>
The 2013 NAEA National Convention is just around the corner…that is, the National Arts Education Association. And this year it’s being held literally around the corner in Ft. Worth! March 7 — 10.
If there are any arts educators out there who are attending, we want you to know that co-authors Susan Marcus and Cindy Herbert will be giving two presentations. We’d LOVE to see you there! Details below:
Session 1: Monkeybars for Young Minds: the New Fundamentals for 21st Century Thinking Skills
Date: Thursday, 3/7/2013
Time: 1:00 PM – 1:50 PM
Description: Extend your thinking beyond simplified arts programs for early childhood. Learn about the basic building blocks that are as powerful for engendering creativity and innovation in young children as the ABC’s are for reading. Be surprised at what neuroscience says about the enriching elements that are already in every arts educator’s toolkit. Discover the design criteria that will help you create programming for in- and out-of school contexts that is both fun and deeply relevant. Help children develop the confidence and skills needed to shape a positive future and deal with unforeseen challenges. Susan Marcus and Cynthia Herbert, PhD bring the fruits of 40 years of applied research in creativity, play, media and individuality into focus for the creative skills that are needed now. Presentation includes sample lessons, management ideas and examples of programs in action.
Session 2: Cooking Up Exciting Afterschool for Young Children: A Unique Texas Recipe
Date: Saturday, 3/9/2013
Time: 3:00 PM – 3:50 PM
Description: Learn how to create an outstanding afterschool program. Ingredients include diverse students, arts educators, community artists and parents. Combine with multimedia from crayons to “beautiful trash.” Carefully mix in digital technology. Season with color, line, shape, texture and other spices. Fold in the local environment, lots of creative play and opportunities to give form to ideas. Top with a little metacognitive reflection. Cook long and well. Enjoy! In this presentation, you will also learn how an afterschool program can excel at identifying and nurturing individual creativity. You will sample the programmatic cuisine designed by The Foundry for Big Thought in Dallas and a variety of museum and creative arts settings. This is actually an “old family recipe” based on 40 years of creative work and applied research with children in Texas. Handouts include lesson examples and management suggestions.