Kahn Academy for real

A lot of people post about Khan Academy, but are not aware of its origins and how far reaching it has become (both in his life and our lives). He devoted his time for a relative, then for strangers, then to learn for himself and now for a revolution in learning. Here are some of his interviews that may give you better insight.



Here is another thing to think about, "10 minute teaching and videos or digital media to reach your students." Khan found success from this and you likely will as well. Learn to produce your own podcasts, both audio and video.

Blog Tips & Tricks: 3 Ways to follow another site

I recorded the options for following in order for each viewer to better see how it is done, enjoy!

Imagination...Come Wonder With Me: Creating a story in your classroom

Imagination...Come Wonder With Me: Creating a story in your classroom: This is a great site for the students in your classrooms to create their own stories. Take the Tour when you get to the site; I think you wi...

Live Art, Breathe Art: Happy Birthday, Marcel Duchamp!

Live Art, Breathe Art: Happy Birthday, Marcel Duchamp!: "Marcel Duchamp (born July 28, 1887 - died October 1, 1968) French artist who broke down the boundaries between works of art and everyday ob..."



Marcel Duchamp was the first artist I identified with and used after beginning my career as a teacher at an arts integrated school. He is at the root of so many genres of visual art.  Happy Belated Big Guy! Great post!

Blogger in Draft: Blogger, Redesigned

Blogger in Draft: Blogger, Redesigned: "Posted by Jinwoo Lee, Blogger tech lead As we shared before , our team has been hard at work on a brand new, next generation design for B..."

Blog tips and Tricks #2: Changing your Favicon on Blogger

Written Steps Below:

1)      .ico is the file format favicons need to be and our computers cannot change files to this format. Go to the following website (http://www.icoconverter.com/) which converts picture files to .ico files, click browse under Image file (PNG, JPEG, GIF, BMP, 2 Mb max.), then click the "convert" button (All the default values are good, don't change anything, just browse, choose file and convert). The conversion should create a square 100 kb or below image, as needed for favicon images.   

2)    Then, log into your www.blogger.com account. When you log in you will be in your “Dashboard.” click on the “Design” tab. At the top left of the screen you will see a window box titled "Favicon." Click on that tab.

3)   Once in the Favicon window you will be able to upload your Favicon image in place of the the default orange blogger icon. This will help personalize your blog a little more. If you do not see your icon image on your link and blog immediately, fret not! Some work instantly and others may appear a day later. Rest assured that once it is changed and becomes active you will not have any issues again with it until the next time you attempt to change it. 

When choosing your Favicon image keep in mind:

                          * Your image is INCREDIBLY TINY so you will need something that
                               is recognizable.

                          * You have to be careful with taking a photo from the internet because 
                              you may be infringing on another's copyright.

                          * Allow a student to create it. You can take a picture of any surrounding or
                               creation and turn it into a favicon image (it will convert a picture into a .

 

 Be Creative! Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

6)       

 

Arts Integration for Schools

Find the rest of the story here

What is Arts Integration?
Arts integration is instruction that integrates content and skills from the arts - dance, music, theatre and the visual arts - with other core subjects. Arts Integration occurs when there is a seamless blending of content and skills between an art form and a co-curricular subject.

Why do it?

Arts integration is highly effective in engaging and motivating students. It supports academic achievement and improved social behavior of students while enhancing school climate and parental involvement. The arts provide students multiple modes for demonstrating learning and competency. A rich array of arts skills and intellectual processes provide multiple entry points for students linking to content in other subject areas. Similarly, arts instruction is deepened through integration of content from the other subject areas. It enlivens the teaching and learning experience for entire school communities. At its best, arts integration is transformative for students, teachers and communities. The imaginations and creative capacities of teachers and students are nurtured and their aspirations afforded many avenues for realization and recognition.

How do you do it?

Arts integration is a fundamental culture shift. It takes time to build awareness, understanding and commitment among members of the school community.

Ongoing professional development is essential to give classroom teachers facility in arts disciplines and to enable them to analyze curriculum to find the natural connections between arts curriculum and the curriculum in other subject areas including creating lessons and units of instruction.
Collaboration is essential - between classroom teachers and arts specialists. Common planning time is critical.

Arts specialists are key resources, collaborators and leaders in developing arts integration programs.
Arts integration specialists are extremely valuable resources for guiding the planning of professional development and for supporting collaborations among teachers and with partners, such as cultural institutions and teaching artists.

Schools that integrate art into education successfully:
http://thesanantonioschool.org