Tech is the New Black

Tech is the New Black

So I found an article about integrating technology into the classroom from my Twitter feed.  

(It’s amazing where a few clicks can take you when you start playing on the internet.....and where a few hours can go!?!?)

Granted, I am an art teacher and we typically don’t use a whole lot of technology unless it’s graphic design or using the Smartboard for a demo, but I promised that I would seriously attempt to integrate the 21st Century Skills and technology more into my classroom flow.  

This chart is really eye-opening when it comes to the differences and sad to say, I have seen more teachers in the left column than the right.  More PDs please!  

I think a lot of us know that we need to do this, we just don’t really know how.  

Either (A) we don’t know how it works and are afraid to figure it out on our own; and/or (B) don’t know how to apply/implement/manage the usage in the classroom.  So those who are willing to attempt all the tech usage are doing their best; their best just happens to be in the left column.

So......solutions and next steps:

Wouldn’t it be nice if.....

1. Apple hosted a big conference and made us be the students.  We used the technology and apps to learn and create something by the end.  
2. District’s hosted PD’s on exactly what they are looking for in the classroom instead of telling us the basics and letting us figure it out/screw up on our own.  (Example:  “Okay folks, I heard 21st Century Skills are the NEW BLACK, so let’s do that, OK and GO!!”)  
3. Have a few model by example.  Have one designated teacher within each school to be the Tech Leader.  He/She has to teach ALL the teachers and staff how to use all the technology.  No excuses!  Teachers are held accountable for learning it AND performing a test/quiz at the end.  Of course, Phase II would be holding each teacher accountable for implementing ONE, just one, techie practice and using it consistently.  
4. Communication to the Community (parents) could be more efficient, instant and effective.  Alerts and messages could be like texts, Parents could log in at THEIR convenience and touch base regarding Homework, Expectations, Documentation and just what the heck is going on.

I am a total fan of technology, I know my students are also!  And yes, I am going to do my best and try to live on the right side of the column.  

Chart/Image came from this website:

http://edudemic.com/2013/04/integrate-technology-in-education/

Kitchen Makeover 2013

If you’ve never taken down wallpaper before and plan on doing so for a project, give yourself plenty of time!  It took us about 3 days for this project.  Your motivation and excitement might still be there, but the feeling in your little fingers and in your shoulders won’t!  Just take everything in moderation, pace yourself, and you will be just fine.

Materials that we used:

Tiger Claw from Perspectives in Lexington KY.

DIF, scrapers (1” and 6”), sandpaper foam blocks from Home Depot

DIF in the blue bottle is AMAZING!! 

The fabric softner I used was the second to last cheapest I could find, I didn’t want to spend a lot of money if it wasn’t going to work.  Man was I wrong!  That stuff was awesome!  The best part.... when I went back and sandpapered the walls and wiped them down, the smell came back and made everything smell really fresh and clean.  

Watch this guy for a tutorial:  

How to remove wallpaper Quickly and Easily

I had to spackle a few holes and blemishes.  Then smoothed them out with the sandpaper.

The color of paint we selected was Amazon Stone by Behr.  (Actually, it was my Husband’s choice, I wanted to go lighter; but I am really happy with it and glad I listened to him!)  We got the paint and primer in one for the first coat and then just the color for the second coat.  I highly recommend this on walls that have never had a layer of paint on them.  

We used your typical rollers, a medium-size hand brush and then a little brush for the edges and details.  Standing on the kitchen counters trying to paint the little edge above the cabinets was a real pain in the neck (literally), but it was completely worth it!

For the kitchen light fixture, I used Rust-o-leum Metallic in Carbon Mist.  Yes folks, that is the original light fixture.  I am not one to voluntarily get electrocuted, so I was NOT going to mess with any wires.  But spray paint, no worries, I got this!

The Backsplash behind the stove is Fasade 18 in. x 24 in. PVC Traditional 1 Backsplash in Brushed Nickel

I also bought new light switch covres and outlet covers and spray painted them with the Carbon Mist Spray Paint, to match of course!

Yellow Bowl on the table is from Marshalls  Thanks Mom!!

The whole project was a lot of fun, grueling at times, but I love my new kitchen AND the fact that I did it!!

DIY Fake Stone Wall

Title:  How to make a Stone Facade out of Insulation Foam Board.

Materials:  

• 4 x 8 sheets of insulation foam board (Lowe’s or Home Depot) Make sure to get the kind that does NOT have the foil on the back.  They had to cut the original size into thirds just so it would fit in my car, but they were more than happy to do so.
• meter stick
• straight edge
• marker
• jigsaw
• knife
• spray paint (we used “stone” colors: grey, tan and black)
• hot glue gun
• glue gun sticks
• wooden column was made by our math class with 2x4’s, plywood and nails.  

Step One and Two:  Decide on the sizes of “stone” you want to cut.  We picked a variety of 18”, 12” and 6”.  Let’s take 12” to start as an example.  From the foam board, measure out 12” sections.  (The width is going to be 12”, but the length can be whatever, kinda like a bookmark.)

Step Two:  With the jigsaw, cut on the lines.

Step Three:  One the new 12” section, measure out every 3”.

Step Four:  Using the straight edge, draw your lines at every 3”.

Step Five:  Use a jigsaw to cut on the lines and make a lot of 3” x 12” sections.

Step Six:  With a knife, create a textured edge.  We trimmed off just the corners of one side and moved our write to create a more dramatic texture effect.  We even flicked or *popped* our wrist (like popping a tab off a pop can) to create an even MORE textured effect.  Let’s just say we were going for LOTS of texture.

Step Seven:  Spray paint your textured edges with your selected colors.

Step Eight:  Use the hot glue gun to put glue on the bottoms of your “stone” and stack them on top of each other.  We even placed glue on the backs of a few to keep the tower of foam stone attached to the wood column.  

Museum @ TLC - CSIP Plan

One of the best things about working in a school that is so "new" is that you get to be really involved in the growth and the foundations of the programs and "goings-on".  One of the major components of our school is our Museum.  Now whenever someone comes to me and asks for a mission statement, or asks "What is your goal with the Museum?" ....  It never fails, I always have something different to say.  Every. Time.

That's probably because (1) our school/Museum/ideas are always growing  (2) depends on the current student-led project going on at the time (3) who (teacher or community) am I collaborating with  (4) what day of the week it is.   Seriously.

So, I organized a CSIP Plan for the Museum that our school can use long after I'm gone.  (OK, I was asked to complete a CSIP Plan, but I am pretty excited about it and it does help to get all your ideas in writing, so to speak.)  

Now, instead of depending on the day of the week, I can share my CSIP Plan with you and you can get a good idea of where we're going!

Gallery Showing: Calendar Art Competition

Gallery Showing

Calendar Art Competition entries are currently on display at the Lyric Theatre and cultural Arts Center located at 300 E. Third Street.  The Lyric is open Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

All students are invited to a reception and gallery showing in their honor on April 26.

Come and support our students!  We have three entries on display at this Exhibit!  Congrats to our students and good luck in the Calendar Art Competition!

A list of selected artists for the 2013-2014 FCPS calendar will be emailed to principals and art teacher.

Grad Admissions Paper

Well, I have decided to apply for Grad School at Georgetown College here in Kentucky.  Hopefully, in the fall I will get to begin my journey of college, again. (I think this will be my 3rd time going back after a break, it took me 12 years just to get my 2 B.A. degress; single working mom, priorities people).  But I am excited, I am ready to challenge myself a little bit, in conceptual thinking, in conversations, etc.  Plus, to have my Masters!  What an accomplishment!  

Here is my paper that I submitted for my application process.  There were 4 questions that we had to answer, hopefully I answered them and didn’t just ramble on....

..........................................................................................................................................................

This letter of Intent to Apply is for the Teacher Leader Program for Gifted and Talented at Georgetown College. This letter has been submitted electronically and is the original work of the sender.

Dear Ms. Andrea Peach and the Graduate Admissions Committee,

!
Remember the teacher in high school who didn’t make you feel like a robot, like just another worksheet, just another test. They actually acted like a real person, they would tell jokes, they would laugh, they would get flustered. More than that though, they could laugh with you and have a real conversation one minute, then have a conversation with you and teach you something about your classwork and you didn’t notice a shift, a change in their presence. They were real, your relationship was real and their passion for the classwork was real. You appreciated the fact that you had a real person as a teacher who didn’t throw a powerpoint up, hand out a worksheet as you hopelessly tried to stay awake. You appreciated the fact that they cared, not only about their assignment, but about you. You were engaged, you present, you were learning.

I didn’t notice I had become that teacher until my later years at college. I would get together with my study group and review for an exam, all of us piled together in the basement of the library. We would bring any and all notes that we had collected over the weeks and then go over everything together. Most of my notes had my signature abbreviated writing plus drawings and descriptions. I actually enjoyed those study sessions more than anything because I could describe and explain something through drawings and a conversation more than anyone’s notes. I loved the act of teaching more than the actual material we were covering and it dawned on me.... I finally realized how I could turn what I loved into a profession. I was a teacher.

Fastforward ump-teen (cough cough) years later and I am presently a 3rd year Art and Humanities Instructor for Fayette County Public Schools. I have been teaching at The Learning Center (TLC) where I am also the Museum Director. As Museum Director, I collaborate with teachers and students regarding products, projects and Museum Exhibits that present an andragogical approach to learning.

This past fall, we collaborated with the Northside YMCA regarding their Fall Festival. They wanted something that could not only be scary for Halloween but also provide an educational experience for their visitors. I directed and led a school-wide event where all disciplines had a connection and an activity within the program. The YMCA was more than thrilled and we have been invited back to support the educational enhancements for the YMCA summer program.

I was the Testing Supervisor for the ACT Spring 2013. This included implementing the TCA software program for our students, supporting testing strategies within all classrooms, training staff and coordinating the testing event.

I also collaborated on our EcoArt Grant that we have received two years in a row for our Metal Sculpture Outdoor Learning Center area which we are creating with the support of local artist, Erika Strecker, and the University of Kentucky.

I am also the Teacher Leader in a district-wide initiative called Tom’s Squad. Two students and myself meet with Dr. Shelton and other school groups to discuss, implement and manage student-led programs for support and change within our schools.

!
I am interested in becoming a Teacher Leader to develop my professional skills to enhance and support my own teaching, students’ learning and parent/teacher relationships as well as enhance and support learning for my school and colleagues. I have always been interested in the Gifted and Talented aspect of instruction and would like to be that Leader in our school that supports the Gifted and Talented students, program and implementation in the classroom.

My recent professional development goals and activities have been the collaboration with the YMCA regarding a revised summer camp curriculum. I have recently applied for a Bluegrass Writing Camp with another TLC teacher with the goals of implementing a challenging writing program within the classrooms. My Professional Growth Plan states my interest, goals, action and outcomes regarding identifying, tracking, supporting and challenging the Gifted and Talented students in our school. I have also been connecting with teachers from other schools to develop collaboration and products for Museum Exhibits.

Ashley Baker