Since this week's blog was up to me I decided to share a snippet of a speech that I created this summer. I was asked to the be the Youth Day speaker at my church this past June. I was excited, eager, and little aprehensive all in one. I was excited that the committee thought enough of me to take on such a duty, I was eager to meet the challenge before me, and a little apprehensive if I was actually "worthy" enough to address the church congregation.
So I prayed and one day while rearranging my classroom I came across the book, The Tiny Seed By: Eric Carle-and the ideas began to flow. The entire speech came to me in a matter of minutes. It was like my hand couldn't keep up the ideas that were in my mind. In the end I was able intertwine biblical scripture and a great children's story to share a really powerful message. I wonder if this would be considered Big "C" or little "c" creativity. Here is a snippet of my message...Hope you enjoy!
Who can recall what challenges the tiny seed faced? Wait for responses. It faced the hot sun, an icy mountain, a deep ocean, and a dry desert. The tiny seed experienced adversity of the various elements, but through it all it was protected.
The heat from the suns rays burned several seeds, but the tiny seed was protected.
Everyone say, “I’m protected!”
The frost on the mountain tops prevented some of the seeds from growing, but the tiny seed was protected. Everyone say, “I’m protected!”
The ocean waters were too deep and several seeds drowned, but the tiny seed was protected.
Everyone say, “I’m protected!”
The dryness of the desert killed one seed, but the tiny seed was protected.
Everyone say, “I’m protected!”
In life you will experience some dry deserts, deep oceans, icy mountains, and some heat. We all face obstacles, challenges, and hard ships. Your desert may be sickness, your mountain may be heartache, your ocean maybe addiction, your heat maybe the people on your job, your mountain may be the inability to forgive someone that hurt you, your ocean may be procrastination, your heat may be lying, your heat may be your lack of faith or your lack of praise…but I’m here to tell you that no matter what obstacle you face, through Christ Jesus you are protected!
For the bible says in Matthew 17:20-“For verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”
You too can make it like the tiny seed. Everyone say, “I can make it!”
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Definitions and Theories Via YouTube
Here is my list of individuals and/or groups that demonstrate the definitions and theories of creativity...ENJOY!
*Rank's Creative Type: Tyler Perry
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WF_10F7eYRE
A well- adjusted artist that overcame adversity of being homeless to becoming a millionaire author, artist, producer, and movie director.
*Jung's Psychological Type of Creative Person: Amy Tan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8D0pwe4vaQo
This novelist shares her personal experiences and passion for life through her creative works of art. I LOVE The Joy Luck Club!
*Jung's Visionary Type and Primordial Archetypes: Marilyn Manson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pdf1Q5__uvg
From The Wonder Years to I wonder what the hell he's smoking. To me he is the epitome of a dark visionary.
*Torrance's Creative Type: Dr. Oz
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMHPdwnN2z4
This man can take the most complicated thoughts and express them so EVERYONE can understand. I don't think there is a medically mystery that he can't solve.
*The Creative Press: Our schools
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Eh2QlJfuHM
This clip highlights exactly what "bad press" in our schools looks like.
*Mental Happenings: All a little eerie and mysteriously creative
In Art-Tim Burton
In Music-Michael Jackson
In Science-Einstein
In Literature-J.K. Rowling
*Rank's Creative Type: Tyler Perry
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WF_10F7eYRE
A well- adjusted artist that overcame adversity of being homeless to becoming a millionaire author, artist, producer, and movie director.
*Jung's Psychological Type of Creative Person: Amy Tan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8D0pwe4vaQo
This novelist shares her personal experiences and passion for life through her creative works of art. I LOVE The Joy Luck Club!
*Jung's Visionary Type and Primordial Archetypes: Marilyn Manson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pdf1Q5__uvg
From The Wonder Years to I wonder what the hell he's smoking. To me he is the epitome of a dark visionary.
*Torrance's Creative Type: Dr. Oz
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMHPdwnN2z4
This man can take the most complicated thoughts and express them so EVERYONE can understand. I don't think there is a medically mystery that he can't solve.
*The Creative Press: Our schools
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Eh2QlJfuHM
This clip highlights exactly what "bad press" in our schools looks like.
*Mental Happenings: All a little eerie and mysteriously creative
In Art-Tim Burton
In Music-Michael Jackson
In Science-Einstein
In Literature-J.K. Rowling
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Creativity in the Classroom-Article Reviews
About Creativity- Martha had a clear since of what she deemed as creative versus academically gifted. She referred to creative children as "free thinkers" and those that display "imaginative intelligence". What set these children apart from noncreative gifted learners is their curiosity, emotional intensity, and curiosity. Martha's knowledge about common characteristics of both creative and/or academically gifted children assists her in identifying learners. One of the first components of teaching gifted learners is having the ability to recognize who they are. They walk to their own beat-sometimes they create the beat.
What Martha didn't do (along with teachers in the Linking Theory Into Practice article) was put into practice the instructional strategies and theories in the classroom. It happens all the time, you go to a professional development workshop, love the ideas, know that your kids could benefit, but you find yourself going back to your old routine. WHY?
1. Change takes time and effort.
2.Teachers have to "buy-in" to the models.
3.Lack of on-going training/professional development opportunities.
4.Personal educational philosophies and aims of gifted education.
After reading these articles I've decided to share some of the models that I follow in my classroom at my next PLC. Maybe there are some of my colleagues that are knowing, but not implementing. I alone have the power to influence and encourage them to attack the reasons WHY.
1.Provide teachers with simple starters to implement models.
2. Show them how successful it is in my classroom.
3. Allott time at each PLC to assist with instructional strategies.
4. Develop an aim, goals, or focus to reach the needs of these learners as a PLC.
What Martha didn't do (along with teachers in the Linking Theory Into Practice article) was put into practice the instructional strategies and theories in the classroom. It happens all the time, you go to a professional development workshop, love the ideas, know that your kids could benefit, but you find yourself going back to your old routine. WHY?
1. Change takes time and effort.
2.Teachers have to "buy-in" to the models.
3.Lack of on-going training/professional development opportunities.
4.Personal educational philosophies and aims of gifted education.
After reading these articles I've decided to share some of the models that I follow in my classroom at my next PLC. Maybe there are some of my colleagues that are knowing, but not implementing. I alone have the power to influence and encourage them to attack the reasons WHY.
1.Provide teachers with simple starters to implement models.
2. Show them how successful it is in my classroom.
3. Allott time at each PLC to assist with instructional strategies.
4. Develop an aim, goals, or focus to reach the needs of these learners as a PLC.
The Creative Personality
The Creative Personality By: Dr. Csikszentmihalyi
Here’s my breakdown of creative folks…
Creative people have a great deal of physical energy, but they’re also often quiet and at rest.
Beyonce-She sings, dances, acts, writes songs, designs clothes, promotes advertising for make-up, hair color, and etc…But you never hear about her personal and private affairs (hence relationship & marriage to Jay-Z). I guess if I were this busy I would need an altar-ego too!
Creative people tend to be smart and naïve at the same time.
My sister-she is genius when it comes to academics, but constantly our family is there to pick up the pieces when
“I didn’t think that would happen” or “OHHHHH!” “I don’t know.”
Creative people combine playfulness and discipline, or responsibility and irresponsibility.
Kanye West-He is a creative genius when it comes to music, but an irresponsible meltdown having mess when it comes to everything else.
Creative people alternate between imagination and fantasy, and a rooted sense of reality.
Michael Jackson-Need I say more?
Creative people tend to be both extroverted and introverted.
My aunt-the cook. She keeps a packed house with family and friends enjoying her creative cuisines, but just as much as she loves the company, she loves an empty house just the same.
Creative people are humble and proud at the same time.
Oprah Winfrey-She comes from very humble beginnings and has made it to the top, but never bragging and extravagant.
Creative people to an extent, escape rigid gender role stereotyping.
Laila Ali-She is strong, powerful, and athletic. A successful female boxer that can dance with the stars!
Creative people are both rebellious and conservative.
Rihana-When she first stepped on the music scene, the world was introduced to the conservative and cute Barbados girl. With her umbrella in tow in 2007 she became the good girl gone bad-really bad with Chris Brown.
Most creative people are very passionate about their work, yet they can be extremely objective about it as well.
My Cousin-She by far is one of the most talented hairstylist that I know. She transforms people with the work of her hands, but she is her worst critic.
Creative people’s openness and sensitivity often expose them to suffering and pain, yet also to a great deal of enjoyment.
Michael Jackson-its such a shame that in this case suffering and pain defeated enjoyment.
Here’s my breakdown of creative folks…
Creative people have a great deal of physical energy, but they’re also often quiet and at rest.
Beyonce-She sings, dances, acts, writes songs, designs clothes, promotes advertising for make-up, hair color, and etc…But you never hear about her personal and private affairs (hence relationship & marriage to Jay-Z). I guess if I were this busy I would need an altar-ego too!
Creative people tend to be smart and naïve at the same time.
My sister-she is genius when it comes to academics, but constantly our family is there to pick up the pieces when
“I didn’t think that would happen” or “OHHHHH!” “I don’t know.”
Creative people combine playfulness and discipline, or responsibility and irresponsibility.
Kanye West-He is a creative genius when it comes to music, but an irresponsible meltdown having mess when it comes to everything else.
Creative people alternate between imagination and fantasy, and a rooted sense of reality.
Michael Jackson-Need I say more?
Creative people tend to be both extroverted and introverted.
My aunt-the cook. She keeps a packed house with family and friends enjoying her creative cuisines, but just as much as she loves the company, she loves an empty house just the same.
Creative people are humble and proud at the same time.
Oprah Winfrey-She comes from very humble beginnings and has made it to the top, but never bragging and extravagant.
Creative people to an extent, escape rigid gender role stereotyping.
Laila Ali-She is strong, powerful, and athletic. A successful female boxer that can dance with the stars!
Creative people are both rebellious and conservative.
Rihana-When she first stepped on the music scene, the world was introduced to the conservative and cute Barbados girl. With her umbrella in tow in 2007 she became the good girl gone bad-really bad with Chris Brown.
Most creative people are very passionate about their work, yet they can be extremely objective about it as well.
My Cousin-She by far is one of the most talented hairstylist that I know. She transforms people with the work of her hands, but she is her worst critic.
Creative people’s openness and sensitivity often expose them to suffering and pain, yet also to a great deal of enjoyment.
Michael Jackson-its such a shame that in this case suffering and pain defeated enjoyment.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Barriers, blocks, and squelchers-Why we are not more creative
Merriam-Webster defines squelch as, "to fall or stamp on as to crush."
Are you a squelcher?
Read the following statements:
1. Are you kidding me?
2. Whatever I say goes.
3. Who's bright idea was that?
4. Not in this lifetime.
5. My way or the highway.
6. That wasn't a joke?
7. That's not in my job description.
8. They don't pay me enough!
9. They don't care anyway.
10. Too much paperwork.
11. Let's just agree to disagree.
12. The recession, its recession time, with the recession and all...
13. Really though?!
14. I'm tired of always being the one...
15. This time, you're on your own
Any sound familiar? If you have said (aloud or silently) one or more of the statements above... Then you are a squelcher!
My name in Andrea, and I am a squelcher. I don't squelch often, but when I do numbers 7 and 8 are my personal squelches of choice. My list is so... long because its easy to rememeber the negative things that others say. I wonder if I had to make a list of encouraging sayings, would it be as lengthy?
Are you a squelcher?
Read the following statements:
1. Are you kidding me?
2. Whatever I say goes.
3. Who's bright idea was that?
4. Not in this lifetime.
5. My way or the highway.
6. That wasn't a joke?
7. That's not in my job description.
8. They don't pay me enough!
9. They don't care anyway.
10. Too much paperwork.
11. Let's just agree to disagree.
12. The recession, its recession time, with the recession and all...
13. Really though?!
14. I'm tired of always being the one...
15. This time, you're on your own
Any sound familiar? If you have said (aloud or silently) one or more of the statements above... Then you are a squelcher!
My name in Andrea, and I am a squelcher. I don't squelch often, but when I do numbers 7 and 8 are my personal squelches of choice. My list is so... long because its easy to rememeber the negative things that others say. I wonder if I had to make a list of encouraging sayings, would it be as lengthy?
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