The last few warm days have given me hope that summer may one day return to Michigan. When that glorious day finally arrives (can you tell it’s been a LONG winter?), many homes will be filled with seemingly ever-hungry children wondering to eat next. This doesn’t necessarily sound like a creativity problem, but it can … Continue reading
Every once in a while I see a TV ad so creativity-focued I just can’t resist sharing. Not long ago I loved the General Electric ad on the care and feeding of an idea. Today, I loved Emily’s Oz. It would make a great lesson on perspective, visualization, or illustration. Watch and see. Yes, it’s … Continue reading
Ever dream of movie fame? As the screenwriter? Do you teach high school English or Media Studies? I have a book for you, with a title appropriate for our household of animals, “Save the Cat!” Writer Blake Snyder claims to have written “The Last Book on Screenwriting You’ll Ever Need,” despite the fact that he … Continue reading
It’s Earth Day—time to think about this beautiful planet on which we live. This morning I received an Earth Day message from our local Food Gatherers organization that made me think about creativity. Really. Let’s start with the idea that 30-40% of the food in our communities is not eaten. Food Gatherers, of course, was … Continue reading
It is the end of the semester, I’m buried in papers to read, and the Polar Vortex is bringing below-freezing temperatures back to Michigan. I definitely needed something to make me laugh. Then James Lane’s Unkind Ravens and Murderous Crows arrived in my mailbox, and the day was suddenly a little better. Yes, it’s attached … Continue reading
What do we do when we can see that the best schools and teachers don’t exist in the places children most need good schools and teachers? This is the question Sugata Mitra faced, and his answers have led to some of the most innovative education in the world. I first learned about his work in … Continue reading
One of the dangers and delights of the web is how one thing leads to another. Last post, as I was reviewing Mystery Skype resources to share with you, I ended up exploring other Skype lesson resources as well. There were so many, I decided we needed two more posts. Skype sponsors a Skype in … Continue reading
I love a good mystery. (OK, I love a good mystery without too much gore, and with all characters I’ve come to love still alive at the end.) Anyway. I also love the idea of Mystery Skype, both for what it is and what it could become. The basic premise of Mystery Skype is simple. … Continue reading
It’s time to eat broccoli! Or apples. Or pineapple. And you (and your students) can help make it happen. Recently, First Lady Michelle Obama celebrated the fifth anniversary of her “Let’s Move” campaign by announcing a full-fledged ad campaign designed to market (you guessed it) fruits and vegetables, newly branded as FNV. This is going … Continue reading
How do you choose a movie? My husband and I don’t see many movies, but when we do, we are often influenced by movie trailers–especially those shared by friends and family. So I was interested when a recent National Public Radio (NPR) broadcast featured Mike Woolen, who has created trailers for movies including Birdman, Boyhood, … Continue reading
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