Deviance and Creativity: A Different Perspective on Troublemakers
Risk-taking is one of the skills listed when describing creative individuals. It is a willingness to take chances and to fail. It is a desire to deviate and go against conformity. Often, it is an inclination to get into trouble. It is a trait that many teachers dread because it might mean dealing with a […]
X Amount Of Ways To Embrace Mistakes!
*Note: Any typos or mistakes are on purpose, due to the nature of this blog. 😉 Have fun reading! Introduction We’ve all heard about how: Steve Jobs had 123 versions of the iPhone before it worked. Michael Jordan was cut from his college team. Oprah was told she was “unfit” for television. Even though we […]
20 Lessons to Weave Creative Thinking
into Your Curriculum
Ever since Sir Ken Robinson presented his highly regarded TED talk, “Do Schools Kill Creativity?” I have had countless teachers approach me inspired by the “why” we need creativity in the classroom but not knowing how to make it happen. Fortunately, the “how” is the central focus of my professional work and is anchored on […]
Silenzio, Bruno! Building Fearless Environments to Promote Creativity in Schools
It’s August. With the start of school approaching, some teachers have started thinking about how they will organize their classrooms. Others are already going back to school. Somehow, they are all thinking about how to create a great learning environment. If they asked for my advice, I would suggest including a “Silenzio, Bruno” poster in […]
Mandatory Fun: How to Bring a Little Play Into the High School Classroom
I’m not sure where it says in the original teaching manual that you aren’t not supposed to have fun in school, especially high school. I suppose the original mission was to transform teenage students into adults who were serious and ready for the world. The fact is today’s high school students are more aware of […]
I Practice What I Teach
For 17 years, I’ve observed and taught children, ages six to nine, to appreciate the wonders of the world and to find their unique place within it. Maria Montessori calls this period in child development “The Age of Imagination.” To truly see my students and deepen the connection to each one of them requires immediate […]
Intentional Creative Thinking at Home: Lessons from a Visual Arts Teacher
As indicated in the 2018 Future of Jobs Report, creativity continues to be a desirable skill that is emerging as necessary in the workforce worldwide. Creative thinking, defined as intentionally using our minds to solve complex problems with new solutions, is at the heart of creativity. There are identifiable and teachable creative thinking skills that […]
Fail + Learn = Flearn:
8 Ways to Embrace a Creative Mindset
As a parent of teens and an elementary school educator, I can say that this year has been a stressful one for students. Connecting has been more challenging than ever. It is also more essential than ever. It takes a lot of time and effort to create a classroom culture that nurtures a creative mindset. […]
If You Want Creative, Independent Thinkers,
Focus on Emotional Literacy
I strongly believe that students need to feel safe at school and require a climate that enables them to be emotionally ready to learn in the classroom. This environment can only be established if we develop strong relationships built upon mutual respect and trust. Our students need to feel that teachers and key adults care […]
Go Big or Go Home:
Encouraging Risk-Taking in the Classroom
Why go big? Go big or go home is a phrase we frequently use to encourage someone to take a risk. Why is going big so important? Because the “big” is where great things happen. There are many similar sayings out there, such as “no one ever achieved greatness by playing it safe” or “great […]
Beautiful OOps for Adults
Let’s play with Beautiful Oops!
A torn sheet of paper. A little drip of paint. A smudge and a smear. “OOPS!” Often times, children (and adults!) are paralyzed when they have an oops. However, what if we were to take an oops and turn it into something beautiful? This is the wonder-filled lesson of the children’s book, Beautiful Oops, written […]
Creativity, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship:
The Difference and Why it Matters in Education
According to LinkedIn, creativity is the number one skill desired by employers. Companies like McKinsey, for example, seek creative thinkers and problem solvers, and many universities now offer courses that teach creativity. Examples of university courses include: Creativity, Innovation, and Vision Debunking Myths and Enhancing Creativity Creativity, Innovation, and Entrepreneurial Thinking Creative Approaches to Problem […]
Ten TED Talks to Teach Your Students About Creativity
Why Creativity? Creativity is more important now than ever before. In recent years, reports such as The Future of Jobs, from the World Economic Forum, and the Workplace Learning, from Linkedin, emphasized that creativity is an essential skill in the workplace. However, the importance of creativity is not limited to the work environment. Throughout humanity’s […]