Kentucky Center Academies for Arts Integration

One thing that always helped me through school was to connect sketches and drawings to what we were learning in class.  Teachers didn't necessarily incorporate that stuff, it was all textbooks and writing on paper, but my papers including sketches in the margins.  That's how I could make sense of the content (and yes, I could still draw you my example of a lever arm).  

I am very excited to have the opportunity to attend a Kentucky Academy that focuses on Arts Integration next week.  One, for my own professional development and two, to bring back some materials and ideas for my school.  

I also get to share this weeklong experience with one my colleagues and friends, Lianne!  

Next week will include posts regarding this Academy as well as how it all fits together for the AH Program Review.

Check out an article here for more info on Arts Integration and here for the Academy info!

It's a G.I.R.L.!

I am so happy to share that we recently added to our family!  Since the loss of Bailey, things have been way too manageable and quiet around our house, hahahaha, so we decided to adopt another German Shepherd.  She is so precious, so playful and all paws and teeth at the moment.  Still trying to play around with names for her, first it was Sophia, then Lexie, still Lexie at the moment, but we'll see.

I have officially titled this week (and probably next week) Camp Potty Training.  Bradley has been gone to two different camps since summer started and since he is finally home and we are potty training the 2 youngest (my 2 year old and the puppy), it is officially Camp Potty Training week/s.

Next week Mom gets to babysit while I work, so cheers to you Mom!!  I will have to take you to Malone's for this one!!

(puppy at 7 weeks)

(fav place to sleep, on the cool vent)

Arts and Humanities Program Review

Even though my school isn't exactly evaluated on this, I still like to stay on top of our district's expectations and goals.  This Program Review is technically for all schools in Fayette County and I recently went through and put the District's 20 page document into my own cliff notes, cough cough, only 3 pages thank you.  The District's version can be found here, my version can be found here.

One thing that I like to do is read through at the beginning of the year, and then once a month throughout the school year and just document evidence of the things I've done (pertaining to the cliff notes) and also schedule things for the future.

Feel free to use yourself or share what you've done to cover some of the items!

I will be double checking and posting my evidence here on the blog for others to see and for myself as documentation.

Portfolio 2014

I know professionally it is always a good idea to have an updated portfolio of the work you've done, awards and recognitions, etc.  It is also very personally uplifting to reflect back and see all you've accomplished, like opening a family photo album that brings back fond memories. 

I recently updated my portfolio and it was exciting!  Updating resumes are always painful, but the rest is a lot of fun!  In this portfolio, I included a Letter of Intro, 2 page resume, articles from FCPS where I was featured and/or contributed (such as this FCPS article, FCPS Teacher Spotlight and an EcoART Grant with other art teachers),  the 16th District PTSA Award, photos of Museum Exhibits and Tours, my Museum CSIP, my Unit Planner, my AH Content Standards "Bingo" cheat sheet and photos of examples of student work including Calendar Art Competition entires. I also included image examples of my leadership roles including Tom's Squad and our movement to take over a quality lunch program with our OLC and Aquaponics.

Phew!!!  Seems like a lot, I know!! 

and that's only in 4 years!  It's very exciting to see what the next 4 years will bring!  

Unit Planner

So, our district came out with a 7 page lesson planning template for teachers to use in their classes.  I thought, "Holy Moly! 7 pages, that is crazy!"  Maybe an in-depth collaborative Unit, but not for every day use!  So I tried to really digest all of the information on it, then..... they came out with a 2 pager.  Getting warmer, but still too much paperwork!  My administrative team asked me to combine the 7 pager, the 2 pager and our "school philosophy" and see what I could come up with.  Well, here ya go! Brace yourself...... it's all of one page, but pretty in-depth.  There are explanations of the items as it pertains to the district wish list, but also organized realistically and user-friendly.

Assessment Criteria:  Teacher completes expectations that are concrete, measurable and rigorous in the Teacher Goals/Growth Targets.  This must be completed after class pre-assessment and data sets/funds of knowledge are accounted for.  

Enduring Standards:  By incorporating interdisciplinary standards, literacy standards and employability/21st Century standards into the Unit creation, we are providing students with opportunity to practice “life long skills that have value in multiple disciplines and will set them up for success in the next grade level”.  

Formative assessments are planned after Teacher Goals and Growth Targets are identified.  Dates for formative activities/assessment are set throughout the unit for teacher-to-student consultation and review of progress. (Stop and Checks) Communication home to parent/guardian is encouraged for partnership as well as development/recognition focus notes within eOS.

Instructional Outcomes/Essential Questions:  Classroom effort after pre-assessments and data sets/funds of knowledge are applied to topic/theme.  Students can decide what the Inquiry-based essential questions could be in keeping with the enduring and supporting standards.  Teacher acts as guide/facilitator in approving essential questions that are within the instructional outcomes/learning targets theme.  

Learning Activities:  Learning activities stem from the Standards, Literacy and Employability Framework while taking into account Teacher Goals and Growth Targets.  Learning actives are planned with formative assessments and stop and check dates in mind.  

Lesson Objectives/Learning Targets/Instructional Outcomes - are all decided at the beginning of the Theme/Topic/Idea.  These criteria are decided based on societal criteria, developmental criteria and student individual criteria.  (How does this topic function in society, where the student is currently in their development and engaging the student with their interests/strengths.)  

Resources:  Include texts (books, articles, graphics, etc), digital, library resources, school/parent community resources and professional community resources.

Summative Assessment:  Taking into account any and all measured growth of student within the Unit.  Each activity develops or allows practice of a specific skill.  Formative assessment is practice of specific skills and criteria.  Summative Assessment is the application of skills and criteria within an authentic assessment (product/project/performance based).  

Tough Mudder Nashville 2014

I can't believe I conquered my 2nd Tough Mudder this past weekend! Myself and a small group of friends went to Nashville to go up against challenging obstacles such as Mud Mile, Berlin Walls, Mount Everest, Arctic Enema and Funky Monkey!  Oh yeah, and it's on a 10.6 mile course.  No sweat, right!? Well, kind of.  I trained for several months with a good friend of mine, who eventually joined our team and ran her first Tough Mudder!  Way to go Ashlee!!  Here is a pic of us girls, before the event.

(before the event: Ashlee, Megan and Myself)

Everyone had a great time!  I think my stomach hurts the most from laughing so much!  Only a few minor cuts and bruises, but the memories and amazing friendships are worth it!  I am so proud of myself and my friends for 1) being brave enough to train and commit to such a crazy event 2) not dying or giving up and 3) looking forward to doing it again soon!

(my clothes afterwards)

My washing machine looked like it was brewing coffee when I was cleaning up from the trip!  But I didn't wash my number!    :) 

If anyone is interested in participating in a Tough Mudder, here is there website.  I highly recommend it!!  

Art of Blogging Class Final Checklist and Mid Crit list

May 7, 2014                                                                                   Name:                                                              

Art of Blogging  

 Ms. Baker

Activity:  Peer Review Someone’s Blog

One thing about blogging is getting used to someone looking at and experiencing your blog.  Whether you write for yourself or for a specific audience, if it’s public, it is out there.  Gotta get used to other’s viewing and “critiquing” your work.  So today, we are going to critique each other’s blogs (digital artworks) and give feedback.  Your final is only 3 weeks away and some of you might need that time to rev up your blog.  So here’s what you need to do:

1)      Share your URL with another student.

2)      Everyone has a checklist that they are going to “critique” your blog with and give you feedback.

3)      Take this checklist as a To-Do list for your final.

Like I said, we only have 3 weeks until final presentations where we are going to present our blogs and what we have learned in this class.

Here is your checklist for this mid-crit:

        3 images

        9 posts

        2 Hyperlinks

        1 Video

        Gadget/widget

        One the back, please write a review of the placement, coloring, visual appeal of the blog in general.  Complete sentences, clear understanding.

For your final presentation, here is your checklist:

        5 images

        20 posts

        10 hyperlinks

        2 videos

        2 gadgets/widgets

Item	Points Possible  200 (5 bonus pts)	Final Grade:
5 images	25
20 posts	100
10 hyperlinks	50
2 videos	10
2 gadgets/widgets	10