The reality teachers are failing to recognize...
The Chinese word for "crisis" is wēijī , composed of two Chinese characters signifying "danger" and "opportunity" respectively.
This pandemic crisis, now in its early stages, is a time of confusion. Schools were closed for a few weeks, then those were extended to a month, and currently we're looking to close the year with remote teaching. Many social media posts have a tone of "I can't wait to go back after this summer." Hopeful, but that's not based in reality. Experts agree, we are about 18 months from a vaccine or cure. One year might be possible if all the planets line up and we have no missteps. This post is not about blame but about the reality we, as educators, should face...
We will likely not return to a traditional teaching format, in schools, until the fall of 2021.
If everyone wore a mask, and everyone was tested, perhaps we could return, but how realistic is that? It's hard to hear. It is NOT what the press is saying, but it is in the subtext of what the experts are telling us. Epidemiologists have been clear, a vaccine is a long way off. We may have therapies developed to lower the incidence of death, but a cure is not coming soon. How can we re-start schools anywhere if children are the most asymptomatic carriers of this virus? 20% of those infected have no symptoms at all. Evidence is pointing to the notion that people are infectious days before they feel any symptoms at all. To reopen schools would not only be irresponsible, but would cause another wave of infections and deaths globally.
So now what? We use the time we have now as an opportunity to test and experiment with distance learning. Many districts are moving to pass/fail. Many have stopped grading all together. Many are just providing enrichment opportunities for their students. But at some point, this will need to move to a more rigorous model so a whole generation is not left behind. Right now, when the stakes are at their lowest, is our time to "figure it out." This is a good opportunity in a dangerous situation.
Another bright spot are studies that show that detailed feedback of student learning is more beneficial than grades. Students who were provided detailed feedback on their work succeeded to a higher degree than those who got just grades, and even better than those who got feedback AND grades. See just one study from ETS HERE.
Teachers are putting in long hours, far more than we are contracted to do because we care more about our students than our "personal time" during this crisis. We are sharing, conferencing, meeting virtually, blogging our successes and struggles, all in the name of doing better for "our children," our students. I see posts by teachers, living on a single income, buying supplies for their students in low income districts. It's dangerous because we have not been assured that "The Arts" will remain in favor of "Academics." I have a detailed blog post HERE about why cutting the arts is actually the most destructive decision a district can make, but it is possible that shortsighted people in offices will be unable to see the critical need for "The Arts" in this crisis.
We must begin to advocate NOW while we still have a voice. It is quite possible, over the summer, officials in remote offices may decide to focus on academics and furlough arts teachers. It has already happened in some schools. The blog post HERE details 5 arguments they will use to cut the arts, and 5 data-based rebuttals to these arguments. The post is written in a way that you can copy, paste, and share with those in power so they don't even consider dangerous cuts.
For my art teaching colleagues, I propose this. If your budget can handle it, purchase simples supplies that can be divided and given to your students, particularly those who cannot afford supplies. Something to draw with, something to color with, and something to draw on. This could be as simple as copy paper, pencils, and crayons. If your budget would allow for water color paints, consider small yet simple sets that include a brush and promote color mixing. Make videos (Some Here) about how to use materials rather than "follow along" lessons that require specific media. Instead of copying Monet's bridges, explore Monet's use of color daubs, and have students create an artwork based on their garden, back yard, local park, etc. If packets are helpful due to a lack of internet, an open-ended prompt can be printed on the footer of blank copies so the student have both the paper and the starting point from which to work. I have well over a hundred available HERE.
If you find a resource you would like to use, contact the publisher or author and see if they will allow you to read from it or copy it for your students or record it while also giving credit. Firehouse Publications has loosened their copyright restrictions for just this reason on all their art education resources. See if suppliers would offer additional discounts due to the pandemic. Use social media to encourage your community to donate money for supplies. (Donations of unwrapped supplies though makes it harder to ensure items are virus-free.) It is time to think creatively, to reach out, to build a community. There is a lot of good will out there we need to tap into.
I will continue to share resources for art teachers on this blog. There are many lessons that may work for your distance learning activities HERE. This list will grow as well as lessons on my regular blog where you are now reading. I would urge all teachers to make connections on social media with other teachers. I would avoid Pinterest as a resource for "copy me" lessons that are often too dependant on specific materials, and do not often allow personalization or choice. We can give students a voice in this pandemic. Here is how I am giving my students a voice. How will you step up and do it too?
Please comment below with any resources others will find helpful.
Thank You.
Stay Safe & Stay Strong.
This pandemic crisis, now in its early stages, is a time of confusion. Schools were closed for a few weeks, then those were extended to a month, and currently we're looking to close the year with remote teaching. Many social media posts have a tone of "I can't wait to go back after this summer." Hopeful, but that's not based in reality. Experts agree, we are about 18 months from a vaccine or cure. One year might be possible if all the planets line up and we have no missteps. This post is not about blame but about the reality we, as educators, should face...
We will likely not return to a traditional teaching format, in schools, until the fall of 2021.
If everyone wore a mask, and everyone was tested, perhaps we could return, but how realistic is that? It's hard to hear. It is NOT what the press is saying, but it is in the subtext of what the experts are telling us. Epidemiologists have been clear, a vaccine is a long way off. We may have therapies developed to lower the incidence of death, but a cure is not coming soon. How can we re-start schools anywhere if children are the most asymptomatic carriers of this virus? 20% of those infected have no symptoms at all. Evidence is pointing to the notion that people are infectious days before they feel any symptoms at all. To reopen schools would not only be irresponsible, but would cause another wave of infections and deaths globally.
So now what? We use the time we have now as an opportunity to test and experiment with distance learning. Many districts are moving to pass/fail. Many have stopped grading all together. Many are just providing enrichment opportunities for their students. But at some point, this will need to move to a more rigorous model so a whole generation is not left behind. Right now, when the stakes are at their lowest, is our time to "figure it out." This is a good opportunity in a dangerous situation.
Another bright spot are studies that show that detailed feedback of student learning is more beneficial than grades. Students who were provided detailed feedback on their work succeeded to a higher degree than those who got just grades, and even better than those who got feedback AND grades. See just one study from ETS HERE.
Teachers are putting in long hours, far more than we are contracted to do because we care more about our students than our "personal time" during this crisis. We are sharing, conferencing, meeting virtually, blogging our successes and struggles, all in the name of doing better for "our children," our students. I see posts by teachers, living on a single income, buying supplies for their students in low income districts. It's dangerous because we have not been assured that "The Arts" will remain in favor of "Academics." I have a detailed blog post HERE about why cutting the arts is actually the most destructive decision a district can make, but it is possible that shortsighted people in offices will be unable to see the critical need for "The Arts" in this crisis.
We must begin to advocate NOW while we still have a voice. It is quite possible, over the summer, officials in remote offices may decide to focus on academics and furlough arts teachers. It has already happened in some schools. The blog post HERE details 5 arguments they will use to cut the arts, and 5 data-based rebuttals to these arguments. The post is written in a way that you can copy, paste, and share with those in power so they don't even consider dangerous cuts.
For my art teaching colleagues, I propose this. If your budget can handle it, purchase simples supplies that can be divided and given to your students, particularly those who cannot afford supplies. Something to draw with, something to color with, and something to draw on. This could be as simple as copy paper, pencils, and crayons. If your budget would allow for water color paints, consider small yet simple sets that include a brush and promote color mixing. Make videos (Some Here) about how to use materials rather than "follow along" lessons that require specific media. Instead of copying Monet's bridges, explore Monet's use of color daubs, and have students create an artwork based on their garden, back yard, local park, etc. If packets are helpful due to a lack of internet, an open-ended prompt can be printed on the footer of blank copies so the student have both the paper and the starting point from which to work. I have well over a hundred available HERE.
If you find a resource you would like to use, contact the publisher or author and see if they will allow you to read from it or copy it for your students or record it while also giving credit. Firehouse Publications has loosened their copyright restrictions for just this reason on all their art education resources. See if suppliers would offer additional discounts due to the pandemic. Use social media to encourage your community to donate money for supplies. (Donations of unwrapped supplies though makes it harder to ensure items are virus-free.) It is time to think creatively, to reach out, to build a community. There is a lot of good will out there we need to tap into.
I will continue to share resources for art teachers on this blog. There are many lessons that may work for your distance learning activities HERE. This list will grow as well as lessons on my regular blog where you are now reading. I would urge all teachers to make connections on social media with other teachers. I would avoid Pinterest as a resource for "copy me" lessons that are often too dependant on specific materials, and do not often allow personalization or choice. We can give students a voice in this pandemic. Here is how I am giving my students a voice. How will you step up and do it too?
Please comment below with any resources others will find helpful.
Thank You.
Stay Safe & Stay Strong.
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