Akins Fine Arts Akins Fine Arts DepartmentDepartment

Renée Zellwegger might not have won an Academy Award without the theater courses she took at Katy High School. And it’s possible that Norah Jones may have won multiple Grammy Awards even if she hadn’t attended choir classes at Grapevine Junior High School. But in each of these cases, and in countless others, a quality fine arts education in Texas public schools is at the foundation of their success.

Fine Arts is defined in the Encarta Dictionary Fine Arts is defined in the Encarta Dictionary as being, “any art form, for example, as being, “any art form, for example, painting, sculpture, architecture, drawing, or painting, sculpture, architecture, drawing, or engraving, that is considered to have purely engraving, that is considered to have purely aesthetic value” aesthetic value”

"For our society to move forward, for our culture to survive, fine arts education must remain strong. We already know that kids who study music do better in physics and math. Teaching the fine arts is a rounding of the whole development of the student."--- Representative Rob Eissler, House Public Education Committee Chair

Intentions for today’s Intentions for today’s presentation:presentation:

Who are “WE”?Who are “WE”?

Why do our students give 100% to the Fine Arts Why do our students give 100% to the Fine Arts and only 85% (or less in your class?)and only 85% (or less in your class?)

How can the Fine Arts help How can the Fine Arts help YOU?YOU?

How can How can YOUYOU help the Fine Arts? help the Fine Arts?

Akins Fine Arts DepartmentAkins Fine Arts Department

• Who Are We?Who Are We?

• What courses to we offer?What courses to we offer?

• What are those courses?What are those courses?

Art DepartmentArt Department

• Vivian Holland-Vivian Holland-MedinaMedina

• Eric CannonEric Cannon

• Verna GumbsVerna Gumbs

• Art 1Art 1

• Drawing 2,3, & 4Drawing 2,3, & 4

• Printmaking 2,3, & 4Printmaking 2,3, & 4

• Painting 2,3, & 4Painting 2,3, & 4

• Sculpture 2Sculpture 2

• Metals 2Metals 2

• 2D & 3D Design (AP 2D & 3D Design (AP Studio Art)Studio Art)

Band DepartmentBand Department

• Tate FincherTate Fincher

• Paul CrockettPaul Crockett

• John McClainJohn McClain

• Marching BandMarching Band

• Instrumental Instrumental Ensemble Ensemble

• Band 1,2,3,4 aka Band 1,2,3,4 aka known as Wind known as Wind Ensemble; Symphonic Ensemble; Symphonic Band; Concert BandBand; Concert Band

• Color GuardColor Guard

• Jazz BandJazz Band

• Beginning BandBeginning Band

Choral DepartmentChoral Department

• David PolleyDavid Polley

• Ladies ChoirLadies Choir

• Men’s ChoirMen’s Choir

• Choir 1,2,3,4Choir 1,2,3,4

Dance DepartmentDance Department

Ally GatesAlly Gates

Morgan EddyMorgan Eddy• Diamond DazzlersDiamond Dazzlers

• SapphiresSapphires

• Dance 1 (PE Dance 1 (PE Substitute)Substitute)

• PE (Aerobics)PE (Aerobics)

• Dance 2,3,4Dance 2,3,4

Classical Guitar ProgramClassical Guitar Program

• Cathy BennettCathy Bennett • Guitar 1 Guitar 1 • Guitar 2,3,4 Guitar 2,3,4 (stacked (stacked

class)class)

• Austin Classical Guitar Austin Classical Guitar Society Society

Austin Classical Guitar Austin Classical Guitar SociSociety ety

Music Theory/Piano Music Theory/Piano

• David Polley – David Polley – Piano 1,2, and AP Piano 1,2, and AP Music TheoryMusic Theory

• Cathy Bennett- Cathy Bennett- Piano 1Piano 1

• What is this class?What is this class?

• We teach students We teach students basic basic compositional compositional skills. (notes, skills. (notes, rhythms, chords; rhythms, chords; chord analysis)chord analysis)

• Classroom Piano Classroom Piano

Orchestra DepartmentOrchestra Department

• Cathy BennettCathy Bennett • Orchestra 1,2,3,4 Orchestra 1,2,3,4 aka: Advanced aka: Advanced Orchestra = Orchestra = “Symphony”“Symphony”

• Intermediate Intermediate Orchestra = Orchestra = “Philharmonic”“Philharmonic”

• Beginning Beginning OrchestraOrchestra

Theatre DepartmentTheatre Department

Maureen Siegel Maureen Siegel

Erica VallejoErica Vallejo

Jesus Valles (Speech Jesus Valles (Speech & Debate)& Debate)

• Theatre 1,2,3,4Theatre 1,2,3,4

• Technical Theatre Technical Theatre 1,2,3,41,2,3,4

• Theatre Production Theatre Production 1,2,3,41,2,3,4

What do the Arts do to “pull” in What do the Arts do to “pull” in the the WholeWhole Child? Child?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mw4vqll9cAM

What are some Strategies we use to make 100% of our students accountable?What are some Strategies we use to make 100% of our students accountable?

• 1. They CHOOSE to be in our classes so, it’s not that much of a problem for us. 1. They CHOOSE to be in our classes so, it’s not that much of a problem for us.

• 2. We teach them “leadership” skills; analysis skills; non verbal communication skills etc. 2. We teach them “leadership” skills; analysis skills; non verbal communication skills etc. And frankly, if they don’t give their best, peer pressure sets in!! And frankly, if they don’t give their best, peer pressure sets in!!

• 3. They must remain academically eligible in order to perform on a UIL or Competitive 3. They must remain academically eligible in order to perform on a UIL or Competitive forum. forum.

• We teach to their “soul”. We teach to their “soul”.

How do we do it? How do we do it?

Move slide to different place??Move slide to different place??

We have a whole generation of teachers and parents who have not had the advantage of arts in their own education.

Today, a new picture is emerging. Comprehensive, innovative arts initiatives are taking root in a growing number of school districts.

Many of these models are based on new findings in brain research and cognitive development, and they embrace a variety of approaches….

Using the arts as a learning tool (for example, musical notes to teach fractions); incorporating arts into other core classes (writing and performing a play about, say, slavery); creating a school environment rich in arts and culture (Mozart in the hallways every day hmmmm…)

http://oreil.ly/em1IS6

Why do the Arts “pull” at Why do the Arts “pull” at the heart strings?the heart strings?

…….let’s see……………..…….let’s see……………..

Do you see her spinning Do you see her spinning clockwise or counterclockwise?clockwise or counterclockwise?

youryour

Do you see her spinning Do you see her spinning clockwise or counterclockwise?clockwise or counterclockwise?

CounterclockwiseCounterclockwise

You typically useYou typically use

the left side of the left side of

your brain moreyour brain more

Do you see her spinning Do you see her spinning clockwise or counterclockwise?clockwise or counterclockwise?

CounterclockwiseCounterclockwise ClockwiseClockwise

You typically useYou typically use You typically You typically useuse

the left side of the left side of the right side the right side of of

your brain moreyour brain more your brain your brain moremore

Are you more of a right brained Are you more of a right brained thinker or a left brained thinker or a left brained

thinker?thinker?Left HemisphereLeft Hemisphere

• uses logicuses logic

• detail orienteddetail oriented

• facts rulefacts rule

• present and pastpresent and past

• math and sciencemath and science

• can comprehendcan comprehend

• order/pattern perceptionorder/pattern perception

• reality basedreality based

• forms strategiesforms strategies

• practicalpractical

Right HemisphereRight Hemisphere

• uses feelinguses feeling

• "big picture" oriented"big picture" oriented

• imagination rulesimagination rules

• present and futurepresent and future

• philosophy & religionphilosophy & religion

• can "get it" (i.e. meaning)can "get it" (i.e. meaning)

• believes and appreciatesbelieves and appreciates

• spatial perceptionspatial perception

• risk taking risk taking

Left BrainLeft Brain

• The left hemisphere The left hemisphere recognizes elements recognizes elements that occur one after the that occur one after the other – controlling other – controlling sequences of behaviorsequences of behavior

• Numbers, order, routineNumbers, order, routine

• Factual thinkersFactual thinkers

• Historically serve as Historically serve as accountants, lawyers, accountants, lawyers, doctors, engineers, etc…doctors, engineers, etc…

Right BrainRight Brain

• Doesn’t march single Doesn’t march single file formation A-B-C-file formation A-B-C-DD

• Special talent is the Special talent is the ability to interpret ability to interpret things things simultaneouslysimultaneously

• Big picture thinkingBig picture thinking• Historically serve as Historically serve as

artists, counselors, artists, counselors, designers, etc…designers, etc…

The concept of the WHOLE The concept of the WHOLE mindmind

• ““Two half-brains designed to work together as a smooth, Two half-brains designed to work together as a smooth, single, integrated whole in one entire complete brain. single, integrated whole in one entire complete brain. The left hemisphere knows how to handle logic and the The left hemisphere knows how to handle logic and the right hemisphere knows about the world. Put the two right hemisphere knows about the world. Put the two together and one gets a powerful thinking machine.”together and one gets a powerful thinking machine.”

chairs!

We must develop our We must develop our students use of their right students use of their right brain abilities because we brain abilities because we

are moving from the are moving from the information age to the information age to the

conceptual age.conceptual age.

Ex:Ex:ASIAASIA (many of jobs that we use to do – manufacturing etc are (many of jobs that we use to do – manufacturing etc are

being done by chinese, indians from India) being done by chinese, indians from India)

AUTOMATION AUTOMATION (factories are now being run by robot (factories are now being run by robot

assisted construction; assembly line etc..)assisted construction; assembly line etc..)

Increase the RIGHT BRAIN’S Increase the RIGHT BRAIN’S function by developing the Six function by developing the Six

SensesSenses

•DesignDesign•StoryStory•SymphonySymphony•EmpathyEmpathy•PlayPlay•MeaningMeaning

““These six senses These six senses increasingly will guide increasingly will guide our lives and shape our our lives and shape our world.”world.”

““Those who master them Those who master them first will have a huge first will have a huge advantage.” advantage.”

““Together these six Together these six senses can help senses can help develop the whole new develop the whole new mind this new era mind this new era demands.”demands.”

DesignDesign• ““It’s no longer It’s no longer

sufficient to create a sufficient to create a product, a service, an product, a service, an experience, or a experience, or a lifestyle that’s merely lifestyle that’s merely functional. Today’s functional. Today’s it’s economically it’s economically crucial and personally crucial and personally rewarding to create rewarding to create something that is also something that is also beautiful, whimsical, beautiful, whimsical, or emotionally or emotionally engaging.”engaging.”

Design is utility enhanced by significance

Utility vs. significanceUtility vs. significance

Car Makers have changed their Car Makers have changed their tune…tune…

BMW now says…BMW now says…

““We don’t make We don’t make automobiles, we automobiles, we

make moving works make moving works of art that express of art that express the driver’s love of the driver’s love of

quality.”quality.”

Ford now says…Ford now says…

““In the past, it was all In the past, it was all about a big V-8. about a big V-8. Now it’s about Now it’s about harmony and harmony and

balance.”balance.”

StoryStory

Stories are easier to remember – Stories are easier to remember – because in many ways, stories are because in many ways, stories are

howhow we remember. we remember.

Stories sharpen our understanding of Stories sharpen our understanding of one thing by showing it in the context one thing by showing it in the context

of something else.of something else.

We are our storiesWe are our storiesWe share our own We share our own

history through:history through:

• ScrapbookingScrapbooking

• GenealogyGenealogy

• MoviesMovies

• Family videosFamily videos

• Word of mouthWord of mouth

SymphonySymphonySymphony is…Symphony is…

……the ability to put together the pieces. the ability to put together the pieces. ……the capacity to synthesize rather than the capacity to synthesize rather than

analyze.analyze.……to see relationships between seemingly to see relationships between seemingly

unrelated fields.unrelated fields.……to detect broad patterns rather than to to detect broad patterns rather than to

deliver specific answers.deliver specific answers.……to invent something new by combining to invent something new by combining

elements nobody else thought to pair.elements nobody else thought to pair.

Silly combination Silly combination inventions…inventions…

Think Think BIGBIG PICTUREPICTURE!!

• More and more in business, specialization More and more in business, specialization and compartmentalization is and compartmentalization is outout…and …and being able to see the big picture is being able to see the big picture is inin..

EmpathyEmpathyThis is the ability to imagine yourself in This is the ability to imagine yourself in

someone else’s position and to intuit what someone else’s position and to intuit what that person is feeling. that person is feeling.

It is the ability to stand in others’ shoes, to It is the ability to stand in others’ shoes, to see with their eyes, and to feel with their see with their eyes, and to feel with their hearts. hearts.

Make no mistake…Make no mistake…

Empathy Empathy isis notnot sympathy. sympathy.

That’s feeling bad That’s feeling bad for someone.for someone.

Empathy Empathy isis feeling feeling with someone with someone else, sensing else, sensing what it would what it would be like to be be like to be that person.that person.

PlayPlay• Play and humor can be a Play and humor can be a

cohesive force in an cohesive force in an organization!organization!

• Playing games enhances Playing games enhances the right brain ability to the right brain ability to solve problems by solve problems by recognizing patterns and recognizing patterns and can be a vehicle for self-can be a vehicle for self-expression and self-expression and self-exploration.exploration.

Laughter!Laughter!• Laughter can decrease Laughter can decrease

stress hormones and stress hormones and boost immune boost immune systems!systems!

• Positively benefits Positively benefits mental function.mental function.

• Conditions abdominals!Conditions abdominals!

• Helps move oxygen to Helps move oxygen to body tissues.body tissues.

• Changes perspective.Changes perspective.

MeaningMeaning

Viktor FranklViktor Frankl

Jewish Psychiatrist who wrote the book entitled Jewish Psychiatrist who wrote the book entitled “Man’s Search for Meaning” years after the loss of “Man’s Search for Meaning” years after the loss of

his wife, brother, mother, and father in the his wife, brother, mother, and father in the HolocaustHolocaust

““Man’s main concern is not to gain Man’s main concern is not to gain pleasure or to avoid pain but pleasure or to avoid pain but rather to see a meaning in his rather to see a meaning in his

life.”life.”

According to Daniel Pink…According to Daniel Pink…

Our fundamental drive, Our fundamental drive,

the motivational engine the motivational engine that powers human that powers human

existence, existence,

is the pursuit of meaning. is the pursuit of meaning.

This is what the Akins Fine This is what the Akins Fine Arts Department does so Arts Department does so

well.well.

We teach to our students We teach to our students “Right Side” of the brain. We “Right Side” of the brain. We allow the student to express, allow the student to express,

to explore…to think of the to explore…to think of the “BIG PICTURE”“BIG PICTURE”

But, we need YOUR help But, we need YOUR help with something…..with something…..

Fine Arts MusicalFine Arts Musical

This is where we shine!! This is the project that This is where we shine!! This is the project that EVERYEVERY department in the Fine Arts collaborates department in the Fine Arts collaborates

on. on.

*It takes a lot of time.*It takes a lot of time.

*A lot of participation.*A lot of participation.

*Expectations of Actors, Singers, Musicians, *Expectations of Actors, Singers, Musicians, Musical Director, Musical Conductor, Pianist etc. Musical Director, Musical Conductor, Pianist etc.

It costs A LOT of money!!It costs A LOT of money!!

Why present a Fine Arts Why present a Fine Arts Musical?Musical?

The Fine Arts Musical incorporates all aspects of the arts including music, drama, visual arts, and dance.

In addition to the pure enjoyment of being a part of a stage production, our students benefit from the experience of working cooperatively with their peers and building self-esteem as they gain important theatrical skills and musical aptitude.

Fine Arts MusicalFine Arts Musical(Think of how great it would be if (Think of how great it would be if YOUYOU

were a part of it!!)were a part of it!!)How can we make it better? We need your help!How can we make it better? We need your help!

a. Musical – Campus Support (what does that look like a. Musical – Campus Support (what does that look like specifically?)specifically?)

b. Increased attendance at the musical.b. Increased attendance at the musical.

**How can we fill our theater to capacity for all 4 performances of **How can we fill our theater to capacity for all 4 performances of the musical? the musical?

How can the other teachers help us with this??How can the other teachers help us with this??

c. Curricular Connections.c. Curricular Connections. Critical Analysis of the musical (English Classes)Critical Analysis of the musical (English Classes)

Tie in Historical Context (Social Studies) etc. Tie in Historical Context (Social Studies) etc.

A Former Student’s A Former Student’s Perspective…Perspective…

•http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nClfinVmcOc