Attitudes towards Creativity

Attitudes towards Creativity....

Over the course of the semester, my attitudes towards creativity have definitely changed.  Beginning this semester, I thought of myself as a “creatively challenged” person.  However, after the completion of many assignments and readings, my thoughts and perceptions towards creativity have changed.  

I personally enjoyed working on most assignments, however, the one that gave me the most challenge was the online crossword.  I often find myself technologically challenged and became extremely frustrated with this assignment.  However, after walking away and gathering my thoughts, I was able to complete the task.  What a feeling of joy I had once the assignment was completed!  

I believe creativity can bring an individual joy and pleasure once they give their mind a chance to wonder.  As with the crossword, the feeling of accomplishment is amazing.  I look forward to using many of the activities learned this semester in my classroom.  

My Favorite Creative Assignment

My favorite assignment this semester was the Morphological Analysis.  What an awesome way to encourage creative, problem-solving thinking into the classroom.  I mentioned in my lessons reflection about using this idea with my 7th grade students.  The students found it to be extremely fun and interesting.  I couldn’t believe how well they completed this assignment and proposed solutions to desertification in Africa.  

I plan on using this assignment with other problem/solution lessons this year.  Many teachers today focus on teaching the basic facts.  By teaching the basic facts, students are not allow to actually apply what they are learning.  The Morphological Analysis not only taught my kids about desertification but allowed them the opportunity to be creative and create solutions to a threatening problem occurring across Africa.  

The Hare and the Tortoise

The Hare and the Tortoise using the 6 Hats of Thinking

White Hat- Who/ What- A race between the Hare and the Tortoise.  Hare doesn't think the Tortoise will ever make it to the finish line.  They agree to race.

Red H- What feelings are generated between the two?  Hare feels superior to the Tortoise.  Tortoise is more laid back and carefree.  The Hare's intuition is that he will always win.

Black Hat- Never Give Up.  Hare needs to be cautious of the steady pace of the Tortoise. 

Yellow Hat- Hare is optimistic he will win however the Tortoise sees the value in a slow, steady pace.

Green Hat- What possibilities arise?  Hare doesn't stop and take a nap.  The fox changes the finish line. Alternatives?  They walk together at a slow and steady pace to demonstrate teamwork. 

Blue- What conclusions can be drawn?  It is important to never give up as the Tortoise demonstrated.  Also, one should never be so sure of themselves that they do no try. 

Osborn's 73 Idea-Spurring Questions

Object:  Tote Back (used for carrying books)

Put to other uses:  reusable grocery bag, diaper bag, suitcase, pocket book

Rational:  Due to the size of my tote bag, it can be used multiple ways.  I generally use this bag to carry my school books, however, it can be used to carry anything under 20lbs due to its size and durability.  

Adapt:  Pocket books, diaper bags

Rational:  As I previously mentioned, my tote back has multiple uses.  One may see it as a large pocket book as one may see it as a diaper bag.  

Modify:  Expand the width of the bag

Rational:  The tote bag is very large in length.  However, to get multiple uses out of it, one may put the twist of making it wider as well as keeping the same width.  

Magnify:  Stronger/ More durable straps

Rational:  Although this is a large bag, I do believe it could be more beneficial if it was built for heavier items.  One way to handle heavier items would be to place thicker and heavier straps.

Minify:  The large pocket inside

Rational:  Although many people would like a large pocket inside to store things, the pocket in this bag basically serves as a compartment for dividing items placed in the bag.  If the pocket was smaller, smaller items could be stored without getting lost inside the bag.  

Substitute:  Stronger material

Rational:  A stronger material would allow for heavier items to be placed inside the bag.

Rearrange:  Pocket

Rational:  A smaller inside pocket would allow for the storage of smaller items.

Reverse:  Straps

Rational:  By changing the way the user uses the straps, one could possibly place the bag on their back and carry larger items.

Combine:  Larger width, more durable straps and heavier material

Rational:  This would allow for a bag of multi-uses.  One could use the bag for a variety of things as well as carry more heavier items inside the bag.  

Readers Theatre

Marianne Wood

Readers Theatre 

10/30/2011

Egyptian Gods and Goddesses 

Characters- 

Narrator 1-8

Nun: the dark waters

Ben-Ben:  the hills

Atum:  the first god

Shu: god of the air

Tefnut: god of moisture 

Nut: god of the sky

Geb: god of earth

Four Children:  Osiris(king of earth), Isis(queen of earth), Seth, and Nephthys(not a part)

Horus: Oriris and Isis son

Setting:  Ancient Egypt 

Narrator 1:  This is a story about the creation of the Egyptian gods and goddesses.

Nun:  I am the god of the dark waters and I have created a chaotic world.

Narrator 2:  One day, a hill rose up of a the waters.

Ben-Ben:  I should be called Ben-Ben.  I will be the home of the first god, Atum.  

Narrator 3:  On the hill of Ben-Ben, the first god named Atum arose.  

Atum:  I am the god of Atum and will control the earth.  First, I will create a god of air.  Then, I will create a god of moisture.  This will gives us the atmosphere in which we live.  

Narrator 4:  Shu and Tefnut were created to be the god of air and god of moisture.  The two had two children:  Geb, the god of earth and Nut, the goddess of the sky.  

Geb:  I am the god of earth.  I will create a place for all to live.

Nut:  I am the god of the sky.  Together Geb and I will make a peaceful world.  I will be the canopy of Geb and the earth.

Narrator 5:  Net and Geb had four children named Osiris, Isis, Seth and Nephthys.

Osiris:  I have been named the king of the earth.  My wife Isis will help me rule the earth for many years.  

Isis:  My husband Osiris and I will protect the earth.  

Narrator 6:  Seth was jealous of Osiris because he wanted to be the ruler of the earth.  He grew angrier and angrier and killed Osiris.  

Seth:  I wish my brother was not the king.  I shall kill him and make him go to the underworld and I will be king of the earth.  

Narrator 7:  Osiris and Isis had one son named Horus.  

Horus:  I will battle Seth and take over the earth and become king.  

Narrator 8:  Horus regained the throne and Osiris remained the king of the underworld.  Seth was defeated.  

Equalizing Standards and Creativity

Equalizing Standards and Creativity:  How can we balance the two??

Today, the majority of our curriculum includes high-stakes standards and tests that are required by all students to follow.  With the focus geared on meeting the needs of high-stakes standards and tests, many students are not experiencing creative learning styles and environments.  Teachers are pressured to teach certain skills in order to achieve testing goals mandated by individual states. 

Research has been conducted to determine the effectiveness of high-stakes standards and creativity used in the classroom.  The research demonstrates that both concepts support student learning in different ways and offer variety to their education (Burke-Adams, 2007).   Gifted students often require unique learning needs that are not being met in the regular education setting. 

How can we insure that we are teaching these required standards while being creative at the same time?  Prescribed curriculum does not support teaching basic skills in a creative form.  What are we doing for our academically gifted students?  These students need opportunities where they can thrive in a creative manner. 

Teachers can still teach high-stakes standards while still teaching creatively.  Three components support this idea.  They are teacher behavior, learning environment and instructional strategies.  Teachers should provide opportunities that allow students to explore their own creativity while still focusing on the set skills in place. 

Hard Work vs Sudden Insights

I would like to acknowledge that my products of creativity (such as writing papers) is due to sudden insights.  However, I must admit that the majority of my assignments come from hard work and dedication.  When writing papers, I limit my focus to getting it done.  I know that is not what our readings suggest however my anticipation and nervousness causes me to only focus on the end result.  

When creating lessons for my students, however, I would like to believe that I am creating these units with “sudden insights.”  The majority of the time I have one goal in mine while designing units but end with a totally different product.  I personally believe this can be attributed to my want to give my students something they can excel with while find interest.