It is hard to believe the semester is half way over. Then again I have always said that when you are a teacher life seems to move faster. There are just not enough hours in the day.
Throughout this semester I feel I have already learned more than I ever would have expected about fostering creativity in the classroom. I have to admit, coming into this class as a "reading strand" student was a bit nerve wracking. Even with my experience at a gifted and talented magnet school I still felt out of my comfort zone. Regardless I am beginning to feel more comfortable with the subject.
Overall I have enjoyed diving deeper into the theories and trends of creative education. As a former psych major in college I enjoy learning about how our mind works and the research behind these ideas! I hope that I can begin to implement these schools of thought into my own classroom.
This class has also opened my eyes to realize that in order to foster creativity we must first believe that we too can be creative. Although that sounds so obvious once you admit it to yourself, it is can be very difficult. How can we expect our students to think outside of the box if we never do?
And lastly, while we are being honest, I have to admit... one of my fondest moments from the class so far has been learning more about Odyssey of the Mind. For years I have seen this class listed on the elective choice forms for my students. It wasn't until this class that I learned about all that OM offers students. Embarrassing to admit... yes. Learning more so that I can now support and encourage students... priceless!
This course is allowing me to not only think outside of the box, it is also allowing me to think outside of my comfort zone. Two things I need to practice. And for this teacher I hope practice makes (almost) perfect!
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Theories of Creativity: An Interpretation
These days you can find almost anything on the internet. Between social media, Google, and message boards there is a ton of information just waiting to be found. This week our assignment was to find examples of various theory of creativity in the media.
Rank's Creative type combines living life to the fullest while being aware that life should not be taken for granted. James Dean was a young actor most known for living a short life. In this interview Dean speaks about how even he (known for playing rebel type characters) is cautious on the road.
Jung represents a type of creative person that is both perceptive and judgmental. The reality show Survivor is based on perceptions. Those judgments make or break a contestants' time spent on the island. This clip shows the cast giving their "first empressions" of each other.
Jung's premodial type reminds me of heroes and heroins found throughout literature. One particular piece of greek methology comes to mind... The Oddyseey.
Torrance’s creative type describes several characteristics that were often identified in children. The following blog post uses images and a beautiful poem to describe his work.
http://flowandshow.blogspot.com/2010/03/manifesto-for-children-e-paul-torrance.html
Mental Happenings can happen in an instant. They can also happen over a significant amount of time. I am a huge fan of photography. Secretly I envy those who can take amazing pictures. This website features 10 of the most famous candid shots. They may not really be the most famous but they are 10 of the most shocking/gripping pictures I have ever seen.
http://wickedreport.com/top-10-world-most-famous-photos-ever/
When I was in high school there was a band called Blur. They wrote a song that was just a short two minutes in length. I can't remembe the name of the song, but to create a song that was exactly two minutes in length must have taken some sort of mental happening.
Thomas Edison created over 10,000 prototypes of the lightbulb before he created one that worked. How must he have felt when number 10,001 worked!
J.K. Rowling is the mastermind behind the world of Harry Potter. This spring I saw her in an interview with Oprah describing how she created the concept during a train ride. While most people are catching up on the daily news or gossip Ms. Rowling created a multi-million dollar idea. That is a mental happening at its best.
Rank's Creative type combines living life to the fullest while being aware that life should not be taken for granted. James Dean was a young actor most known for living a short life. In this interview Dean speaks about how even he (known for playing rebel type characters) is cautious on the road.
Jung represents a type of creative person that is both perceptive and judgmental. The reality show Survivor is based on perceptions. Those judgments make or break a contestants' time spent on the island. This clip shows the cast giving their "first empressions" of each other.
Jung's premodial type reminds me of heroes and heroins found throughout literature. One particular piece of greek methology comes to mind... The Oddyseey.
Torrance’s creative type describes several characteristics that were often identified in children. The following blog post uses images and a beautiful poem to describe his work.
http://flowandshow.blogspot.com/2010/03/manifesto-for-children-e-paul-torrance.html
Mental Happenings can happen in an instant. They can also happen over a significant amount of time. I am a huge fan of photography. Secretly I envy those who can take amazing pictures. This website features 10 of the most famous candid shots. They may not really be the most famous but they are 10 of the most shocking/gripping pictures I have ever seen.
http://wickedreport.com/top-10-world-most-famous-photos-ever/
When I was in high school there was a band called Blur. They wrote a song that was just a short two minutes in length. I can't remembe the name of the song, but to create a song that was exactly two minutes in length must have taken some sort of mental happening.
Thomas Edison created over 10,000 prototypes of the lightbulb before he created one that worked. How must he have felt when number 10,001 worked!
J.K. Rowling is the mastermind behind the world of Harry Potter. This spring I saw her in an interview with Oprah describing how she created the concept during a train ride. While most people are catching up on the daily news or gossip Ms. Rowling created a multi-million dollar idea. That is a mental happening at its best.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
A Can AKA Pete the Cat
This week our assignment was to transform a can into something. Sounds simple right? Not so much for this teacher! So instead of harping over what to do I went straight to my creative team... my kindergarten class!
This past week we have been learning about colors. To help us we enlisted the help of Pete the Cat, the amazing character from author Eric Litwin. Pete tells a great story with an even better message... no matter what you step in or go through in life, it's all good! My students have embraced Pete and adopted him as our class mascot for the year. So when it came time to help Mrs. Parks turn her can into something (in a question I posed to them during morning meeting) there unanimous suggestion was PETE!
After we determined what my can would transform into, my students helped me brainstorm how we could do that. The obvious first step would be to paint the can blue. From there I would needed a cat whiskers, eyes, mouth, and ears. In Writer's Workshop we have been learning that we can use shapes to draw pictures. My students suggested I also use shapes to cut out these features. {I must admit... I am glad they suggested that! Although I am trying so hard to be a role model for students by embracing my own creativity my abilities to cut out cat features using scissors and construction paper is lacking.}
Even though I used simple shapes to create these features, I must admit... my Pete looks a bit abstract and that folks is "all good...!"
Before...
After...
** Please excuse my embarrassing use of scotch tape. In the excitement of bringing fun school supplies home from work I over looked my need for Elmer's glue. **
This past week we have been learning about colors. To help us we enlisted the help of Pete the Cat, the amazing character from author Eric Litwin. Pete tells a great story with an even better message... no matter what you step in or go through in life, it's all good! My students have embraced Pete and adopted him as our class mascot for the year. So when it came time to help Mrs. Parks turn her can into something (in a question I posed to them during morning meeting) there unanimous suggestion was PETE!
After we determined what my can would transform into, my students helped me brainstorm how we could do that. The obvious first step would be to paint the can blue. From there I would needed a cat whiskers, eyes, mouth, and ears. In Writer's Workshop we have been learning that we can use shapes to draw pictures. My students suggested I also use shapes to cut out these features. {I must admit... I am glad they suggested that! Although I am trying so hard to be a role model for students by embracing my own creativity my abilities to cut out cat features using scissors and construction paper is lacking.}
Even though I used simple shapes to create these features, I must admit... my Pete looks a bit abstract and that folks is "all good...!"
Before...
After...
** Please excuse my embarrassing use of scotch tape. In the excitement of bringing fun school supplies home from work I over looked my need for Elmer's glue. **
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Living life to the... Full Blastest (if that is even a word)
Before reading the article The Creative Personality by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (quick say it three times as fast as you can...) my outlook on life was to "life life to the fullest." I now hope to take the "full blast" approach of living life, as our author describes it (p. 1, 1996). These ten amazingly creative individuals also take the same approach to living. When I grow up I hope to be half (heck who am I kidding... a fourth) of the person these people are!
1. Creative people have a great deal of physical energy but are also quite at rest.
When I think about this particular creative personality I can't help but imagine a country singer (and for this purpose I will imagine my favorite country star, Kenny Chesney). Musicians who perform on a daily basis have an amazing energy about them. At the same time they also have an incredible ability to rest and chill out while writing the next great love song.
2. Creative people tend to be smart yet naive at the same time.
Although my husband is not a celebrity (although he is a star in my eyes!) he certainly fits this description. He is a super smart guy but even with all those brains he can still find a way to fall for the easiest tricks in the book. I won't throw him under the bus just yet... just trust me on this one.
3. Creative people combine playfulness and discipline, or responsibility and irresponsibility.
Lots of movie stars come to mind when this trait is described. Celebrities as a whole tend to live this type of life style. While they are very disciplined in developing their craft they are notorious for partying so hard they end up on the cover of the latest US Weekly.
4. Creative people alternate between imagination and fantasy, and a rooted sense of reality.
The person who developed the first reality show was the king (or queen) of this philosophy. If you don't believe me just flip through the channels on any given night. Reality TV is everywhere!
5. Creative people tend to be both introverted and extroverted at the same time.
Johnny Depp comes to mind when I think of this description. He seems like the quietest, most shy guy when you see him on interviews or in magazines. It is hard to believe he can transform into the eccentric, out there characters he is best known for (Edward Scissor Hands, Jack Sparrow, The Mad Hatter).
6. Creative people are humble and proud at the same time.
My favorite team of all time is the New York Yankees. I have been in love with them since my grandmother first told me about listening to their games on the radio as a child. Anyhow I digress... Derek Jeter is my absolute favorite player. Believe it or not it has nothing to do with his devilish good looks but everything to do with his amazing, Hubble attitude. At the same time he is proud of his hard work and he gives back to his community encouraging kids to reach their up most potential no matter their circumstances. Jeter is an amazing role model and even better ball player.
7. Creative people, to an extent, escape rigid gender role stereotyping.
Hilary Clinton, Bev Perdue... both women who became "the first women" to do their jobs. It takes a lot of creativity to accomplish such a task... that and a ton of courage!
8. Creative people are both rebellious and creative.
Lindsey Lohan anyone? Successful actress... seriously rebellious.
9. Most creative people are very passionate about their work, yet they can be extremely objective about it as well.
The Microsoft giant, Bill Gates, comes to mind when I think about this characteristic. Imagine the hard work, determination, and objectivity that had to in place in order to create the empire he has created?!
10. Creative people's openness and sensitivity often exposes them to suffering and pain, yet also to a great deal of enjoyment.
Once again my mind goes to the great country singer. This time I think of Johnny Cash. Pain and suffering can be found throughout many of his songs but think of the enjoyment he must have had throughout his life (post the drugs and June of course).
1. Creative people have a great deal of physical energy but are also quite at rest.
When I think about this particular creative personality I can't help but imagine a country singer (and for this purpose I will imagine my favorite country star, Kenny Chesney). Musicians who perform on a daily basis have an amazing energy about them. At the same time they also have an incredible ability to rest and chill out while writing the next great love song.
2. Creative people tend to be smart yet naive at the same time.
Although my husband is not a celebrity (although he is a star in my eyes!) he certainly fits this description. He is a super smart guy but even with all those brains he can still find a way to fall for the easiest tricks in the book. I won't throw him under the bus just yet... just trust me on this one.
3. Creative people combine playfulness and discipline, or responsibility and irresponsibility.
Lots of movie stars come to mind when this trait is described. Celebrities as a whole tend to live this type of life style. While they are very disciplined in developing their craft they are notorious for partying so hard they end up on the cover of the latest US Weekly.
4. Creative people alternate between imagination and fantasy, and a rooted sense of reality.
The person who developed the first reality show was the king (or queen) of this philosophy. If you don't believe me just flip through the channels on any given night. Reality TV is everywhere!
5. Creative people tend to be both introverted and extroverted at the same time.
Johnny Depp comes to mind when I think of this description. He seems like the quietest, most shy guy when you see him on interviews or in magazines. It is hard to believe he can transform into the eccentric, out there characters he is best known for (Edward Scissor Hands, Jack Sparrow, The Mad Hatter).
6. Creative people are humble and proud at the same time.
My favorite team of all time is the New York Yankees. I have been in love with them since my grandmother first told me about listening to their games on the radio as a child. Anyhow I digress... Derek Jeter is my absolute favorite player. Believe it or not it has nothing to do with his devilish good looks but everything to do with his amazing, Hubble attitude. At the same time he is proud of his hard work and he gives back to his community encouraging kids to reach their up most potential no matter their circumstances. Jeter is an amazing role model and even better ball player.
7. Creative people, to an extent, escape rigid gender role stereotyping.
Hilary Clinton, Bev Perdue... both women who became "the first women" to do their jobs. It takes a lot of creativity to accomplish such a task... that and a ton of courage!
8. Creative people are both rebellious and creative.
Lindsey Lohan anyone? Successful actress... seriously rebellious.
9. Most creative people are very passionate about their work, yet they can be extremely objective about it as well.
The Microsoft giant, Bill Gates, comes to mind when I think about this characteristic. Imagine the hard work, determination, and objectivity that had to in place in order to create the empire he has created?!
10. Creative people's openness and sensitivity often exposes them to suffering and pain, yet also to a great deal of enjoyment.
Once again my mind goes to the great country singer. This time I think of Johnny Cash. Pain and suffering can be found throughout many of his songs but think of the enjoyment he must have had throughout his life (post the drugs and June of course).
Friday, September 2, 2011
Idea Squelchers, The Education Edition
When I was in undergrad I daydreamed about what it would be like to realize my dream of becoming a teacher. Unfortunately a semester of student teaching quickly helped me face reality. Teaching was far from what I expected (in both positive and negative ways). The last five years of my career have literally changed my life. I love my job but I must say there are certainly aspects of the classroom that can really take the fun out of teaching. Here are my top six "Idea Squelchers" in Schools...
1. But that is not politically correct.
We have all heard this statement, especially come Christmas time. It is frustrating to me that I must discuss how others from around the world celebrate the holidays while I feverishly remember to not dare mention the word Christmas. To avoid this my kindergarten team has resorted to focusing on winter themes rather than holidays because it is just easier to plan a unit integrating gingerbread men and snow flakes than it is to avoid stepping on anyone's toes.
2. There is just no money in our budget this year.
Although my mama always told me... "money isn't everything" it sure doesn't hurt. Not in a marriage and most certainly not in a classroom.
3. I have always done it that way...
If I had a dollar for every time one of my ex teammates said this to me I would have a lot of dollars! Just because you did something your students enjoyed once doesn't mean it is the end all be all in the world of teaching. Teaching should be about sharing ideas and developing old ones to consistently improve your lesson plans. Let's face it... in teaching there is really no such thing as a truly original idea!
4. No matter what I do they will never learn.
This one is just plan ridiculous. Every child may not be able to learn at the same rate but they can learn and they will if they have a teacher who believes in them. What is the saying... "if you shoot for the moon you will land among the stars?" Pretty powerful motto for a classroom teacher don't you think?
5. That sounds too complicated for a _____ year old student.
As a kindergarten teacher I have heard this remark several times throughout my career. It always baffles me how educators can be their students' worst enemies. Have faith in children. They have the determination I only wish I could have half of the time.
6. I did not see that on the Standard Course of Study.
Just because something isn't listed on a profile card doesn't mean we cannot integrate it into our current lesson plans. Making learning interesting and fun is half the battle. Sicking to scripted text book lessons can take the fun out of learning. It can also take the fun out of teaching!
Idea squelchers can really such the life out of teaching (and life for that matter!). As educators we must look past these as we trug along offering our students our very best. As I write this list I have to chuckle. You see in the first seven days of school I have already heard five out of six on my list. The only reason I have not heard number six yet... today was our first official day of kindergarten and we didn't get too far past how to line up to go to the bathroom.
1. But that is not politically correct.
We have all heard this statement, especially come Christmas time. It is frustrating to me that I must discuss how others from around the world celebrate the holidays while I feverishly remember to not dare mention the word Christmas. To avoid this my kindergarten team has resorted to focusing on winter themes rather than holidays because it is just easier to plan a unit integrating gingerbread men and snow flakes than it is to avoid stepping on anyone's toes.
2. There is just no money in our budget this year.
Although my mama always told me... "money isn't everything" it sure doesn't hurt. Not in a marriage and most certainly not in a classroom.
3. I have always done it that way...
If I had a dollar for every time one of my ex teammates said this to me I would have a lot of dollars! Just because you did something your students enjoyed once doesn't mean it is the end all be all in the world of teaching. Teaching should be about sharing ideas and developing old ones to consistently improve your lesson plans. Let's face it... in teaching there is really no such thing as a truly original idea!
4. No matter what I do they will never learn.
This one is just plan ridiculous. Every child may not be able to learn at the same rate but they can learn and they will if they have a teacher who believes in them. What is the saying... "if you shoot for the moon you will land among the stars?" Pretty powerful motto for a classroom teacher don't you think?
5. That sounds too complicated for a _____ year old student.
As a kindergarten teacher I have heard this remark several times throughout my career. It always baffles me how educators can be their students' worst enemies. Have faith in children. They have the determination I only wish I could have half of the time.
6. I did not see that on the Standard Course of Study.
Just because something isn't listed on a profile card doesn't mean we cannot integrate it into our current lesson plans. Making learning interesting and fun is half the battle. Sicking to scripted text book lessons can take the fun out of learning. It can also take the fun out of teaching!
Idea squelchers can really such the life out of teaching (and life for that matter!). As educators we must look past these as we trug along offering our students our very best. As I write this list I have to chuckle. You see in the first seven days of school I have already heard five out of six on my list. The only reason I have not heard number six yet... today was our first official day of kindergarten and we didn't get too far past how to line up to go to the bathroom.
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