# data[].attributes.headline
As a teacher I am looking forward to the end of the year to see how much my students have grown, both academically and emotionally.  I am looking forward to summer because I am taking my son to a Visual effects class in Los Angeles.  

# data[].attributes.subject
As a teacher I am looking forward to the end of the year to see how much my students have grown, both academically and emotionally.  I am looking forward to summer because I am taking my son to a Visual effects class in Los Angeles.  

# data[].attributes.body
Idalia

# data[].attributes.headline
Animal legends integrating art and writing.  

# data[].attributes.subject
Animal legends integrating art and writing.  

# data[].attributes.body
The teachers used many examples of formative assessments. She started with samples of work. She then had students create a visual representation of their interpretation. She also had her class create a rubric together for the purpose of writing their own legend. I think she could have used think, pair, share, while reading the legend to her classroom. She could have used this to discuss the elements of a legend. Overall she had many examples of formative assessment interwoven through out the lesson. Idalia

# data[].attributes.headline
As a teacher I am looking forward to beginning new opportunities to teach visual arts to K-12 students and nurturing confidence in their individual skills and creativity.  One thing I am looking forward to this summer is taking trips with my husband in our trailer and visiting new places. 

# data[].attributes.subject
As a teacher I am looking forward to beginning new opportunities to teach visual arts to K-12 students and nurturing confidence in their individual skills and creativity.  One thing I am looking forward to this summer is taking trips with my husband in our trailer and visiting new places. 

# data[].attributes.body
Eleanor

# data[].attributes.body
I plan to take advantage of my new View Sonic to help me present my lesson in different ways. For example I would use visual pictures, graphic organizers and music. I would also plan to have students choose the way in which they want to present their learning in a form of a play, puppet show, song. I think this would keep them more engaged and then they would take ownership of their learning. Idalia

# data[].attributes.body
I thought that Irene McCuaig did an excellent job of using Formative Assessment. From the beginning, motivating the students by of looking at samples of Installation Art, brainstorming throughout the process, planning through directed learning with guided questions, giving general expectations of expressing emotions, senses and creating a 3D art piece. The ideas were generated from experiences shared during a recent trip the class took to Toronto. And Then, using oral discussions, check lists, Self and Peer reviews and a visual presentation.  This was done throughout the whole creating process..
The general expectations: expressing emotions and senses, use of the the color blue and the long rectangle shape, individual as well as group work made it possible for all learners to participate.
Eleanor

# data[].attributes.body
I will use story reading, visuals with several examples as well as examples they can touch. I will include verbal descriptions using a vocabulary bank. I will also use video demonstrations for"how to" techniques.  They will also work in small groups for collaboration as well as personal reflection times to plan their project.
Eleanor

# data[].attributes.headline
As a teacher I'm also looking forward to the end of the year.  I love seeing how much my students have grown.  I also enjoy the feeling of closure so I can begin making plans for the next year.  In my life outside of school I'm looking forward to our family camping trips planned for the summer.

# data[].attributes.subject
As a teacher I'm also looking forward to the end of the year.  I love seeing how much my students have grown.  I also enjoy the feeling of closure so I can begin making plans for the next year.  In my life outside of school I'm looking forward to our family camping trips planned for the summer.

# data[].attributes.body
-Jen

# data[].attributes.body
In this lesson, the teacher showed examples of high quality work and engaged the students in the collaborative creation of student checklists and a rubric.  All in all , she set high expectations and ensured that the students were clear about how to meet them.  I also agree that one way this teacher could improve her practice is to let go of the habit of calling on students with raised hands to provide answers.  Instead, when she asked, "what genre of story do you think this will be?" she might have provided time for students to think/pair/share and then pull a stick to choose the student to share their response with the class.
-Jen

# data[].attributes.body
I found some UDL practices in the final video that I plan to apply in my lesson plan.  In my lesson, we will be creating painted papers showing various textures.  I can offer students various mediums - tempura, glitter paint, and oil pastels are all options.  I can also encourage students to choose from various painting tools such as bubble wrap, puff balls, sponges, stamps, and textured rollers.
-Jen

# data[].attributes.body
As a teacher I am looking forward to having time this summer to plan and develop more effective lessons and to increase my own artistic skills by taking a drawing class. Outside of school, I am looking forward to taking my daughter to Canada with my husband to visit the island we went to for our honeymoon. Kali

# data[].attributes.body
The lesson presented by Irene McCuaig included many examples of formative assessment. First she started by giving a written assignment which provided an opportunity for all students to respond and contribute to the group brainstorm for ideas about image and activities they want to use describing their class trip. She also describe the process she used for checking for understanding and attainment of skills throughout lessons or a unit of study. This process starts with an assignment that is completed with guided instruction and practice for specific techniques, then an independent assignment is given for students to demonstrate their attainment of the techniques taught in the first assignment, and then a final assignment where students are given the opportunity to create and express ideas integrating both old and newly acquired skills and techniques. Another example of formative assessment was giving the students a chance to give written and verbal reflection if their own work. Although the instructor had students collaborate and work together, she could have also used peer feedback, specifically the method described in the Dylan Wiliam article: Two stars and one wish.  I really liked how simple and effective this method would be to get students to work together.
Kali

# data[].attributes.body
I am always looking forward to seeing my students make connections between the classroom and the world. I feel like summer break when trips become more likely they have a better opportunity to make connections. i enjoy hearing their stories about their experiences after a break from the classroom. I always personally look forward to spending time relaxing with family and friends, exploring new places and down time.

# data[].attributes.body
I also watched the video of Ms. McCuaig's students creating an art installation. I agree with the others that she used many formative assessment techniques during this lesson. By starting with a brainstorming session she was able to give the students the opportunity to collaborate and demonstrate their background knowledge prior to beginning their art. She guided them in focusing their efforts since the installation would be a group project by determining what gaps or lack of understanding the students might have. She includes more that one instance where the students are required to record their thinking before, during and after there completion of their project. I liked that she united them in creating the theme based on their group trip but it was not exclusive because even students who did not attend the trip where able to engage and contribute to the project.

# data[].attributes.body
Watching the videos about UDL reminded me of the first video of this module and how the art teacher from William Finch talked about working with students from where they are when they come into her classroom. She spoke about how students come in at every level and that she helps them grow from there. I think any good teacher does this in some way pretty much unconsciously. If you can make conscious decisions or lesson that meet the needs of all your learners your lessons are only more successful and the learning that much richer for all, teacher included. I do this in my classroom by incorporating different learning strategies as much as possible in my lessons. I use a lot of technology and formative assessment to make sure my lessons are engaging, students needs are being met and to allow myself the opportunity to make changes or adaptions to lessons to achieve a the desire of equality for all students in the learning. Teaching is a living thing and adaptation is a necessity. No student, class, or year will be the same so changes can always be made and improvements can always help learning be attainable and interesting.

# data[].attributes.body
I like that the assignment refers to looking forward. It is in my nature to look forward. Our school is set in a beautiful wooded area, with nature outside of every window. We look forward to interacting with the natural world on a daily basis. It is my goal to show students how precious the world around them truly is, and we have a "Watershed Art Program" that gives them the opportunity to express themselves through art. I look forward to helping students realize how powerful they are when it comes to taking charge of their own decisions and how they look at the world around them.

In my personal life, I am looking forward to having my granddaughter join me in my classroom next year with her best friend. I have wondered if it would affect my relationship with her, becoming her teacher, but as I watch her grow I realize it can only serve to enhance and expand our time together.
Tammera

# data[].attributes.body
I enjoyed the examples of formative assessment, especially when the children guided the formation of the assessment...like the checklist.
I also liked the incorporation of personal space. I also thought the use of the circle during presentation was awesome, that way everyone could see what each student was doing. By creating a poem together, there was a basis for the isolated movements that he was striving to help students understand.  I especially think these methods of assessment did engage the learners and gave them opportunities for peer support and building confidence.
I think  these methods can bring dance into the realm of PE, where students are learning about their bodies and what they are capable of doing with them.
Tammera

# data[].attributes.body
We have been exploring the use of UDL practices at our site this year. Every teacher has designed a template (Tic-tac-toe style grid) that allows students to choose the 3 ways they would like to express their learning. Everyone must do the middle of the grid, but can decide which direction they want to proceed within the context of the template. In this way, students are empowered through choice to demonstrate their understanding of the topic. Every template is required to have an art avenue, a computer avenue, a discussion avenue, and a written avenue. It is also nice to have student input when creating the template, if possible, to create buy-in on their part.
Tammera

# data[].attributes.body
Starting with the "Why" seems to be a good place to start.  For example, asking about students' background knowledge, experiences, and what questions  they might have will help get their attention and prepare them to learn and acquire new skills and information in the lesson.  Reading  stories, presenting short videos, or  showing actual examples of artwork all work well to introduce a topic and generate discussion amongst students allowing for them to relate and recall their personal connections.  To reduce obstacles for the "what" providing as many learning modalities as possible would help all students in the class to be able to access the information relevant to the lesson.  For example, during the lesson it is important to providing written and auditory information along with graphics (pictures, illustrations, animation, video, posters, etc.), and physical samples that they can feel and touch.  It may also be useful for students to work in pairs or groups so students can discuss and clarify their understanding with each other (it is often helpful to hear the information again from another person, who may have a different and clearer way of explaining something or an example that is more relatable).
I am struggling with how to make the "how" part of a lesson or activity accessible to all students in my class.  The article discusses creating or providing a whole variety of technology and tools that is outside of mine and probably many other "general education" teachers scope of knowledge and expertise.  I understand providing students with extra time and alternatives for them to create and present their work, but it seems overwhelming and perhaps difficult to  justify and explain to the students why some students are doing the assignment differently. Perhaps, and interesting assignment would be to have all students create a work of art with some sort of constraint (for example instead of using the hands to hold a paint brush they must use their feet, or perhaps they need to close their eyes), this may help all the students empathize and experience alternative methods of creating artwork.  They will learn that the physical creation of the work is different, however the mental, emotional, and creative process is still the same.
Kali

# data[].attributes.body
As a teacher I am looking forward to graduation. Not just because it represents the end of the year but because I have a handful of students that I have been working wiht for the last three years that are graduating, and being able to see the results of my hard work after all this time is such a rewarding feeling. Outside of school I am looking forward to getting back out on the lake and spending time with my kiddos, as well as travelling to SoCal to see my parents.

# data[].attributes.body
I really loved this lesson because they did something that the students could really be invested in and that they could connect with. A great formative assessment that the students used was peer feedback. the students leaned how important it is to have feedback form their peers and to really listen to each other and their ides. It would have been even more effective if the students used a rubric they could fill out when they were looking at each other's works, perhaps in a gallery format.

# data[].attributes.body
UDL is actually something that I have learned this last year while working on my Master's in Education and my Admin Credential. It is so important to make sure all of our students can learn and engage despite their challenges. For my lesson I might actually have students with disabilities find images that represent their thoughts and feelings instead of having to paint or cut magazines to create a collage.

# data[].attributes.body
As a teacher I'm looking forward to seeing my students promote from 8th grade. I'm excited to hear about what their plans are for high school and beyond. It has been a difficult year--this particular group of students has been challenging. I'm looking forward to them getting the opportunity to mix up a bit in high  school and hopefully avoid some of the dynamics that have contributed to their difficulties with behavior, etc. this year. I'm also looking forward to moving into my new home!
Jen