Local teaching star and rap sensation Zach Lehner (aka Zigzilla) is
back with more catchy educational content. The lesson: How to read
art.
“It’s
so easy just to glance at something and then move on,” Lehner told
the Outpost recently. Reading art is a multi-step thinking
process — one that Bill Funkhouser, an arts learning specialist at
the Humboldt County Office of Education, says should be utilized
across the curriculum.
“A
lot of people think that only creating art is the only aspect of art
education,” said Funkhouser, who is a coordinator of the Arts
and Creativity Initiative, a federally-funded program
that commissioned the videos. “It’s equally important to read art
and respond to art. They’re like the three legs of the art
education tripod.”
Art,
like written text, can be read. How? Through a series of five hip-hop
videos, Lehner, who teaches sixth grade at Pacific Union Elementary
School in Arcata, models the process. He layered works of art with
his own lyrics, all to beats created by his brother, also a musician
who goes by 9 Theory. To appeal to a more elementary audience, Lehner
rewrote the lyrics and passed them along to his friend, Lauren
Nicole, to create a slower version. One other artist, Jesse Wheeler,
created a related video independently of Lehner and Nicole.
The
series takes viewers on a magical musical adventure outlining the
three steps to reading art. Through the first four videos, you’ll
learn the nine elements to look for when deciphering art, which is
step one. After identifying those details, you’ll be invited to
think about what’s going on in the scene, what it’s about, or
what messages the artist may have intended to communicate in the
fifth and final music video (step 2). The fifth song also includes
the third step, which is discussing art. For a more engaging
explanation of this process that rhymes, go ahead and click on a
video or two already.
To
create the videos, Lehner decided it would be strongest to actually
demonstrate the process rather than just explain it. “I was really
kind of blown away with just how well it works, and how much fun it
was for me to look at the art myself,” he said. “I experienced
what I really want my students to experience.”
Though
it seems simple, the reading art process is very intentional, and
drives learning immediately and down the road. Reading art isn’t an
art lesson in the traditional sense; it can and should be used simply
as a way to introduce students to new concepts in any subject area,
Funkhouser says. By looking at a painting and wondering about the
backstory, students develop an interest in the topic before the
lesson has begun, which serves them well throughout learning the
material. As important as the art itself is the thinking process
students learn to use when reading it.
“Where
we’re trying to get [teachers] to is the ability to use art to teach
any subject. So whether it’s, you know, science, social studies, it
doesn’t matter. It all uses the same thinking,” Funkhouser said.
Once students have mastered the thinking process used to read art,
they’re better prepared to handle projects that might be more
difficult, like a writing assignment.
The
practice is tried and true by Lehner himself, who has integrated
reading art across the curriculum for his sixth-graders. At first the
process was confusing for them, Lehner said. The students weren’t
sure how to talk about the art. But after some practice, they’re
accustomed to it. “The songs got them hooked too, they love the
songs,” he said.
Lehner
recently introduced a lesson about Ashoka, an ancient emperor of
India, by showing a few portraits of the figure to his class. “It
was just amazing — they hadn’t read a single word. I hadn’t told
them who this person was, I hadn’t told him what he did, yet they’re
looking at the art and they are just putting together the whole
story,” Lehner said. In his experience, leading with art rather
than a reading or lecture leads to richer class conversation, and
once it is time to read about the topic, students are already
invested. “That’s what I love about it the most. They want to
learn, they’re hungry. They’re like, ‘Give me the article! What
is this about?’”
Lehner
has noticed an increase in student engagement with the implementation
of reading art, even over distance learning. As a result, the quality
of their work has improved. His class recently turned in a batch of
essays, which were “the best essays I’ve ever had on this
particular lesson, across the board,” Lehner said. It’s “because
they already really connected with it.”
Funkhouser
and Lehner both stressed that reading art is a way to balance the
learning experience for all students. Based on visuals rather than
written text, the material becomes more accessible for English
learners or students with different reading abilities. Those students
“may see an article and kind of freeze up and shut down. But when
they see the art they can join the conversation, and they can think
about it, and talk about it,” Lehner said.
Though
the videos are targeted at students, they’ve helped other teachers
grasp reading art as well. The videos have been out for a couple
months now, and Lehner said he’s heard a lot of positive feedback.
One teacher in particular, who teaches music, didn’t see how
reading art could apply to her class and thought the process was a
waste of her time. But the final video in Lehner’s series, which is
about the second and third steps in reading art — thinking and
talking — helped her get it. “Something about hearing it through
music in seeing it rhythmically, it just clicked for her, and this
teacher now uses images almost like every day,” Lehner said.
“Something about music, you know, it speaks to us in a different
way.”
“Reading
Art Across the Curriculum” is a series of lessons
originally produced by Focus
5, Inc, an arts integration consulting group.
Funkhouser said he and his team collaborated with Focus 5 to adapt
the lessons for the Arts and Creativity Initiative, which is a
four-year federally funded grant training about 100 teachers in four
counties how to integrate arts into their curriculum. “Reading Art
Across the Curriculum” is the project’s main focus this school
year, Funkhouser said. The videos, resources, and lesson plans
distributed to this group are accessible and free to the public at
ArtsIntegration.net.
James was able to travel in his short life and loved Hawaii! He spent most of his life in California and Arizona. James learned at a young age from his father to lay tile and construction and was able to use that throughout his life. He enjoyed helping others and even though he didn’t have a lot he would give what he could.
Anyone who met James knew he was liked to make people laugh, he always joked and tried to have a good time. James will be loved and forever missed!
James is survived by his mother, Cindy Garrett; his father, James Wagner; his three sisters, Misty Garrett, Tiffinie wagner, Alena Elliott; brother Lucas Garrett; his children, Nathaniel Rolling, Jaymes Wagner and Jasmine Wagner; his two granddaughters, Luna and Ellie Rollings; his many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, stepmother and siblings.
James’s family will be having a small celebration of life on Sunday, Feb. 21. Contact a family member for more info.
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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of James Wagner’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.
Bryan Clifford Moore passed away on January 31, 2021 at Shady Oaks Hospital in Los Angeles after suffering from health issues over the last year.
Bryan was born on October 24,1957 in Fortuna to Doyle and Mildred Moore. He and his 2 sisters, Kim and Koni lived in Myers Flatt and Alaska before settling down in Rio Dell. Bryan was an adventurous kid who loved riding dirt bikes, which he passed down to his boys. Music has always been part of Bryan. At a young age he learned to play guitar. He and some childhood friends even had a garage band called “Black Velvet.” He enjoyed showing his granddaughters how to play the violin and guitar. Bryan could play many instruments. If there was a guitar laying around you could always find Bryan picking it up and singing for everyone.
After graduating from Fortuna High School, Bryan married his highschool sweetheart Deb and they had three sons Ryan, Dustin and Matthew. Bryan loved spending time in the woods, especially with his father. His father’s love for running heavy equipment and logging was passed down to Bryan. He spent most of his life working at Eel River Sawmill, running heavy equipment for Humboldt Redwood Company, and driving logging trucks for Leonardo Logging. He also loved to hunt with his sons or take his grandchildren fishing. Bryan loved spoiling his grandkids and always kept candy in his pockets for them.
Bryan is survived by his two sisters Kim (Ken) Porter and Koni Elam; his 3 sons Ryan (Sabrina), Dustin (Seylena) and Matt (Alisha) Moore; nephew Cody (Ashley) Elam and sons Kameron and Braxton and niece Brittany (Jesse) Halvorson and sons Dylan and Jace. Bryan also leaves behind his longtime friend Lisa Fredrickson. Bryan will truly be missed by his grandchildren Kaiya (Gavin), Talyn, Tycen, Hazel, Ivan, Nadya, Jorden, Aaron, Allie, Ashten, and Aubree. Bryan is preceded in death by his parents Doyle and Mildred Moore and his best friend Tony Sandberg.
There will be a celebration of life at a later date. The family would like to thank everyone for their kind words and support during this difficult time.
###
The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Brian Moore’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.
On February 15, 2021, at about 6:15 a.m., officers with the Eureka Police Department
responded to St. Joseph Hospital for the report of a male on scene with gunshot
wounds. Officers contacted the 51-year-old male victim who had visible injuries to the
head and a gunshot wound to the groin area.
Nelson
Based on the investigation, it was determined the shooting incident occurred around
4:00 a.m. at the victim’s residence at the 1300 block of 9th Street in Eureka. The victim
was transported to the hospital by an acquaintance. Based on statements made by the
victim, the suspect was identified as 35-year-old Cory Nelson of McKinleyville. The
victim and Nelson are known to each other.
It is believed that Nelson entered the victim’s residence, demanded money, assaulted
him, and shot him in the groin. An arrest warrant was issued for Nelson for mayhem,
assault with a firearm, robbery, and felon in possession of a firearm.
On February 16, 2021, at about 2:15 p.m., the Eureka Police Department’s Problem
Oriented Policing Unity (POP), with the assistance of the Humboldt County Drug Task
Force (DTF), arrested Nelson at a residence at the 1800 block of Ocean Avenue in
McKinleyville. Nelson was transported and booked into the Humboldt County
Correctional Facility for the above listed charges.
This is an active investigation. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to
contact the Eureka Police Department at (707) 441-4388.
On February 16, 2021, at about 6:23 a.m., officers with the Eureka Police Department
(EPD) responded to 5th (Northbound Highway 101) and S Streets for the report of an
injury traffic collision involving a pedestrian and a vehicle.
The 45-year-old male pedestrian was found down on the ground with what appeared to
be major injuries. Humboldt Bay Fire and City Ambulance arrived on scene and
provided medical care and transportation to the hospital. The 79-year-old male driver
of the vehicle remained on scene and was cooperative throughout the investigation.
Preliminary investigation indicates that at the time of the collision, the involved vehicle
was traveling on 5th Street and the pedestrian was at the corner of the intersection with
a stroller full of belongings. For unknown reasons, the pedestrian suddenly stepped into
the roadway into the path of the oncoming vehicle and was stuck. The exact cause of
the collision is under investigation.
The pedestrian remains in critical condition. The driver of the vehicle was evaluated on
scene and displayed no signs of impairment. This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone
with information is asked to contact the Eureka Police Department at (707) 441-4044.
A local man arrested in Utah with triple-murder suspect Mauricio Eduardo Johnson was arraigned in a Utah court today on a charge of being a fugitive from justice.
Von Eric Keener, 46, appeared via video before Judge Dianna Gibson in Third District Court, Tooele County. Gibson told Keener he is a charged with being a fugitive, and he has “a no-bail warrant out of California.”
“OK,” Keener responded.
Asked if he wanted an attorney, Keener said “I have no job. Am I going to need an attorney, or are they just going to come and pick me up?”
The judge appointed a lawyer for Keener and told him to call the lawyer. She set his next hearing for the afternoon of March 23.
Keener was arrested Feb. 18 on Interstate 80 while riding in a car with the 18-year-old Johnson, the son of Keener’s girlfriend. Johnson is suspected of shooting three people to death on Feb. 10 in a home on the Bear River Rancheria: Margarett Lee Moon, 40, her fiance Nikki Dion Metcalf, 40, and her 16-year-old daughter Shelly Moon. Two younger children in the house were not harmed. One of the kids called 911 to report the shooting.
At the time of the arrest Johnson’s mother, Melissa Sanchez-Johnson, was reportedly driving in a separate vehicle behind Keener and her son. She was taken into custody but is not in jail now, a Tooele County Detention Center spokesman said. He said Mauricio Johnson remains at the detention center and has not been to court.
“We’re holding him on an out-of-state warrant,” he said.
Keener is on parole in California. Today he wore an orange-and-white striped uniform and a face mask.
Clockwise from upper left: Valenzuela, Mitchell, Fode, Thomson, Godoy-Standley.
More than four years after Tyson Eduardo Claros was shot dead during a carjacking near Manila, attorneys are still trying to work out how much restitution the five defendants owe Claros’s parents and step-parents.
Eddie and Cami Claros and Cristina and Michael Dennison are requesting compensation for lost wages during years of attending court hearings and meetings with law enforcement. They also want to be reimbursed for funeral costs, counseling sessions and other expenses.
Defendants Brandon Mitchell, Catherine Fode, Nicole Thomson, Hector Godoy-Standley and Cesar Valenzuela were sentenced to state prison for their roles in the December 2016 killing of the 20-year-old Claros. Mitchell, the shooter, and Valenzuela, who pleaded guilty to carjacking, are already serving their prison terms. The other three defendants have not yet been transported and were in court today for the hearing.
Defense attorneys have raised questions about some of the restitution claims, and Judge Christopher Wilson also noted there might be “some credibility issues.”
For example, the judge said, Eddie and Cami Claros say they attended 32 two-hour meetings at the District Attorney’s Office.
“I don’t see how that’s even remotely possible,” Wilson said.
Also, payment was requested for “memorial jewelry and funeral keepsakes for family members” and for a dinner that may or may not be associated with the funeral.
“(Defense) counsel will want to scrutinize the requests,” Wilson said.
Eddie Claros has asked to be reimbursed for lost wages at a rate of $169 per hour. And one of the claimants submitted a $23,000 bill for counseling.
Eddie and Cami Claros were watching the hearing via Zoom, and Wilson was about to have them testify about their claims and be cross-examined by defense attorneys. But then Deputy District Attorney Carolyn Schaffer, who had placed a phone call to the couple, said they didn’t want to be questioned.
“They are experiencing a great amount of trauma at this time,” Schaffer said. “Testifying would only increase the amount of trauma they are experiencing … I think they’ve reached their wits’ end, and understandably so.”
In the end, the judge set out this timeline: Schaffer is to have documentation of the claims to the court by Feb. 24. Defense attorneys have until March 10 to submit their responses. On March 19, Wilson will issue his tentative ruling. Also on that date, another hearing may be set for calling witnesses for cross-examination.
Wilson said he knows all involved are weary of the dragged-out proceedings. He hopes to soon “put the courtroom chapter of this tragedy to rest.”
Fode is represented by Neal Sanders, Thomson by David Nims, Godoy-Standley by Russ Clanton, Mitchell by Andrea Sullivan and Valenzuela by Deputy Public Defender Casey Russo. Russo said today that because Valenzuela admitted only to carjacking, he should not owe restitution for any expenses relating to the killing.
In other court news, as jurors are being summoned for the trial of rape suspect David Anderson II, attorneys are still discussing a possible settlement in the case.
This morning Judge Christopher Wilson agreed to meet privately with the prosecutor, Deputy District Attorney Stacey Eads, and Anderson’s attorney Michael Acosta, to discuss ongoing negotiations.
In the meantime, should the trial proceed, a panel of prospective jurors is expected to be brought in Friday and questioned about their eligibility to serve.
Anderson has already been convicted of sex trafficking. He is now charged with raping and sodomizing a 16-year-old Eureka girl. At Anderson’s preliminary hearing the judge dismissed a sex-trafficking charge for lack of evidence.
According to the teenage victim, Anderson told her during the sexual assault incident that “I could make a lot of money off you.”
Eads refiled the sex-trafficking charge and Acosta filed a motion to dismiss it. Judge Larry Killoran granted Acosta’s motion and the charge was dropped.
The next hearing in the case is scheduled for Thursday morning.
Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:
On Feb. 14, 2021, at about 7:53 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies on patrol in the area of Alderpoint Road and Redwood Drive, in Garberville, conducted a traffic stop for a vehicle code violation.
Upon deputy contact, the driver of the vehicle provided deputies with a false name. Through further investigation, deputies were able to identify the driver as 34-year-old Codi Ronald Owens of Eureka. Owens was found to have a suspended driver’s license and to be on probation. Deputies searched the vehicle pursuant to the terms of Owens’ probation. During the search of the vehicle, deputies located over 24 grams of methamphetamine, over 16 grams of heroin, over 23 grams of Oxycodone pills, approximately 7 pounds of cannabis bud, a large bag of cannabis trim and over 4 grams of suspected cocaine. Deputies also located a large amount of cash, items consistent with drug sales and two firearms, one of which was loaded.
Owens was arrested and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of possession of a controlled substance while armed (HS 11370.1(a)), possession of a controlled substance (HS 11378), transport/sale of a controlled substance (HS 11379(a)), possession of a controlled substance for sales (HS 11351), transportation/sale of a controlled substance (HS 11352(a)), possession of cocaine (HS 11351.5), felon in possession of a firearm (PC 29800(A)(1)), person prohibited in possession of ammunition (PC 30305(a)), false impersonation (PC 529(A)(3)) and violation of probation (PC 1203.2(a)(4)).
Anyone with information about this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.
