August Newsletter
As we return to another school year, districts across the state are developing responses to the Covid-19 pandemic. I am sure many of you feel a great deal of uncertainty and are, perhaps, overwhelmed. Some arts educators will be working virtually, some will be asked to teach in-person and online, and some will be returning to their buildings to work almost as normal. Give yourself and others grace as you prepare to return to school. Remember, you already know a lot about teaching, regardless of the delivery method, platform, or schedule! Those delivery facets are not what will make the difference for your students - YOU WILL! Each one of you is amazing - you've got this!
The aerosol research study has released preliminary results for wind and brass instruments and singing, dancing, and acting results should be released soon. Further guidance will follow. Arts educators should familiarize themselves with the recommendations and consider what is safe during the 2020-21 school year.
In mid-July, Oklahoma arts organizations released Return to Learn Guidance for fine arts educators. The document will be updated as new aerosol study information is available. Though every district is handling their response to Covid differently, it is recommended fine arts teachers and students use extra caution as they return to classrooms across the state.
Webinars
In support of the new standards, the OSDE offered a session at Engage OK with a standards focus. Later in July, we also offered a Visual Art webinar on distance learning. Both sessions are available on the OSDE Fine Arts website.
In addition, the Oklahoma Arts Institute also offered webinars on their distance learning process for the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute. Recordings of the webinars may be found on the OAI YouTube channel.
Good Reads
Strategies for Using Music in all Subjects
Arts Ed New Jersey - Virtual Teaching Resources
Arts Education Partnership - Covid-19 Resources
The fine arts virtual meetings will be resume in August. The meetings will be held on the second Thursday of every month at 4 p.m. on Zoom. The August 13th meeting will include back to school guidance and time for discipline-specific discussions. The meetings will be recorded and available on the OSDE Fine Arts website, though the break out room portion of the meetings is not able to be recorded. All Oklahoma PK-12 arts educators are welcome to join the conversation!
In order to increase security for our virtual meetings we are implementing passwords for participants. When you log onto Zoom use the following login information. Please do not share this information publicly through social media or other spaces. You may forward this email to colleagues if they do not receive the newsletter.
OSDE C&I Leadership is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Fine Arts Virtual Meet-Up
Time: Aug 13, 2020 04:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/93363129313?pwd=WmRBdWc3bFJQekRUbE1tNU9OMUhGZz09
Meeting ID: 933 6312 9313
Passcode: FA2020
One tap mobile
+16699006833,,93363129313# US (San Jose)
+12532158782,,93363129313# US (Tacoma)
To further enhance security, the meeting will be locked at 4:05. After 4:05, no one will be allowed to enter the meeting.
There are many resources out there for successful arts education during Covid. If you are on Facebook, multiple teacher groups have formed and new ideas are constantly shared. Twitter and Instagram also have robust discussions happening. In addition, you may want to check out the resources below as you plan the school year.
Fine Arts on a Cart - OSDE Guidance for educators and administrators
Tech Tool Tuesdays - Multiple webinars from the OSDE introducing and demonstrating popular tools
Five Top Tips to Teaching in a Mask - From an art teacher in Hong Kong
Scott Lang's Music Education Webinars - Transforming music education during Covid
Our current reality has shifted our focus from arts education to our health and the health of those around us. But, the arts are still a necessary part of our lives and our students deserve an education that includes dance, drama/theatre, music, and visual art. The video below was made by UNESCO for International Arts Education Week in May. It's a great reminder of the importance of arts education.
This summer, the Gardiner Gallery at Oklahoma State University featured some of our incredible art educators in their virtual exhibition space. Congratulations to the following educators - Blaine Atwood, Kathleen Blake, Ruth Crittendon, Olivia East, Tracy Gibson, Nicole Harrington, Taylor Hoffer, Brian Payne, Laurie Spencer, Julie Thomas, and Ranell Zurmehly.
 To read the full statement and see the list of supporting organizations, visit https://nafme.org/wp-content/files/2020/05/Arts_Education_Is_Essential-unified-statement.pdf Consider using the statement (or portions of it) in materials as you prepare for the 2020-21 school year.
At the start of every school year, teachers across the state fill out their TLE Professional Learning (PL) Focus document. TLE stands for Teacher and Leader Effectiveness. This process is intended to give teachers choice in their professional growth and development.
As an arts educator, your PL Focus should give you the opportunity to attend arts-specific professional development, observe teachers in other buildings or districts, read and research a new concept (for example, culturally-responsive teaching), etc.
As you create your PL Focus for the 2020-21 school year, consider using the documents here as a reference. The documents use the Tulsa Model for the indicator/element. Arts educators should check with their district and see if the Tulsa Model or Marzano is preferred.
Regardless of the overall evaluation framework, arts educators are encouraged to utilize their PL Focus to gain access to arts-specific professional development, observe other arts educators, and expand personal knowledge of their discipline. If you have any questions about this process, please contact elizabeth.maughan@sde.ok.gov.
Graceful Arts Gallery and Studios in Alva, Oklahoma is reaching out to surrounding arts communities to spread the word about our upcoming Graceful Arts Gallery and Studios Regional Biennial Juried Show 2020.
Artists can submit artwork for the Juried Show by completing the submission form found on our website. The submission fee is $15 and winners of the Juried Show will receive cash prizes. The submission deadline is August 15, 2020. Artwork selected for the Juried Show will be exhibited at Graceful Arts during the month of November 2020. The jury will notify selected artists by September 20, 2020.
For more information, email gracefulartscenter@gmail.com or call (580) 327-2787.
The current art display for Youth Arts Month will be removed as soon as work schedules return to normal at the SDE. Teachers will be able to pick up their student art from OAEA members sometime this fall.
A new gallery schedule will be developed soon. Stay tuned!
A virtual art gallery is available on the SDE Fine Arts website for students and families who would like to see pictures of their work in the OSDE (Oliver Hodge) Building.
August 13 - Monthly Fine Arts Meeting
August 15 - Deadline for the Graceful Arts Juried Show
September 26 - Oklahoma Kodaly Educators Fall Workshop
|
