The Artist Woman!!!

The artist woman, also a fellow blogger, shares some great lesson plan ideas that could easily be connected to larger concepts. I came across her blog while searching the net for another class project.  Her descriptions are short and to the point- filled with photos of exemplars and student work. I think it's amazing when teachers share their work, lesson plans, and pictures with the community. Part of being a great educator is being able to educate and collaborate with other educators. She has some really great stuff...you guys should all check it out!

Here's the link:
http://thatartistwoman.blogspot.com/

"Next mayor needs arts agenda" Response

Thanks for posting this article, Devan. I don’t know too much about Chicago and its campaign and mayoral history since I just moved here, but what I found most captivating was Ronne Hartfield’s quote:

"Orchestras go out into communities to play Beethoven without any attempt to connect it to the lives of the people." Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony, for example, is "all about celebrating nature, all about celebrating the country," she said, adding, "Get [young people] to talk about their experiences with the country, so they could hear something they know in the music."

I love this quote and strongly agree with Hartfield's message. The bigger picture is addressed, rather than merely issues related to orchestras or even music in general.  This concept should be applied in every classroom. She goes on to explain that, “The arts are therapeutic and engaging.” Again, this sense of connection and therapy can be linked to many aspects of life, especially if youth are given a voice. This offers an opportunity to relate what they hear, see, feel, and do to something they actually know.

ABC's

As I was looking for the Alphabet after we got out of class last week, I came across this "Q". It was laying there on the ground in front of the Palmer Hilton on Monroe. I think it was the same earring I saw someone wear in class, but I'm not 100% sure. I'll bring it to class on Tuesday, in case it belongs to you. :)



Take Away Art and We are Left with Nothing but……..?

As for our discussion about Emily’s article today, I don’t think there needs to be a measuring tool for art.  The only question that is relevant is how has art largely affected our world in the past and still is today? Eliminate artistry and we will be left in an extremely dry society. Take the entertainment industry for instance, yes, maybe not every rapper, singer and or songwriting has went to school for their talents but you can be sure that somebody helping them succeed has- such as advertisers, producers, the filming, sound, and lighting crew, etc. The same applies to the movie and theater industries- there would be none. Great singers, rappers, actors, etc. will still exist but there will be no one to help them become seen or heard.  The list goes on: no new clothing lines without fashion designers, no clothes period without craftsmanship, no extraordinary furniture without furniture designers and carpenters, no websites without web designers, no fancy ipods, ipads, and iphones without tech designers, no improved buildings and streets of any type without architects, no infrastructure period without a skilled construction crew. Each and every one of these individuals are artists. They each have a sense of aesthetics, problem-solving, creativity………and overall a “voice”- that will never be heard unless we encourage and implement the arts in schools.

 Take away art and we are left with nothing but……..?  (Fill in the blank, your thoughts are appreciated)    

Myself Digitally

http://www.michiganhumane.org/site/PageServer