Welcome to our engaging discussion on distance learning, brought to you by Common Sense Education. I’m Melissa Cleaver, one of the Education Outreach Managers in Nebraska. Today, we are thrilled to share insights from our conversation with Crayola representatives, Sherry Sturman and James Wells, on how educators can build supportive relationships within the learning community, particularly with families.
Sherry Sturman has been with Crayola for over 30 years, contributing to a vibrant and colorful environment that supports professional development for teachers. James Wells, with a background in visual arts and experience as a district arts administrator in Memphis, Tennessee, has been part of Crayola for over three years.
The pandemic has presented unique challenges but also opportunities to enhance family engagement in education. Since March, families have become integral to the learning process, moving beyond traditional conferences and events. This shift emphasizes empowering student voices and nurturing their creative abilities.
Research underscores the importance of creativity in education. A 2019 Gallup poll revealed that 87% of teachers and 77% of parents believe creative experiences lead to better learning outcomes than traditional methods. This belief fuels our commitment to fostering creatively alive kids.
One of Crayola’s projects involves students examining public art, such as murals and statues, to determine if they reflect their community’s values. Students are encouraged to articulate positive values and create their own art that embodies these ideals. This process not only empowers students but also connects their school learning with home experiences.
Creating spaces for courageous conversations is crucial, especially around public art. Common Sense Education highlights the importance of relationships and communication in developing digital citizenship, teaching students to express themselves respectfully both online and offline.
Crayola has developed an acronym to guide conversations and build strong relationships. The first three pillars focus on celebrating strengths, respecting diversity, and engaging fully. Recognizing others’ strengths, respecting diverse perspectives, and engaging in meaningful dialogue are essential components.
The next pillar is accepting mistakes as part of the learning process. Mistakes are opportunities for growth. Trusting one another with positive intent is also vital, as it helps navigate challenges effectively. Lastly, extending learning with high expectations encourages students to reach their full potential. These tools are particularly valuable in remote learning environments, where students can express themselves through various platforms.
The Create Relationships tool is a framework for courageous conversations, especially on social justice topics. It encourages students to reflect on their interactions and ensures respect and understanding of diverse perspectives. For instance, the redesign of the Mississippi state flag, which involved public input, can inspire students to create their own flags or family crests that reflect their values.
Another project, “Buddies Keep Me Company,” involves students creating little buddies and writing from their perspectives, fostering empathy and perspective-taking.
The Create Relationships tool is essential for building connections with students and their families, especially in remote teaching. Public art can spark important conversations about community values and social justice, making these discussions accessible to everyone.
Thank you for joining us today. This conversation, along with resource links, will be available on our Common Sense YouTube channel. If you have questions, feel free to reach out. Don’t miss our upcoming webinar with Peter Reynolds!
Engage in a virtual tour of public art installations in your community. Analyze the themes and messages conveyed by these artworks. Discuss with your peers how these pieces reflect or challenge community values. This activity will help you understand the role of art in social commentary and community identity.
Design your own piece of art that represents your personal values or those of your family. Use any medium you prefer, such as drawing, painting, or digital art. Share your creation with classmates and explain the significance behind your artistic choices. This will enhance your ability to express complex ideas creatively.
Engage in a role-playing activity where you assume the perspective of a historical or contemporary figure involved in social justice. Write and present a short speech from their viewpoint, focusing on their contributions and challenges. This will develop your empathy and understanding of diverse perspectives.
Organize a virtual art night where you and your family members create art together. Use Crayola’s CREATE™ framework to guide your discussions and reflections on the art you produce. This activity will strengthen family bonds and encourage open communication about values and creativity.
Reflect on a recent mistake you made in your academic or personal life. Write a short essay on what you learned from this experience and how it has contributed to your growth. Share your reflections with peers to foster a supportive learning environment where mistakes are seen as opportunities for development.
**Sanitized Transcript:**
Welcome to our discussion on distance learning with Common Sense. My name is Melissa Cleaver, and I am one of the Common Sense Education Outreach Managers in Nebraska. Our conversation will be posted on our Common Sense Education YouTube channel, along with all the links and resources we will share today.
I am excited to have some guests from Crayola with us today: Sherry Sturman and James Wells. We will chat about how educators can create supportive relationships within the entire learning community, especially with families.
To start us off, James and Sherry, could you tell us a little about yourselves and the organization you represent?
Sure! I have been with Crayola for over 30 years. It’s hard to believe how quickly time flies! It is such a joy to work in such a colorful environment, and we provide professional development for teachers, learning so much in the process.
Hi, I’m James Wells, and I have been with Crayola for a little over three years. Before joining Crayola, I was a district arts administrator in Memphis, Tennessee, and I have a background in visual arts, having taught middle and high school students.
Great! Let’s dive into our topic today: co-educating families in today’s environment. There is a silver lining in the challenges posed by the pandemic. It has given us the opportunity to enhance family engagement and work together as co-educators. Since March, the education system has woven families into the learning process in a much more significant way. It’s no longer enough to just check off the box with conferences or annual events. We emphasize the importance of empowering student voice and helping kids discover their creative abilities.
Research shows that creativity is essential for better learning outcomes. For instance, a 2019 Gallup poll found that 87% of teachers and 77% of parents believe that creative experiences lead to better learning outcomes than traditional teaching methods. This fuels our passion for fostering creatively alive kids.
Could you provide an example of this?
Absolutely! One example we focus on at Crayola is a project centered around murals and statues. This topic is highly relevant in today’s discussions. We encourage students to examine public art and discuss whether the figures and events represented align with their community’s current values. They are challenged to articulate positive values that should be represented and create their own works of art that reflect those values. This process empowers students and allows them to connect their learning at school with their experiences at home.
It’s crucial to create spaces for courageous conversations, especially around topics like public art. Common Sense Education emphasizes the importance of relationships and communication in developing digital citizenship. Students need to learn how to express themselves respectfully, both in real life and online.
Sherry, could you share some of Crayola’s strategies or tools to empower student voice?
Certainly! We have developed an acronym to help create strong relationships, which guides conversations around public art and classroom experiences. The first three pillars focus on celebrating strengths, respecting diversity, and engaging fully. It’s essential to recognize and appreciate the strengths of others, respect diverse perspectives, and engage in meaningful dialogue.
James, could you share the next three pillars?
Of course! The next pillar is accepting mistakes as part of the learning process. We all make mistakes, and that’s where learning happens. The fifth pillar is to trust one another with positive intent. Establishing trust allows us to navigate challenges more effectively. Lastly, we emphasize extending learning with high expectations, which encourages students to reach their full potential.
These tools are especially valuable in remote learning environments, where students can express themselves through various platforms.
Can you elaborate on how these relationship-building tools are important for exploring social justice topics?
Absolutely! The Create Relationships tool serves as a framework for courageous conversations, especially when discussing social justice. It helps students reflect on their interactions and ensures they are being respectful and understanding of diverse perspectives.
For example, we can look at recent events, such as the redesign of the Mississippi state flag, which involved public input to create a more inclusive symbol. This can inspire students to create their own flags or family crests that reflect their values and beliefs.
We also have a project called “Buddies Keep Me Company,” where students create little buddies and write from their perspectives, practicing empathy and perspective-taking.
As we wrap up, what is the top takeaway you would like to share?
I want everyone to remember the importance of the Create Relationships tool in building connections, not just with students but also with their families in remote teaching experiences.
James, what’s your takeaway?
Public art can serve as a springboard for important conversations about community values and social justice. These discussions can happen right in our neighborhoods, making them accessible to everyone.
Thank you both for sharing these valuable insights and resources. This conversation will be posted on our Common Sense YouTube channel, along with the links to the resources discussed today.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. We also have an upcoming webinar with Peter Reynolds that you won’t want to miss!
Thank you for joining us today!
Art – The expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power. – The art gallery featured an impressive collection of contemporary pieces that challenged the students to think critically about modern society.
Education – The process of receiving or giving systematic instruction, especially at a school or university. – The education program emphasized the importance of integrating technology into the classroom to enhance learning outcomes.
Creativity – The use of imagination or original ideas to create something; inventiveness. – The workshop encouraged creativity among students by allowing them to explore various art mediums and techniques.
Students – Individuals who are enrolled in an educational institution for the purpose of learning and acquiring knowledge. – The students collaborated on a mural project that depicted the history and culture of their community.
Families – Groups consisting of parents and their children, considered as a unit, often involved in educational contexts to support learning. – The school organized an art exhibition where families were invited to view and celebrate the students’ achievements.
Relationships – The way in which two or more people or things are connected, or the state of being connected, often influencing educational experiences. – Building strong relationships between teachers and students can significantly enhance the learning environment.
Engagement – The act of being involved or participating in something, often referring to the level of interest and participation in educational activities. – The interactive art session increased student engagement and fostered a deeper understanding of the subject matter.
Community – A group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common, often contributing to a shared educational experience. – The community art project brought together students from different backgrounds to create a mural that represented their shared values.
Diversity – The state of being diverse; a range of different things, often referring to the inclusion of different types of people in educational settings. – The art curriculum was designed to reflect the diversity of the student body, incorporating various cultural perspectives.
Voice – The expression of thoughts or feelings in spoken or written words, often emphasized in educational contexts to empower students. – The art class provided a platform for students to find their voice and express their unique perspectives through their creations.
