The U.S. Library of Congress is a treasure trove for teachers—so much so that it can become a bit overwhelming. So, for today, I’d like to share just one resource, Lyrical Legacy, a collection of 400 years of American song and poetry. Few things can give us insight into a place or period of history … Continue reading
I’m lucky enough to live within an easy drive of the Detroit Institute of Arts. When my husband and I have a (rare) free afternoon, we love to visit its galleries. Today we visited a one-piece exhibition called Balance of Power: Throne for an African Prince. The throne is a masterpiece in wood, carved around … Continue reading
Creativity and problem solving can be found in the most unexpected places. Have you ever looked at the nutrition labels on cereal or ketchup and thought about their design? I hadn’t, until I listed to an interview with Burkey Belser, the man who designed them. Because new nutrition labels are in the works, he is … Continue reading
Sometimes something comes across your desk and just makes your whole day. That happened to me this week when I first read about 4-year old “Mayhem,” who makes paper dresses with her mom. Fueled with paper, tape, and creativity, the duo makes dresses inspired by everything from runway favorites to a shark at the acquarium. … Continue reading
The Star Spangled Banner is 200 years old this year. Like many Americans, I suspect, I learned in school that it was written by Francis Scott Key after a battle in the War of 1812—possibly to the tune of an old drinking song. I assumed it became the national anthem soon after that. I was … Continue reading
I’ll admit it—I get a lot of ideas from Facebook. While there is much there I’d just as soon avoid, I love keeping in touch with far off friends, and I love seeing the examples of creativity I’d never find on my own. Today’s post started with a Facebook link to artist Chino Otsuka, who … Continue reading
At the moment, sun in Michigan is at a premium. We’ve spent too many days in the grip of the Polar Vortex and we’re all dreaming of palm-shaded beaches. Perhaps it is my dreams of sun and sand, but this week I’ve been thinking about shadows. I’ve written about shadow activities before, so for ideas … Continue reading
What kid doesn’t love things that go “splat?” There are lots of fine traditions that could be categorized as “splat art”—blowing paint through a straw, bouncing paint with a ball, stomping paint on paper, throwing paint from bushes or shooting it with squirt guns. Each of these has the potential to be wonderful messy creative … Continue reading
I just returned from the National Association for Gifted Children convention, a venue I haven’t visited in several years. I came home with questions (Like, how did my friends go from young bloods to senior scholars when time seems to have flown by?) but also with lots of new ideas and resources. For the next … Continue reading
There are few places so full of delights as a good bookstore. Recently, I had the chance to explore the newest of Ann Arbor’s bookstores, Literati, and I headed right to my favorite place—the children’s section. There were lots of treasures, but my favorite this week is Chip Kidd’s Go: A Kidd’s Guide to Graphic … Continue reading
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