Ever wish for a personal assistant who could instantly answer your questions about just about anything? Enter Wolfram Alpha. Wolfram Alpha is a computational knowledge engine that uses a vast storehouse of expert knowledge to answer queries in a wide range of disciplines. What’s a computational knowledge engine? Here’s Wolfram’s explanation. You can get a … Continue reading
Happy New Year! The holidays are over and we’re all moving back into our work routines—and in Michigan, to our midwinter world of ice and snow. After our mild fall, we are back into the deep freeze and dark days—just the time when we need some creativity to raise our spirits. At this time of … Continue reading
In just a few days, it will be Christmas. I’m still grading papers, I haven’t baked my usual cookies, and my house doesn’t remotely resemble anything on Pinterest. And yet it doesn’t matter. Really. It doesn’t. For me, this is at heart a sacred season, shared across the global Christian community. As long as I … Continue reading
A while ago I shared one of my favorite books for supporting students in risk taking, Beautiful Oops. While the book focuses on the beauty that can follow artistic “oops” experiences, it also can spur discussions of successes that can follow all manner of not-so-successful efforts. Now, the publishers of Beautiful Oops are sponsoring a … Continue reading
If I want fireworks in my brain, I’d better get back to practicing. That’s the message of a TedEd video by Anita Collins and Sharon Colman Graham, recently featured on National Public Radio. Take a look. I’ve said repeatedly that creativity ≠ the arts, because too many people assume that if they can’t draw realistically … Continue reading
What do you do on Thanksgiving after the pies are eaten and the dishes done? If you are surrounded by adventurous children and have a new (free) app to explore, you make movies! Lego Movie Maker isn’t really a new app, but it was new to me, as was my small collection of tiny LEGO … Continue reading
For me, one of the silly joys of the Christmas season is finding a new version of Clement Moore’s A Visit From St. Nicholas—or, to be more accurate, one of the many parodies of the famous poem. And now I get to share my joys, and some pre-holiday lesson options, with you. Last year I … Continue reading
Sometimes, my friends, I just need a break. A few years ago, this was the result, and I decided it was time to stop a moment and share. My papers on on the computer rather than file folders, but the sentiment is the same. Sorry about the weird line spacing. I can’t seem to fix … Continue reading
“Eat your vegetables!’ ‘Drink your milk!” “Don’t jump on the bed!” “But why?” David Wisniewskil had the answers and in The Secret Knowledge of Grown-Ups, he let us in on the secrets. This imaginative gem reminds us why his 2002 death was such a loss—and how he can continue to inspire. The book spoofs all … Continue reading
At a recent conference, I had the wonderful opportunity to hear Newbery Award-winning author Laura Amy Schlitz talk about her writing. She is a story-teller at heart, so just listening to her was a delight, but my favorite moment came during her account of how she came to write Good Masters, Sweet Ladies, the book … Continue reading
creativiteach 