A long time ago in a far away land....and here is some data on that.
Submitted by Arlyn McCullock on Mon, 2017-06-05 00:00
I can tell you the historical facts, the dimensions, and the materials and techniques used in Picassos painting Guernica. I can show you posters, reproductions, and even how to draw or paint it. We could read articles written by famous important art critics. Some would find theses facts enjoyable and many, many, may not. I am even bored to tears after dredging through a factually overloaded historical article written about objects I love. Now for the rest of the story.
Spaniards are loud and talk a lot. Sorry Spaniards, but you taught me this. You are proud of it. I have seen the painting Guernica in person on four different occasions. Each time the room which holds the painting was full of…..quiet Spaniards. Quiet Spaniards? What? No Ole? Cathedrals on Sundays in Spain are way noisier. Do you want to know more about this magical painting with the abilities to quell a Spanish tongue? No? Ok. More facts.
A fact: as a child in science classes I always remembered thinking it was all about facts, data, and facts. I loved sciences. I loved facts, but I thought science was missing. I am an art teacher. I think arts fulfill the part of the sciences I felt was missing: the beauty, the excitement and passion of somebody who tells a story. When teaching students about Guernica, I have both told the story of the quiet Spanish, and not told the story. Each time I present the “facts” about the painting. The students who hear the narrative are, on a whole, more interested in the painting than the students who hear the only the facts and see the painting. The painting didn’t change. I’m not less excited when presenting the information either way. Presenting the facts with a narrative was the element that affected the students’ level of interest.
Today, I really enjoyed the concept of using narrative in the sciences. The ability that theses narratives have to create or cross borders was attention grabbing. A rush of information and ideas presented to us by the personable, helpful, and knowledgeable members of the MILES program has really gotten me excited for the next day.
Science teacher, please read us a story.
Comments
Digital Learning
I enjoyed creating a digital story and than my first blog. I learned alot about the ecosystem and how it provides water for us. The Portneuf River is getting contaminated and this is affecting our natural water purification process because the wetlands were covered with levees. We need to recreate wetlands in the lower areas of Marsh Creek because this area is the most affected by sedimentary pollution. The state and livestock owners are working together in the higher area by developing water troughs for the livestock to drink from so they do not contaminate the stream with soil erosion when the drink and feed along the bank, plus their waste empties into the water as well. Fences are being exclusively created to line the river bank to stop the interferance of livestock and allowing the vegative grassland to grow back. The owners are also moving their corrals too. The lower area of the Marsh Creek is owned my many different people so it may be tricky to implement any conservation management, but I believe the lands owners will cooperate like land owners of the high portion of Marsh Creek. I am learning a lot from the videos I watch on the Miles Projects.
Beautifully said!
Thank you Arlyn! That was a beautiful description!
Thanks!
Thanks Alesha!
So agree!
Great blog amigo! You always make me appreciate art more and look at things differently. I so agree with teaching through narratives. Your students are more engaged and remember the content more when they are also interested in what you are teaching. When teaching about hotpools in Yellowstone I read them a story in a book called "Deaths in Yellowstone." The story is about someone that jumps in a hotpool head first to save his dog that decided to go for a swim. I promise that anyone that hears that story doesn't just look at the pools as pretty, they are also pretty deadly.
Gracias!
Thanks! You are a story telling master for student engagemet.
Thanks!
Thanks Arlyn. You've given me something to think about. With our classes being longer next year, I've been thinking how I can use that time most effectively. Your blog today has already given me a few ideas:)
Thanks!
Inspiring you is inspiring.
Thanks!
Thanks Arlyn. You've given me something to think about. With our classes being longer next year, I've been thinking how I can use that time most effectively. Your blog today has already given me a few ideas:)