The Importance of Creativity in Education

The #OklaEd chat topic for August 7 will be creativity, it’s importance to learning, how it relates to critical thinking, & how we can encourage creativity in the classrooms.  

Q1. What grade do you teach?

Do students come to  you prepared to think creatively?

Why do you think this is so? (8:05 PM)

Q2.How is student creativity

important to education? (8:12 PM)

Q3. Can creativity be learned/taught?

Explain. (8:18 PM)

Q4. How is creative thinking different

than critical thinking? (8:24 PM)

Q5. What role if any does creativity

play in critical thinking? (8:30 PM)

Q6. How can educators be intentional

about including creative thinking in the

classroom? (8:36 PM)

Q7. How can we implement Standards

with fidelity, while also encouraging creativity? (8:42 PM)

Q8. How can integrating different subjects

enhance the creative opportunities for students? (8:48 PM)

Q9. Are good grades enough, or will

our students need to be creative innovators

to be successful in the “real world”? (8:54 PM)

Food for thought....

Do Schools Kill Creativity (TED talk with Ken Robinson)

Creativity and Education

Creativity in Schools

Creativity in schools sounds good--so what's the hitch?

How does creative thought differ from critical thought?

(There are many great books, and articles on this topic.  If you have a favorite please share in the comments bellow!!)

The educators that I've met on Twitter are among the most innovative, and creative, educators that I've ever had the privilege of collaborating with and learning from. I can't wait to hear your thoughts and learn from you!!! #OklaEd

Reflective Teaching and a Growth Mindset

Reflective teaching is a process where teachers think over their teaching practices, analyzing how something was taught and how the practice might be improved or changed for better learning outcomes. (study.com)

A friend and teaching colleague recently shared a blog post entitled The Growth Mindset Initiative .  In her post she shares about her struggle to answer a Twitter Chat questions about growth mindset in the classroom. She knew she was doing great things in her class, but needed to make sense of where they fell in the scheme of creating a growth mindset. I enjoyed her article; her thoughts, examples, and plans for how she has and will create a growth mindset, but the thing that struck me the most was her honest reflection.

This idea of  honest reflection really got me thinking on how closely honest reflection and growth mindset are related. Most of us enjoy reflecting on our achievements and successes in the classroom  -- celebrating our accomplishments; but when it comes to reflecting on areas where we need to grow or admitting that our plans fell short, the task of reflection can be more difficult. True reflection is honest reflection, the kind of reflection that can makes us feel uncomfortable. When we're determined to grow we will face our fears head on and learn from past challenges. We welcome new and different ideas that cause us to reflect on our teaching and broaden our thoughts.  Honest reflection, the willingness to challenge ourselves and grow, are the very essence of a growth mindset.

As educators, it is important for us to be transparent in our reflection and growth.  When others see us openly sharing our journey, our questions, and our reflections, they themselves may be inspired to take the plunge into the "reflecting pool".  Great teachers, like my friend Amanda, are not only amazing teachers, but are an encouragement to other educators not only in word but in example.  Sometimes our greatest encouragement doesn't come from the person in the room who has all the answers, but from the person who is most willing to share his/her struggles and what they have learned from them. When we openly share, reflect, and grow we are creating a growth mindset among other educators....creating a safe place for educators to grow!! Why wouldn't we want for other educators what we so desperately desire for our students?

As a new school year approaches, I want to be open in my reflecting -- embracing challenges, and mistakes in the same way I encourage my students to do -- as steps in the process of learning!! Reflection and a growth mindset go hand in hand!!


For further reading:
What It Means To Be A Reflective Teacher

Finally Reflecting (Advocacy)

I'm sorry to say my blog is like a neglected journal.  I have good intention (I really do) but life gets busy and blogging gets pushed to the side. Summer has begun to settle, VBS, camp,4th of July  have passed...and I am anxious to reflect and record my thoughts on the 2015/16 school year.

The 2015/16 school year brought with it a new elementary school and new grade level.  I taught 3rd grade for 2 years at my previous school.  I loved the students and my coworkers, and was sad to leave;  however it was time for me to move on.  Not because I didn't love working with 3rd graders, but because I could no longer (in good conscience) subject young children to the pressures of standardized testing.  Don't get me wrong I have the highest respect for teachers in testing grades, but my last year in 3rd grade had been particularly difficult, and I had begun to doubt whether the methods in place were ethical.

My decision to change grade levels did not come without self doubt and guilt. I felt that my moving to another grade was in some ways the equivalent of abandoning the cause...so I made a vow to continue speaking out against a system that valued test scores over children, test prep over meaningful learning, and test takers over critical & creative thinkers.  I sent numerous emails, shared letters, and told my story.  I know my story alone will not make a difference, but when combined with the voices of other Oklahoma educators, parents, and citizens we can create change.

My heart has always been in the early grades, so I was beyond excited when I was given the privilege of teaching 1st grade! In the days approaching the new school year I began to understand that  my role as a first grade teacher would give me the opportunity to not only teach and facilitate learning for my first graders, but to show parents what active engaged learning looks like, help parents understand the importance of creativity, exploration, collaboration...all the important things that a test driven system pushes to the side.  As an education professional sometimes I take for granted that parents understand what an engaged classroom should like. Many parents think of school as quiet rows of children doing worksheets.  I wanted to open their eyes to something new.  I wanted parents to expect more from education so that they would recognize the need for advocacy in the future.

I've come away with a deeper understanding of my role as advocate...I don't have to teach 3rd grade to be an advocate speaking out against testing.  I have the unique opportunity to lay the foundation for what the learning process should look like and share that process with parents.   I have the opportunity to discuss 3rd grade testing and it's implications with parents before it's too late for them to prepare, I have the opportunity to encourage parents to be their child's advocate!

Wolf...A Lesson Plan

Mrs. Waters has challenged #Oklaed to share a favorite lesson plan!  Here goes...

These are activities from one of  my favorite 3rd grade units (but I plan to modify for 1st grade)...I know it was supposed to be a lesson plan...but my early-childhood brain thinks in thematic chunks!!  I don't always use all of the activities I'm sharing (and there are others I use but didn't include), it really depends on the amount of time I have, and sometimes activities are stretched out over multiple days.  I incorporated some of the activities into centers/learning stations. (I didn't include vocabulary, spelling...)

Wolf (story is a trade book but can also be found in Treasures third grade reading book)

ELA

*Story Elements: Genre, Setting, Character, Problem and Solution

*Compare and Contrast (fiction v nonfiction wolf / comparing storybook wolves)

*Continued writing practice, complete sentences, paragraph form and organization
*The science portion of this unit is a great opportunity to talk about using resource materials

Whole Group:

Read story 

Discuss and identify:
(make an anchor chart with this info (I'm cheap I use butcher paper for anchor charts), students can also make mini version in journal.  We do this with each story so this doesn't take too much time.  The focus for today's independent work will be character, so we will spend additional time talking about descriptive words.)

Genre 

Setting

Character
Activity:

Create an illustration of Wolf...Write descriptive words (of his character) around him.
(Students will use this same process to describe a character from independent reading/library book, and other assigned reading.) 

Whole Group:
(Practice finding problem and solution)

Read aloud The 3 Little Pigs
identify problem and solution (create anchor chart/giant fold-able)
(I sometimes have students create a mini chart in journal...helps them stay focused.)

Reading Practice:

Independent and Buddy Reading of Wolf (looking for problem and solution)

Small Group/Partner Activity:
Discuss the problem and steps taken to solve the problem in Wolf with your partner.
(It is important to walk the room and be available finding problem and solution can be a challenge..let students know you are an available resource.)
Come together as a large group and share ideas (take notes on board for students reference).
Independent Work:
Create a fold-able sharing the problem, steps taken, and solution .

Whole Group:

Alternate Versions of "The Three Little Pigs"...
(When I need multiple copies of books I borrow from other teachers or get them on iBooks)

The True Story of The Three Little Pigs

The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig
The Three Ninja Pigs

Small Group:

Allow students to reread these stories in small groups

And share ideas to compare and contrast (take notes in journal)
Activity:

Create a compare and contrast fold-able or Venn diagram (My students got confused by the diagram so I switched to a fold-able...just paper folded into thirds)

Science

*Study of wolves, research and gathering information

Whole Group:

Introduce "real" wolves using YouTube video (In The Valley of The Wolves)
(The above link is just an example.  I couldn't find my usual link. We don't watch entire video...I usually find a 3-5  minute clip and use it.  Sometimes clips come from various videos)

Start an example of a Venn Diagram comparing and contrasting real and storybook wolves on the board or make an anchor chart...you can add to this throughout the week. (Be prepared...if you're like me...if it can go wrong it will go wrong with video! Have a book ready for back up!!)

Small Groups:

Provide students with books about wolves and teacher created search engine. Research types of wolves, habitats, characteristics, life in the pack...

Organize information (at least 5 facts) and share with large group
(This activity can be spread over several days by assigning specific topics for research each day...habitat, types of wolves, the language of wolves/communication...)
(I sometimes have problems with students not really reading the material just writing down random facts, but students know I will ask them questions about the facts they have written.  This helps to make sure students are actually paying attention to what they are writing.)

Activity: 

1. create a Venn Diagram (or fold-able if students aren't ready for diagram) comparing and contrasting real and storybook wolves (or 2 different types of wolves)
2. Use research for informative paragraph or mini report.

Social Studies
(These are just resources I use not actual lesson plans)
The Legend of 2 Wolves Video
(there are other videos with more animation,but I love the naration in this one!)
The Legend of 2 Wolves written form

Questions for discussion and daily journal:
Wolf

Identify other main characters in the story.

What are they like?

Why don't they want to be friends with wolf?

Have you ever been in a situation where others didn't want to be your friend? Explain.

(The following activity was added 7/31/2016)
STEAM things up with this Wolf Setting/Habitat activity  This project will require students to collaborate, problem solve, use math skills (measurement...), physics, art...
Reporting: Students will work with their group to decide what to report on; Wolf story book setting, or the habitat of real wolves.  Information can be recorded in a variety of ways, graphic organizer, essay style, students made video..you get the idea.
Model of Setting or Habitat: 
Students will work in groups to create either the storybook setting or real life habitat for a wolf. Students will be provide with boxes, paper, cardboard, paints... They will work together to plan how the setting should be built, problem solving, and collaborating to achieve the finished product.
Presentation:  Students will choose one or more of the following methods of presentation: give an oral presentation to the class, set up as a visual presentation, or prepare a video.

Other wolf stories:

Beware of Storybook Wolves

Little Red Riding Hood (various versions
          Little Red Riding Hood a Prairie Tale
          Ninja Red Riding Hood...
       
Other Activities
1. Write an original story starring a wolf.
2. Write a continuation of one of the storybooks shared in this unit.
(Writing assignments can be a challenge...I break it into steps and sometime strech the assignment over more than one day)
3. Build a better house for the Little Pigs (can incorporate math and science).
4. What's in Little Red's basket..story problems (math problems can be students created or teacher created).  I have students write the problem and use construction paper & creativity to model the math problem. (This is one of my favorite activities but can be challenging.  Our literacy coach happened to stop by when we were working on this and stayed to help...the additional help was great!)

Sometimes you have to make exceptions:
Most of my students enjoy thematic units and working in groups; however there is always a student or two who prefers to work alone.  I try to accommodate their desire to work alone, but encourage them to do at least some group work (social skills are important too).  There are students who are hesitant to take part in oral participation as well.  I make accommodations based on that students needs..sometime amount to be presented in modified, sometimes they are given an alternate way to share.

Can't wait to see what the rest of #oklaed is sharing!!

         

Why I Teach (Part 2)

Earlier this week I wrote part one of "Why I Teach"...part one is the beginning of my journey...but as with all good journeys...it doesn't stop there.

Soon after graduation I took my first job teaching kindergarten...for 2 year I loved on and taught those kindergarten babies with all I had. I laughed and celebrated with my students and their families, but I also cried and mourned with a family in the loss of their precious little boy. I learned very quickly that yes, education is what takes place in the classroom, but it is strengthened by the relationships you build outside.  Families are more supportive, and students are more excited when they see that you are invested in them.

Upon the birth of my first child I took time away from teaching...but not time away from public schools and education.  I believe in and always have believed in public schools and TEACHERS!!  I served on public school committees and was involved with various activities supporting teachers.  Once my oldest started school I became involved in PTA...because education is about more than what happens in the classroom it is about the relationships we build.  I am so blessed to have had these opportunities to be involved in education and support educators.  In these activities I observed success as teachers were invested in students and families...and as parents became invested in the educational process.

During this time I also had the great privilege of being a Girl Scout leader to an amazing group of girls.  Yet another opportunity to build community and relationships...the opportunity to watch as these young girls grew into young women.  One of my most treasured memories was when one of their teachers spoke of our girls commitment to one-another.  Our girls were a very diverse group we had the athletes, the academically gifted, the artistic...but somehow they learned to celebrated those differences...and stood up for each other.  What a blessing to teach and lead these girls...but most of all to learn about commitment and relationships from them.

Two years ago I went back to classroom teaching with the knowledge and deep belief that education is about more that what happens in a classroom...education at it's best is built on relationships and community. I continue to celebrate with parents and students...and sometimes even cry.  Many of my 3rd graders came from broken homes, or have one or more parents in jail...for these students (really all students) education can not take place unless they feel a sense of community and positive relationship. 

This summer a group of teachers from my school visited the park in the apartment complex where many of our students live...we told stories, made crafts, ate hot dogs.  We met out kiddos in their community...in the summer...when we didn't have to...and they were so excited...so happy! I had the opportunity to meat parents that I had never met before, because some of these parents don't come to the school.   Me...I was blessed beyond measure to be with my students in their own environment to watch them, to play with them...to build community and relationship.

I teach because I believe in children and families.  I believe that community and relationships can have a positive effect on education and vice versa.  I will continue to be involved not only in the classroom, but in PTA and other community organizations...because to more effectively reach students...I must reach their families...we must be invested in one another...I guess that is the very definition of community!

Why I Teach (Part 1)

Let's start at the beginning...

When I started kindergarten I was an artist, an explorer, an actress, a singer, a creator...but by 2 grade I learned that those things didn't make me "smart".  I was never the first one to finish a timed test or in the top reading group, eventually I just stopped trying on those pesky timed tests, it was better not to try than to be one of the last ones finished.

In third grade the "smart" kids got to go to the "Gifted and Talented" program.  I remember thinking "What? I'm gifted and very talented...there must have been some mistake"...lol...I didn't know then (and I'm not sure I know now) that talent and giftedness were measured by a test.  I was the daydreamer, the always drawing on the back of my paper, and doodling girl.  I was the kid waiting for that rare occasion when we would have a creative writing assignment...because those were the days I could shine!

Don't get me wrong I enjoyed elementary school.  I was in honor choir, had best friends, talked a little too much...and was even sent to the principal office once. I learned many things, I learned that I loved music, art, creative writing, social studies projects and science experiments (when we got to do them). I learned that worksheets were boring, and in my stubbornness I learned how to get away without doing them...I learned to just get by. I also learned that I was terrible at Math..I learned that I would never understand it...NEVER!

Those first years in elementary school set the stage for Jr High...where I discovered band, choir, and drama! Oh the joy!  Finally things I was good at!! I also came to Jr high with the knowledge that I was no good at math.  I had an amazing 7th grade teacher who tried to convince me otherwise, but I had already made up my mind. I wish I had listened to him...he was the last Math teacher who would try to convince me that I could do it.  I got by in my other classes, never trying too hard, because in my Jr high mind trying and failing would be the worst.

I was among the Drama and Choir elite in High School...scoring leads in musicals holding office in Drama Club. I knew what I was good at and worked to be the best! I liked my English classes...reading books, writing reports...these were things I could do. Math...No...Not good...Why Try!

During my Jr High and High School years I also spent a lot of time working with kids at church and day care jobs.  I loved kids, and I was good with them.  I was always the one who could come up with fun ways to keeps the kids busy and having fun.  I  knew I wanted to be a teacher so I started college as a music major.  In my first education class, we talked about why we wanted to be teachers, what teaching meant, how to make it meaningful, how to reach the unreachable kids, how to make all students feel like they were learners.  This professor was talking about students like me.  In that class I realized that I wasn't dumb, I wasn't stupid...I really was "gifted and talented" (all kids are).  I could have and should have learned and accomplished more.  

After taking that class I changed my major to "Early Childhood Education", because I knew that I could make a difference for students like myself.  Later I had a professor who said "most teachers become teachers because they love kids, and they loved school". I became a teacher because I love kids and because I didn't love the learning part of school...in fact I hated work sheets and answering questions at the end of the capters.  I became a teacher because I wanted to be a different kind of teacher!

There have been times when I've told my story to people and they've said "I'm sorry you had that experience"...but I'm not sorry...I'm happy!! If I hadn't had those experiences I wouldn't be as sensitive as I am to my students, and  I wouldn't truly understand their frustrations.  I still remember hating when the teacher called me to the board to do a math problem, I still remember filling random numbers in on my timed tests, I still remember wishing for a writing assignment... 

I became a teacher so that I could teach all learners, and help them to realize the amazing potential within!!

(P.S.  I don't have a problem with gifted programs.  My own children have been in them...I know that they have a place in our schools...but I want all children to know that they are gifted...we're all gifted in different ways. Gifted programs tend to be more project based and engaging...I want to bring that to my own classroom!!)

A Letter To My Community

To whom is may concern (& it concerns all of us),
   These are just a few of the things I would like you to understand about what current legislation is doing to public education.  First of all I want to be clear, I’m not posting about education because I want to make more money, I’m not posting about education because I don’t want to be accountable for what I teach, I’m posting about education because I care about kids and their education and well being. If you don’t have children or your students attend private school, charter schools, are homeschooled, or are all grown up…this is important for all of us. The quality of public education impacts us all as a community and society.
   I was like most of you, I realized there were problems in education and maybe there was a little too much testing…”but expecting a 3rd grader to read isn’t that big of a deal is it?”…and then 2 years ago I went back to teaching. I took a job teaching 3rd grade at Sky Ranch a wonderful school in Moore. My school is a title 1 school (many of our students come from families with a low income). I’m thankful that God placed me at Sky Ranch and in 3rd grade because I’ve learned a lot about what is wrong with testing and have made it a point to learn more about educational policies.
   For those of you that may not know, 3rd graders who do not pass the state test repeat 3rd grade unless they meet one of the “good cause exemptions”. My son Luke took the 3rd grade test this year and I assured him he would pass. I talked with him at length (while he rolled his eye) about the fact that he is more than one test score and I’m proud of everything he has accomplished so far…I love him no matter what! Luke is like most of your kids he comes from a family where we read, go to the zoo, or museums…and he’s fortunate to not have a learning disability. While I don’t think testing is the best thing for him and others like him…I handle it…but he’s not every kid. I had students in my class write letters to me telling how they felt about taking the test…some of those letters broke my heart. I had students cry while taking the test because they knew they wouldn’t be able to pass it. One student who was retained last year because of failing the test, took it again this year and failed again…just what everyone needs to boost their self-esteem…you weren’t unsatisfactory once but twice. Uuuug!! I could say more about this aspect of testing, but I’m going to stop myself. (Don’t get me wrong I believe students should learn to read, and sometimes retention is needed…but there are better ways to handle these situations)
   Teachers spend a lot of time preparing students for the test. Yes the state test is aligned with our state standards and it is important for all teachers to teach the state standards; however preparing for a test and teaching a rich curriculum that includes the state standards is not the same. Many of our students start Kindergarten behind and do not have the advantage of parents who are actively involved and invested in their education. It is the job of K-3 teachers to close the educational gap so that these kiddos can be successful on the 3rd grade test…this doesn’t allow much wiggle room for engaging projects, science experiments…activities that encourage higher level thinking skills and creative problem solving. The testing problem doesn’t stop in third grade; it’s a continual battle to prepare these kids.
   Not only do we spend hours preparing for the test we spend hours giving it, 2nd grade on up take some sort of test, but 3rd grade just happens to be the year that can have the most detrimental effect on students. When the test is given the entire school goes on lock down, all grade levels must stay quiet in their classrooms, halls are closed off, schedules are changed, the cafeteria must remain silent, in some schools students are not allowed to leave their classroom for lunch they just have a sack lunch in their classrooms. Maybe you’re thinking so what; it’s just a couple of days. That’s where you would be wrong…this process can take more than 3 weeks, by the time all grades are tested, students who require special testing environments are tested, and make up tests are given. That’s valuable teaching time! To make matters worse once testing is over students feel like school is over…why should they have to learn anything else they took the test? 
   Moore has always been committed to high standards in education and was one of the last districts to remove the class size cap. Gone are the days of 20-22 kids per class, funds are just not available to the smaller class size. My class hovered between 24 and 25 students (that’s a lot of third graders), lower grade teachers had similar numbers, and upper grades had even more. I cannot give the same individualize attention to 25 students as I can to 20, and the more students you add to a classroom the more discipline problems you encounter. If education is actually a priority we need to fund it adequately.
   I could go on about all of this, but I won’t. I encourage you to read articles (Oklahome Education Watch is a good place to start), I encourage you to find out what’s going on in education…and if there are issues that don’t set well with you please contact your state house and senate reps. 
(P.S. The third grade reading test isn’t actually a reading test. Yes, reading is part of the test but we also cover things like Dictionary, Encyclopedia, Almanac, and Atlas skills. When’s the last time you used one of those?)

(This letter was previously posted on my Facebook page.  We have to share our stories...without them we will not see change!)