In my last post, I began thinking about The Henry Ford’s Modeli for innovation, and particularly its Habits of an Innovator, as they express social and emotional characteristics associated with innovation. Thinking about the first one, “Be Empathetic” was straightforward and I could easily envision how it could be be taught and supported in schools. … Continue reading
What a time we are living through. All around me, educators are wrapping up a crazy online school year mid-pandemic, with still very little knowledge of what is coming in the fall. And across the world, there is increasing awareness of long-term inequalities that gives rise to frustration, anger and calls for new ways of … Continue reading
What makes science, science? In Carl Sagan’s essay, “Wonder and Skepticism,” he presented the core of science as two seemingly opposing points of view. On one hand, science requires openness and curiosity about the world. But openness to see is not enough. Science also requires that we examine our observations with care and caution—in Sagan’s … Continue reading
When I was a teen, my uncle Jack Moran wrote a song called “Skip a Rope.” It was recorded by Henson Cargill and was nominated by the Country Music Association for Song of the Year. I was very proud, not because I was a country music fan (I definitely wasn’t), but because Uncle Jack had … Continue reading
I still chuckle at the memory of a mother of teens who said in only-partly joking despair, “I taught my kids to be independent, and now they ARE!” But she was onto something. It is easy to stereotype teenager years. Many of us have vivid memories the angst-filled days and peer drama that can be … Continue reading
Would you like to use more creativity in your classroom? Could you use a little inspiration? How about some short videos for professional development? The American Psychological Association (APA) may have just what you’re looking for. You might start with the Psychology Learning Curve article on “Creative Teaching and Teaching Creativity: How to Foster Creativity … Continue reading
What makes a safe space feel safe? What could you do to make your students feel safer to be creative? The question of how safe spaces become safe is one asked by an international team of researchers* who wanted to know how relationships in a work environment might influence employees’ creativity. If a supervisor listened … Continue reading
I did a lot of traveling this summer, some for work, some for play. More than once I experienced things that nearly took my breath away—a gothic cathedral, the pounding of the ocean, a visit to one of the driest deserts on earth. Each one made me feel part of something bigger; they inspired awe. … Continue reading
Recently I had a lovely lunch with a relative who shall remain nameless (but he knows who he is!). We talked about many things, including the stunning wildlife photography he has been doing since his retirement. He is becoming particularly adept at photographing birds in flight, with amazing images ranging from dueling goldfinches to bald … Continue reading
As the educational pendulum has swung back and forth, we occasionally hear calls for “back to the basics.” Usually this has translated into pages of math computation, grammar drills, and history as a series of battles and dates. As schools around me gear up for the upcoming school year, it made me think about the … Continue reading
