@NipRockArt

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What is sketchnoting?  Why is it useful?  How does a person create a sketchnote? Our senior art class is going to learn about sketchnoting and use it to help us understand critical thinking.  (well, that's the plan... we'll see how it goes) First, an intro video: *this is one of several videos on either sketchnoting or visual note taking Sketchnoting is quite different than "regular" note-taking because you have to sift through the material you are trying to collect.  You won't try to capture everything , and instead you must decide which ideas are most important along with the information that will support/illustrate/explain those ideas. We will explore the work of "noteworthy" sketchnoters, such as Sylvia Duckworth , Katharina TB , Silvia Tolisano  and more (if you know a great sketchnoter, send a tweet my way!   @ColleenKR ) Moving on to critical thinking: Our class will use sketchnoting to visualize the information from the followi...

Grade 11 students are continuing to develop ideas for #Canada150 artworks by following the steps in the Design Process .  Last week, we developed mind maps that helped us share our ideas about our topic.   Take a look through some of the examples here . Now that we have created mind maps, our next step is to prioritize what is important to us.  We will look at all of our ideas in our mind maps and create thumbnail sketches for the most important ideas. Today, we listened to Clara Lieu explain how she developed thumbnail sketches after creating mind maps:    It will be interesting to see students make decisions about their most important ideas, and to watch them develop sketches for their artworks!

Last week, grade 11 art students were introduced to #Canada150 , a project that will challenge our ideas about citizenship, identity and expression.  This week, we are beginning our preliminary work. This work will help us focus on the main ideas from a variety of perspectives.  To help, I will be sharing Clara Lieu's October Art Dare with students -- brainstorming and mind mapping are fabulous techniques to generate ideas! Why is it important to generate ideas?  Originality and creativity are two words that are often thrown around, but what do they mean? Your thoughts, your ideas, and your perspectives need to be shared.  I have already seen and heard my own ideas, as well as those from other artists.  This is your chance to find out what you are capable of.  How do you see things?  What is your opinion?  How do we form an opinion or an idea about #Canada150?  This week is devoted to developing your ideas.  *We are following the ...

In 2017, Canada will celebrate its 150th anniversary of Confederation .  To prepare for next year's event, senior art students will be challenged to prepare an artwork (or a series of work) that represents their understanding of Canada through a social and political lens. How should we celebrate Canada in 2017?  How do we view Canada, and how do we see ourselves (and others) as Canadian?  Do we appreciate our differences or are we limited to our own perspectives and experiences? In December 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada released its final report .  Is this report important to our growth and success as a country?  Why does/should it matter?  Do you think that some people are unaware of the importance of this report?  Why or why not? Christi Belcourt is one of Canada's finest artists .  Her work is honest, revealing and beautifully intriguing.  This summer, she spoke with CBC radio to describe how she turned an...

Our first priority as we get warmed up for the semester:  we need to relax.  How will we relax?  We're going to play! Before we begin our activities, each student will need to set up a Google account and a blog.  If you don't have a Google account, please visit this site : When/if you have your Google account ready, it's time to create your blog! Find the BLOGGER app by clicking on the icon shown above. Find "Blogger" and click "New Blog".  Follow the steps to create your blog for this course:  Think of a title that you'll be happy to share, as well as a blog address (you will share this address with me once your blog is created).  When it is up & running, feel free to play with the look and the theme of your blog -- I can help you with this too! To find your URL, click on the button "view blog".  Send this link to me (I'll give you my email address in class). ~~~ This week's challenge is PLAY.  We...

E-Learning can be very challenging, especially when you're learning about new tools and you're trying to be creative.  Fortunately, my Media Arts students were up for a challenge!  Congratulations to my class, who have pushed their own abilities and found success in the online environment!

A note to my grade 9 students:  I'm writing this to you on Sunday morning because I'm a geek.  I'm also doing this to avoid other things I'm supposed to be doing, like folding my laundry. ...gotta love Snapchat I'm learning about something called critical thinking , which is really interesting to geeky people like me.  Today, you're going to use a bit of critical thinking to help you question what you're going to see and hear.  After you watch the two short videos, you will form an opinion based on your new knowledge.  Don't worry:  it's easy and fun.  Time to get your geek on. Your first video is made by McHooots , and I found myself totally enjoying his sense of humour, even though I didn't think I would.   When we think critically, we want to go beyond simply watching a video or reading text.  Critical thinking helps us understand what we're watching & reading. I have a few questions to help you think about what ...

Grade 10 Art students: This is the last component of your final task.  Don't forget to complete your notes (10 marks) as well as your presentation (25 marks).  

"Going to school" means so much more than learning about math, art, science or physical education.  When we learn, we are also developing our character.  Whenever possible, it is important to notice what we are doing and how we are growing as people who will make an impact on others. Peter Cameron is an educator who uses every opportunity to share these principles with his students. His classroom has had a very positive influence on our world, and recently, he invited my students to share in this experience.  Please read " #Schools4FortMac " to see how he and his students provided an opportunity for schools to learn about so much more than textbook material.   My e-learning Media Art students used their new skills to create Google Drawings, which are similar to digital posters.  Each drawing provides information and helpful links for readers who would like to help support their fellow Canadians in times of need.  Please look through the student post...