Music instruction helps children read

Children exposed to a multi-year program of music involving increasingly complex rhythmic, tonal, and practical skills display superior cognitive performance in reading skills compared with their non-musically trained peers, according to a study published in the Psychology of Music journal. According to authors Joseph M. Piro and Camilo Ortiz from Long Island University, data from this study will help to clarify the role of music study on cognition and shed light on the question of the potential of music to enhance school performance in language and literacy.
Read more: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090316075843.htm

John L. Weinkein: New Art Basics

John L. Weinkein, 61, professor and chairman of the Department of Visual Arts at Texas Woman’s University, passed away March 26, 2009. John was an instumental part of the New Art Basics project at Iowa State University.

John is survived by his loving wife, Gayle Loeffler; his mother, Aileen; his son, Eric; daughter-in-law, Magdalena; and grandson, Filip. He also leaves behind his stepsons, Shaun Ellis and Brandon Ellis; step-daughter-in-law, Michelle; and step-granddaughter, Alina. John’s work and life of integrity has touched and inspired many. He was loved and respected by all who knew him.

Memorial services will be Friday, April 3, 2009, at 2 p.m. at Horizon Unitarian Universalist Church, 1641 W. Hebron Pkwy, Carrollton, TX 75010.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to The John Weinkein Distinction in the Visual Arts Award Endowment, made payable to TWU Foundation/John Weinkein Endowment. The mailing address is Institutional Development, Texas Woman’s University, P.O. Box 425618, Denton, TX 76204.

Grant Opportunities for Arts Teachers

Music instruction helps children read
Children exposed to a multi-year program of music involving increasingly complex rhythmic, tonal, and practical skills display superior cognitive performance in reading skills compared with their non-musically trained peers, according to a study published in the Psychology of Music journal. According to authors Joseph M. Piro and Camilo Ortiz from Long Island University, data from this study will help to clarify the role of music study on cognition and shed light on the question of the potential of music to enhance school performance in language and literacy.
Read more: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090316075843.htm


Fund for Teachers: Grants for Travel and Growth
The Fund for Teachers makes direct grants to teachers for summer learning opportunities of their own design. Maximum award: $5,000. Eligibility: teachers K-12 with a minimum of three years teaching experience; teachers must be full-time and spend at least 50 percent of the time in the classroom when grants are approved and made. Deadline: varies by state.
http://www.fundforteachers.org/apply.html

Music Is Revolution: Mini-grants
The Music Is Revolution Foundation makes mini-grants for activities designed by teachers to implement, support, and/or improve their ability to provide quality music education for their students. Funds may be used for supplies, materials, equipment, transportation for a field trip, and/or to bring a performer or musical group to the school. Maximum award: $500. Eligibility: public school teachers of children in grades K-12. Deadline: April 15, 2009.
http://www.musicisrevolution.org/


Target Store Grants – Arts
Target funds arts programs that bring the arts to schools or make it affordable for youth and families to participate in cultural experiences, such as school touring programs, field trips to the theater or symphony, or artists residencies and workshops in schools. Programs that make the arts accessible to school children are of particular interest. Target will accept grant applications online between March 1 and May 31, 2009, for programs taking place between October 1, 2009, and September 30, 2010. You will receive notification about your request by September 30, 2009. Most grants average between $1,000 and $3,000.

http://sites.target.com/site/en/company/page.jsp;jsessionid=XGA0BLDGEKU0XLARAAVPYAQ?contentId=WCMP04-031819

Target also supports early childhood reading and family violence prevention.

Bill Strickland: One Slide at a Time

I just stumbled across an inspiring video. It is not new, but the story is powerful: "As a Pittsburgh youth besieged by racism in the crumbling remains of the steel economy, Bill Strickland should have been one of the Rust Belt's casualties. Instead, he discovered the potter's wheel, and the transforming power of fountains, irrepressible dreams, and the slide show."
If you think that no one cares and no one person can make a difference: watch and listen to Bill Strickland.

Bill's story is about the ways that the arts can change people's lives. See his website.

National Schools of Distinction in Arts Education Award

Nominations for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts National Schools of Distinction in Arts Education Award (formerly the Creative Ticket Award) are due Friday, April 3rd. This Award honors up to five schools each year from across the nation that provide teaching programs in the four basic art forms (music, visual arts, dance and theatre).

Each State Alliance is eligible to nominate up to five schools for consideration for the national-level award. In addition, the KCAAEN collaborates with the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) to recognize the K-8 Principals of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts National Schools of Distinction in Arts Education -Winning Schools.
The Application Form

21st Century Skills Video

Check out this interesting YouTube video has been posted by Ken Kay from Partnership for 21st Century Skills. He answered the recent questions and clarified the marriage between content and 21st century skills. Read comments, including by Diane Franken, our Executive Director.

Charles Schultz said it best

Click on the cartoon strip to see the whole thing.

From a Designer's Point of View

IDEO is a design consulting firm in California. The firm’s work with Ormondale Elementary School, in Portola Valley, California, helped pioneer a special “investigative-learning” curriculum that inspires students to be seekers of knowledge.
Metropolis Magazine has published another point of view concerning 21st. Century Skills.