It is summer, apparently with a vengeance. Here in Michigan, we are in the midst of a week of humidity, storms, and flooded highways, while my brother in usually-balmy Oregon has temperatures over 100 degrees. He took this photo of one of his local squirrels flattening himself against the cool pavement, after having a drink … Continue reading
We have a squirrel-proof bird feeder in our yard. We’ve had it for years and it really is quite effective at keeping squirrels out of the bird seed. The seed is protected by a weighted bar. A bird can sit on the bar and eat happily, but if a heavier animal tries to do the … Continue reading
If I were to stop 50 random people on the street and ask each one to name a creative person, I suspect very few of them would name teachers. When we think of creativity, many of us think first of artists or musicians, then perhaps great scientists or inventors, but creative teachers don’t often enter … Continue reading
In recent weeks, social media has exploded with a debate about schools reopening. And—like pretty much everything else related to schools—everyone seems to have an opinion, regardless of whether they’ve been near a public school in recent years. Can you tell I’m frustrated? I think I’ve read one too many posts suggesting teachers need to … 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
This is a time of reflection in the United States—at least I hope it is. Sometimes it feels as if the universe is trying to catch our attention. First, a pandemic upended our daily routines. Then, in my home state, a flood destroyed homes and livelihoods in central Michigan. Now, technology is bringing many of … Continue reading
I thought I was finished with blogging. Creativiteach had a good run–seven years at the point I paused—and as I looked toward phased retirement, it seemed a good time to wind things down. Last spring, I thought I’d take the summer off—then summer turned to fall and here I am, a year later, finding … 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
A few years ago, the blog world seemed entranced by a 1995 article by Westby and Dawson* suggesting that teachers “don’t like” creative students. To me, such claims seemed wildly overstated based on data from 13 elementary school teachers, particularly because the descriptors for creative children were more negative in tone than those deemed “less … Continue reading
Fall is a wonderful time in a university town. Students return, with all their hustle and bustle and enthusiasm. For those of us who teach, there is the task of getting courses ready, but also the promise that this year we’ll teach just a bit better than last—at this point, all things are possible. One … Continue reading
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