for 100 days. Even when I trained for my two marathons that was 26 weeks of training. I think the bigger reason for this is I need some personal focus like I had in my marathon training, going back to college, etc... Well, off to get my workout in, yes it is the Body part of my challenge. Take care, do something inspiring today and most of all say "hi" to a stranger and make their day! 
Educational goal post to come. 

What have I learned?

I've been doing a lot of self-reflecting since the end of school. So, much has gone through my mind. Like I see me in the LD kids I teach. I remember being just like them and can only imagine what I put my teachers through. Well, now its me teaching them and showing them ways to overcome their LD. But, this summer is about me and getting my life organized and that is what I've learned more than anything, get organized and begin planning out my year: grade levels, projects and how they meet standards. The funny part is it I only work on this stuff for a couple hours a day and I've made amazing progress. My studio space has been cleaned and is getting organized so I create a better atmosphere for doing my work during the school year. I think that is one of the hardest things I dealt with this year. Creating my art. I decided to take steps that would help prevent that. Purging and rethinking my space is leading to more creativity. Remember my apt is my home and studio, yes jealous of those that have a dedicated studio space. Some day. Even designing my own planners which I will share soon, hope you find it useful and steal the idea. I'm good with it, we are here to help each other out every way we can. Well, more to come on a 30-day challenge I'm taking on very soon, just working out the details. My left knee won't let me do another marathon and I need something challenging. I almost have it figured out and post it. I hope other decide to take on the challenge for themselves. Until then let the creative spirit run freely through your mind and body.