Teacher art connections and more

Many of our enhancement programs began on campus within the last two weeks, with everyone now beginning to move into the rhythm of all things schedule.  I was able to visit Mrs. Guenther's classroom one day when dance teacher Holly Schmidt had students giving their movement interpretations of science vocabulary (think inquiry, scientist, etcetera), before she began nailing down specific vocab definitions.  Those students were very excited about participating and motivation to learn was high...one more way to present the information! This semester, Holly will be with us one day per week in second grade, with a theatre teacher then taking over second semester.  These ladies work among several schools within our McCallum vertical school and it's been a great addition at the elementary campuses.  The ultimate goal is to give students exposure, appreciation, and understanding of dance and theatre TEKS, while also (most importantly at our level) enhancing understanding in gen ed content areas.  Thanks AISD and welcome Holly!

On the same day, I also visited our just up and running parent led Future Problem Solvers program.  As you know Alison Guckenberger and Jeannine Ripp took over the program this year, attended FPS summer training with our own Laine Leibick, and have now begun to offer this enrichment opportunity to our identified GT students in grades 2-5.  A very, very involved 16 step problem solving model.  I caught the tail end of a broad topic discussion around the theme Social Isolation and was impressed with what I heard.  Fifth grade student groups were sharing out their recommendations for social isolation concerns (in a futuristic model) and I heard everything from "inventing socks that would give the wearer a compliment every 10 steps taken, with additional aromatherapy added in" to "transportable hospital beds so patients would not feel lonely."  What was really cool however was the brainstorming model being followed, with specific use of piggybacking as one brainstorm component.  Specifically, when the hospital idea was shared, the next student group said they were inspired and then piggybacked their idea of sending holograms of patients to events, celebrations, school, family time...in order to combat the loneliness.  It really got us all thinking however, when one student asked, "But as a hologram, wouldn't you still feel lonely at those things?"  Which, of course, brought up a whole other line of questioning on why human touch is still important now and in the future.  Very rich discussion and yep, I'm very grateful we have folks to lead this program as volunteers for our campus.  

Lots of great teaching happening all over campus (I get it, I'm biased!), but specifically want to give props to Ms. Collins in 4th grade and her recent science inquiry lesson.  Student groups were reading short biographies on scientists (famous and not so famous), discussing and listing details in the scientific process through the steps their selected scientist actually used.  They also were just beginning to cross reference the historical perspective/personal anecdotes of the time each scientist lived (What was happening at the time of the discovery or invention to make important breakthroughs a reality? How did the time period and all that went with it impact each of these historical figures and the decisions they made?).  Big questions which gave both teacher and principal pie in the sky discussion points on where kids could take this lesson.  Love the connection between so many disciplines.  Thanks Ms. Collins.

And Sally Hunter's What Do I Value Display.  The display has been up for awhile and I've missed  showing it the last couple postings, but Sally tells me, "The activity actually evolved from a lesson I do every year about what 'value' really means - not monetary value, but those priceless things like family, etc.  The decision to do their 'What Do I Value?' work on black paper came from one of my favorite childhood poetry books, Hailstones and Halibut Bones, by Mary O'Neill.  The quote comes from her poem about the color black - we shared the poem in class because diamonds and other jewels had come up under items with monetary value."    Great way to get kids thinking and sorting through who they are as people...plus one terrific visual arts tool to boot!

 








Two last things to share this week.  We were thrilled to hear that our own PE teacher Jim DeLine was selected by UT's The School of Public Health as a 2013 Catch Champion.  Coach, as you know, is a champion of all things family fitness and he is "being recognized for his untiring dedication to create healthy environments for the children in Texas."  I hear Coach is one of six Catch Champions across the state and will be recognized formally in December. We are, of course, Scottie Proud of this special recognition. 

Finally, late Wednesday afternoon, all teachers (yep, all) traveled with Ms. McDaniel and me to UT's The Blanton Museum for a bit of training and fall celebration of the arts.  We are in our Year III of the work around Any Given Child, and as this year's PD is focused on visual arts teaching strategies, this was a perfect venue to not only learn more, but also a great venue to celebrate the work we do.  Blanton Education Director Ray Williams, along with Amethyst Beaver, gave us a wonderful tour of the fascinating Life Like exhibit, along with some time on our own to explore the spaces.  Our goal was for teachers to walk away with not only personal appreciation for what art can be (there was some debate about that - love it!), but also gave teachers a couple more tools to use with students.  Either at school or a future museum field experience.  By deepening our own understanding we are better able to deepen students' understanding as well.  Pretty simple. Thanks so much for the hospitality and yes, if you haven't heard, The Blanton, as of this year, is now FREE to all teachers with a school ID.  One more cool way to connect those working closest with students to the work we know is working. 

Thanks HP Teachers and The Blanton!