|
|
 |
|
October 2011 |
|
|
 | Notes from the Executive Director
|
| |  |
|
| | Louise Kennelly |
Contributing to Creativity: Facilitating Collaboration Among School Leaders
Many leaders in education have been emphasizing the importance of arts and humanities recently in celebration of National Arts and Humanities Month, including the US Secretary of Education and principals from across DC.
In proclaiming October as National Arts and Humanities Month, President Obama said the arts and humanities "often challenge us to consider new perspectives and to rethink how we see the world." Secretary of Education Arne Duncan joined the President by urging all of America's school leaders to embrace, preserve, and strengthen arts and humanities programs, providing a well-rounded education that will give students opportunities to be the creative thinkers of tomorrow.
Meeting to explore this theme more deeply, principals from around DC joined Fight For Children in partnership with the Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation at DC Prep for a Principals Roundtable to discuss methods for supporting creativity in DC schools.
Some of the issues that met with consensus included the notion that creativity in the classroom supports high-order/critical thinking skills such as analysis, synthesis, and evaluation and that creative, hands-on assignments advance 21st Century skills such as innovation, flexibility, and collaboration. Principals identified a need for arts education to have a more central role in providing a high-quality and relevant education.
Principals also generally agreed that creativity in the classroom involves a process of discovery within the context of high standards that often parallels the scientific discovery process, rather than a bolt of inspiration that some students have and others don't.
Principal David Ayala of KIPP DC commented that most assessments were not currently refined enough to capture creative skills or critical higher-order thinking skills. Another issue that arose at the roundtable facilitated by Skip McKoy, was the fact that most school days are not currently designed with enough time built in for the deep questioning of premise and trial and error that often characterizes creative exploration.
Data emerged as being potentially central to ensuring creativity is supported in schools, helping teachers and administrators gage that the conditions necessary for fostering creativity are in place in their schools and classrooms, including conducting surveys to help maintain an environment where students feel safe and engaged, have strong positive relationships with adults in their schools, and where their voice is heard.
The gathering was an excellent opportunity for the more than 25 educators and principals to share experiences and best practices on ways to support creative learning not only in the arts and humanities but across the curriculum for both students and teachers all year long. |
|
Member Spotlight
|
| |
NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Now in its 81st season, The National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) continues to celebrate both artistic excellence and Music Education. Every year the NSO, an affiliate of the Kennedy Center, performs about 175 concerts, including Classical, Pop, and Educational music performances. Join the NSO on a musical journey through their 2011-12 season, which includes a wide variety of repertoire and performances for adults, families, and schoolchildren.
The National Symphony Orchestra participates in the DC Collaborative's Arts for Every Student program and is offering a fantastic program this school year. The Kennedy String Quartet will teach pre-K - second graders about many types of musical contrasts in the NSO Kinderkonzert entitled "Musical Opposites." Students will be exposed to movements of the string quartet literature by such masters as Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, and Mendelssohn in an atmosphere of fun.
The NSO Young People's Concerts in March offers children, grades 3-6, the opportunity to experience the music of the full NSO in the concert hall in a program entitled "A World of Music: A Trip Through the Kennedy Center's Hall of Nations."
Check out the NSO's website to read more about their upcoming performances and opportunities. Performances for School Groups and Professional Learning for Teachers can be found at www.kennedy-center.org/schoolguide
The National Symphony Orchestra is located at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts at 700 F St, NW, Washington, DC 20566 Call 800-444-1324 for tickets and information
|
|
| New Executive Committee |
|
| |
The DC Collaborative Announces the FY2012
Board of Directors Executive Officers
 | | Jeff Travers |
Jeff Travers will remain Board President for another term. As Director of External Relations at Fight for Children, Jeff oversees marketing, communications, development and grant-making processes.
 | | Jade Floyd |
Jade Floyd is Vice President. Jade is a Managing Associate at Chlopak, Leonard, Schechter & Associates, and helped to make our summer Jewelry Trunk Show a great success!
 | | Gina Sacripanti |
Gina Sacripanti is also Vice President. Gina is the Senior Director of Business Development and Marketing at the Washington Examiner and brings several years of experience in marketing. She is very active in the Arts on Foot festival and helped the DC Collaborative participate at this year's festival!
 | | Nathan Hoffmann |
New board member Nathan Hoffman will serve as Treasurer, drawing on his experience as Vice President of Business Banking at Capitol One, and liason to the Board of Directors at YouthQuest.
Gail Murdock, a Pre-K Educator at Peabody Elementary School,
 | | Gail Murdock |
will serve as Secretary. Gail has worked closely with the DC Collaborative on a number of initiatives including the Arts Education Initiative involving integration of arts across the curriculum.
|
| Effective Fieldtrips Workshop |
| | |
On Wednesday, October 19th the DC Collaborative partnered with Live it Learn it to offer an Effective Fieldtrips Workshop for DCPS Educators.
DCPS educators and key communicators joined the DC Collaborative in partnership with Live it Learn it for a workshop on utilizing pre- and post-trip instruction to maximize the impact of out-of-classroom learning. We covered topics such as pre- and post-field trip activities to promote learning and generate prior knowledge before the experience and methods for measuring knowledge after the trips. Additionally, educators were guided on ways to encourage students to observe and analyze during trips. Following the trip, students can reflect on what they learned and take quizzes on the material covered. Students also can follow up with activities such as journal writing and small group projects that will help to reinforce their learning and make meaningful connections for all students.
All AFES fieldtrips relate to the following strands in the TEACH doman of the Teaching and Learning Framework:
Teach 3: Engage all Students in Learning
Teach 4: Target Multiple Learning Styles
Teach 7: Invest Students in Learning
The workshop highlighted how teachers can ensure that all fieldtrip exeriences tie directly into classroom, curriculum and CC/OSSE standards. Attendees came up with their own ideas for pre- and post-trip activities to share at our round-table discussion.
If you missed the meeting but would like a copy of our publication, "Top Ten Tips for Effective Fieldtrips Guide" please email us and we'll send you a copy! |
|
Upcoming Member Events: Professional Development
|
| |
|
Upcoming Professional Development opportunities for Educators
Remember: The DC Collaborative offers up to three PD workshops per public school educator. To register, visit our website or contact us.
The Kennedy Center
"The Magic of Peepers Puppets: Exploring Story Through Puppetry"
Puppetry is a magical teaching tool that activates students' understanding of story development and creative thinking. In this workshop, Hobey Ford introduces you to his patented Peepers Puppet, a set of eyes worn on the hand in several ways to turn the bare hand into an innovative and inexpensive puppet. Discover how to use the Peepers Puppet to create numerous characters and scenes while exploring the relationship between story elements.
November 2, 4:30pm-7:30pm, 2700 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20566
The Kennedy Center co-sponsored with the Smithsonian American Art Museum and The White House Historical Association
"Evening for Educators Something of Splendor: Decorative Arts from the White House"
Explore the History of the White House's decorative arts in a special exhibition. This special evening for educators begins at The National Center for White House History at Decatur House and continues with an exploration of the exhibit at the Renwick Gallery. All participants receive activities and resources from the Renwick Gallery and White House Historical Association.
November 9, 4:30pm-7:30pm, Multiple Locations
Folger Shakespeare Library
"Page to Stage Workshop"
This workshop provides hands on instructions on how to edit a script, cast a play, and conduct rehearsals and other techniques necessary for putting on a stage production with an emphasis on Shakespeare's plays.
November 12, 8:30am-12:30p, Elizabethan Theatre: 201 E Capitol Street, SE, Washington, DC 20003
Corcoran Gallery of Art/Corcoran College of Art & Design
"ARTS 101"
Explore the Corcoran Gallery's outstanding collection of American art, specifically works that are included in the Arts 101 resource packet and teaching posters. Discuss new common themes spanning 400 years of American cultural life and learn how these ideas and concerns presented in these works may be used to make interdisciplinary curricular connections and engage students in making their own comparisons.
November 19, 9am-12:30pm., 500 17th street, NW, Washington, DC 20006
|
|
Launch of DC Cultural Data Project
|
| |
|
The Cultural Data Project, launched in DC this month, provides nonprofit arts and cultural organizations with an online management tool to help track trends in performance and benchmark against others. Ultimately, the system will allow arts advocates to better demonstrate the vital role the sector plays in the economic life of the District. Cultural Data Project is available for free to all of D.C.'s arts and culture nonprofits. Members of the DC CDP Task Force include Washington Regional Association of Grantmakers, The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, The Community Foundation for the National Capital Region, The Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation, Prince Charitable Trusts, and the D.C. Commission for the Arts and Humanities. The Launch Advisory Committee, consisting of the Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington, the Cultural Development Corporation, Cultural Tourism D.C., the D.C. Arts and Humanities Education Collaborative, and TheatreWashington, also provided support and guidance.
. |
|
Teaching Artist Gathering
|
| |
|
Join us for our last Teaching Artist gathering of 2011!
December 1st, 6:30-8:00pm
Source Theater
1835 14th street, NW, Washington, DC 20009
Teaching Artist Candace Wolf will share her experiences traveling through India, collecting oral stories- you won't want to miss it!
As always, all Teaching Artists are welcome!
For more information, contact Melissa Danielson, Program Manager of Member Services,by email at melissa@dccollaborative.org, or by phone at 202.204.7752. |
| JOB BANK |
| |
Attention Members: We are receiving more resumes then ever, send us your Job openings as they arise and we will list them in our Job Bank.
Arena Stage
Arena Stage has several current opportunities for employment including an Education Fellow, Scenic Carpenter, Costume Shop First Hand, Maintenance Technician, both Outbound and Inbound Sales Representatives, and Stage Door Attendant. For job responsibilities and more information, visit their employment page.
Joy of Motion
Calling all Dance Teachers! To apply, submit a cover letter, resumé and 3 professional references to: Heidi Schimpf, Director of Programs and Services, or fax materials to (202) 399-6761.
Shakespeare Theatre
Shakespeare Theatre has a range of open positions including Properties Artisan, Box Office Sales Supervisor, Box Office Associates, Assistant House Manager, Theatre Receptionist and Usher Coordinator. For more information visit the jobs page on their website. Applicants may submit resume cover letter, and references to employment@shakespearetheatre.org.
|
|
Donate Now!
|
| | Provide the Keys to Wonder
Make the DC Collaborative a part of your giving plan this year! Help us bring quality arts and humanities education to all DC public and chartered public schools. Your donation can provide tickets and transportation through the Arts for Every Student program, support teacher registration fees for Professional Development workshops, or provide for support for arts-integrated work with schools as part of the Arts Education Initiative.
Donate Now! |
|
| |
About the DC Arts and Humanities Education Collaborative:More than sixty members strong, the DC Arts and Humanities Education Collaborative (DC Collaborative) provides equitable access to quality arts and humanities education for all DC public and chartered public schools for the growth of the whole child. Working with its partners, since its founding in 1998, the DC Collaborative produces such exemplary programs as Arts for Every Student and the Arts Education Initiative.
For more information on the DC Arts and Humanities Education Collaborative, Please visit our website. If you would like to include something in our next
DC Arts and Humanities Education Collaborative
1835 14th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009
p. (202) 204-7750
f. (202) 204-7803
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
