November CLAE Meeting

Merry Christmas Everyone,

It was quality, not quantity for our November CLAE meeting. Kat, Scott, and I met at St. Mary's in my art room and discussed the following: Empty Bowls follow-up, CLAE group purpose, and my efficiency as an art teacher.

Empty Bowls was a success. $1000 to the Food Coalition, Food for a 100 to Goodwill Inn, and showcasing student's visual, musical, and culinary art from 5 school districts. If anyone wants to step forward to chair or co-chair the event next year, there are about 300 pottery bowls made, tickets printed, food and clay donation contacts collected, and all saved in storage. The three of us declined from chairing the event. The idea of one event a year is nice but maybe it could change from year to year. Also, the idea of raising money for a student art scholarship (maybe Blue Lakes) could be added. If anyone wants to chair an arts event or has an idea, we are listening.

The CLAE group purpose is one of artistic and professional support for all us arts teachers. The group was not intended to be a burden but an ease for our already packed lives. Participate when you want and when you can. Use this Blog as the main communication to ask colleagues questions or lend someone else advice. When you want to participate, log on to see what's going on and when the next meeting is.

Scott and Kat were helpful and gave me good ideas and feedback on time-saving tips to get out of my classroom before 5:30. The conversation quickly lead to TAB or Teaching for Artistic Behaviors or "choice-based education". tabchoiceteaching.blogspot.com (scroll down Archives and click on "current posts") and knowledgeloom.org/tab/index.jsp Both sites have wonderful examples, research, and discussions. As Scott has presented on this topic at our conference, I am interested in hearing and seeing how he does it in his classroom. This could be our focus for our next meeting if there is any interest. I give classes small media choices within a focused project, but have wanted to create media centers in my classroom for years. I have always felt limited by my environment and K-12 schedule. Scott's updated ideas, including a digital center, have motivated me to start planning my attempt at centers with the goal of an art studio within a school. Enough said.

Next meeting Estimated late January. Until then...

Thanks,
Lani