Review of The Partnership for 21st Century Skills Website

My first viewing of The Partnership for the 21^st Century Skills website, especially the Route 21 section, for me was like the scene in the Wizard of Oz when Dorothy first step foot in the Technicolor world of Oz- information overload. There were so many resources, videos, and samples for educators to look at, I felt overwhelmed-but in a good way. I am glad to see dedication that is being put into helping our educational system, teachers, and students be successful in learning 21st century skills. I liked how the website explained the interconnection between the core subjects and 21st century skills and support systems. Being an Art educator, and visual learner, loved the visual of the Framework rainbow in the Route 21 section.

One piece of criticism I do have for the website is the lack of resources for the Visual Arts, Music Education, and Physical Education. Where's the love for us "specials" teachers?
I was also very sad to see that Michigan, my state, is not a "21st Century" State. The M.I.L.E. guide and the Route 21 initiative is just the type of program Michigan needs to adopt to insure our students have the skills to successful and perhaps make Michigan viable to our country's economy once again.

Artist Challenge Number 2

Draw a letter or a number and turn it into a animal or a person.

Artist Challenge Number 1

What can you create from this shape?

When this blog grows up, it wants to be....

"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination." ~Albert Einstein


Like a blank sheet of paper this blog has great potential for my classroom and my curriculum. Since I currently teach elementary art (k-5), it seems appropriate that my blog be divided into these three categories:
1) a gallery to show off student art work to share with the students, parents, and the community.
2) an index of lessons I teach ( include powerpoint presentations, links to artists and the artworks, etc I use in my class) and the benchmarks and standards that are covered.
3) an "inspiration zone" for students to go to get ideas and help if they are feeling "artist block" (maybe perhaps include links to other "kid friendly art websites")

The student art gallery is great for students to see visuals of the projects they are working on. Showing students art work also reinforces self-reflection, "What makes an artwork successful or unsuccessful?" and "How can I make my own artwork more successful?"

A lesson index is a great way for parents to see what their students are (or will be) working on and how Art teaches skills that are important to their child's education.

And the "inspiration zone" is just plan fun. As a child who loved art and being creative, I would have loved to have a source to seek inspiration from.

Guitar Design

The 5th grade classes just finished up a unit about guitar design. (Which they loved!) They studied the difference between electric and acoustic guitars and we listened to a variety of music styles that incorporated the guitar. We even had one of our members from tech department perform with his Fender!
The students had to create a guitar design for someone who does one job by day but really would like to be a rock star! I created a list of occupations (artist, football player, chef, archaeologist, etc) and the student chose one job to focus their designs on.