I’ll admit that one of my guilty pleasures is watching TV food shows. At this time of year (between the mountain of papers to grade), it is fun to watch the holiday bakers creating all manner of tasty and beautiful creations. It is like a peek into the creative process behind the glossy cookbook photos … Continue reading
A few months ago the Internet was taken by storm by a video of a Scottish grandmother trying, without success, to maintain her composure while reading a story to her grandson, Craig Smith’s The Wonky Donkey. At the time I was anxious to read the book for myself, but apparently so were many other people. … Continue reading
Recently I spent some time with a friend who has 16-month old triplets. Like most 16-month olds, they are in perpetual motion—over, under, around, and occasionally through nearby adults, furniture, and toys. Watching the three of them explore the world is a perpetual motion delight. This week I watched one child play with a Fisher … Continue reading
My sister ate a carrot this week. That might not sound like much, but because her immune system has been compromised, fresh fruits and vegetables have been deemed too dangerous in recent days—until now. Family and friends celebrated by filling her Facebook spaces with pictures of salads, carrot-crunching rabbits, and cheers. Needless to say, she … Continue reading
When I think about creativity and problem solving, military service is not the first thing I envision. For many good reasons, following orders efficiently is an essential part of military training. And yet, there are also few places where good problem solving is more important. So today, as we think about veterans, I’m thinking about … Continue reading
My favorite conversation for helping students think about primary historical research begins with the question, “What did the pilgrims wear?” I’ve had the same conversation with students from second grade to graduate school and the initial responses are virtually identical, “Men wore tall black hats and shoes with buckles. Women wore long dresses, aprons, and … Continue reading
Sometimes things happen that are more important than any of our professional interests. Some of them happened this week. I wrote the following as a reflection to my Facebook friends, then decided I should post a slightly edited version here. It doesn’t particularly relate to creativity or teaching, but it does relate to life. Here’s … Continue reading
I love it when I hear stories of students whose creative contributions astound me and bring me hope. That’s how I felt when I read about the students in the Creative Musical Arts and Sciences program at Arcadia High School in Phoenix, AZ. These students, in high school, are earning music credits while essentially operating … 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
Halloween seems to get bigger every year. While I’m saddened to see the free-range trick-or-treating of my childhood wane, I still love the imagination with which so many young people (and their parents!) embrace the season. And, of course, in my household full of black cats, I need to put up a few appropriate decorations. … Continue reading
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