Strategies to Foster Creativity in School

Here is another article about the difficulty of encouraging creativity in school.  However, this article unlike the other, presents 5 strategies that you can use to  encourage divergent, generative thinking.  Each strategy is explained in detail...

1. Reversing the Question/Answer Paradigm
2. Let the Music Play
3. Inquiry-based Feedback
4. Encourage Play & Manage Failure
5. Using Art Strategies

What activities have you used to inspire out-ot-the-box thinking in your classes?

Fuel Creativity in the Classroom with Divergent Thinking.  Stacy Goodman's Blog. 3.18.14. Edutopia
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/fueling-creativity-through-divergent-thinking-classroom-stacey-goodman

Is Creativity Impossible in School?

We all know that creativity can lead to innovation and that we as teachers should encourage original, novel thinking in school.  However, the very nature of our schools' bureaucratic structure and its insistence on order, discipline, and obedience limits creativity. In some cases creativity in children can be considered pathological behavior as opposed to the compliant traits of being reliable, sincere, and tolerant.  Yet in spite of all the constraints, teachers can learn to recognize and respect the child who can't conform to the school environment.  Many creative children pursue their interests outside of school.  This article explains the difficulty of the school environment for creative children.

Can Any School Foster Pure Creativity? Cevin Soling. 3.18.14. Mind/Shift
http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2014/03/can-creativity-truly-be-fostered-in-classrooms-of-today/
 

Vocabulary Teaching for ELLs

Learn when and how to teach different levels of vocabulary to ELLs in light of Common Core.   Using the principal of universal design teachers can address different kinds of learners in their classrooms. 
You might want to check co-author, Daniel Jhin Yoo's web-based Goalbook, (embedded link) an online resource helping educators design differentiated instruction for special populations, including ELLs.  [There are different levels of subscriber rates.]

The opportunity is now for English language learners.  Daniel Jhin Yoo and Chelsea Miller. 2.19.14. SmartBlog on Education
http://smartblogs.com/education/2014/02/19/the-opportunity-is-now-for-english-language-learners/

Breaking News!! Free ACT Partnership Coming

Granted, the new SAT college exam is not coming until 2016 but there is wonderful news coming.  A new partnership with the College Board and the Khan Academy will privide free test preparation materials starting in 2015.  Afterwards some income-eligible studentsw will receive fee waivers to apply to four colleges for free.
The SAT itself is changing:  three sections - evidence-based reading and writing, math - and an optional essay each redesigned to prevent the students just filling in a bubble sheet.  Read this article and comment on what you think of the new changes in the SAT test.  The chance for a free test prep, to me is amazing and will level the playing field for different economic groups.

Major changes coming to 2016 SAT test: Here's what, how and why. Jamie Gumbrecht. 3.6.14. CNN
http://edition.cnn.com/2014/03/05/living/sat-test-changes-schools/

Fundamental Best Practices - ELL Students

If you haven't already had an English Language Learner in your class, you certainly will soon.  The number of ELLs in schools is rapidly increasing across the county.  A few of our particpating schools in Title-IA have a large population of ELLs.  This article discusses the basic best practices in teaching ELL students.  As Learning Exchange discovered when we wrote and tested lesson templates, these practices are also excellent for all your other students.
Read and share a strategy that you'd like to offer to your colleagues.

Reach ELLs:  Nine Best Practices That Really Work.  Beth Morrow. 3.7.14. ASCD IN SERVICE
http://inservice.ascd.org/education-resources/reach-ell-learners-nine-best-practices-that-really-work/

Financial Literacy - The Occasional Math Topic

We hear a lot about the importance of financial literacy, but is the topic part of the average high school curriculum?  The answer is sometimes, somewhere but is not consistent in schools, districts and states.   The importance of financial literacy is critical because as students graduate from high school, they are stepping into adult roles with adult responsibilities.  Those going to college are finding financial aid a daunting responsibility.  The value in this article are the embedded links to help teachers and students.  I liked the smartphone app which I feel would appeal to students.

3 Ways to Engage High Schoolers in Personal Finance. Alexandra Pannoni. 3.3.14.  U.S, News and World Report.
http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/high-school-notes/2014/03/03/3-ways-to-engage-high-schoolers-in-personal-finance

Teaching Math the Holistic Way

Luba Vangelova, a pioneering math educator and curriculum designer,  promotes a new way to teach math that would alarm many teachers because they are totally unused to "natural math." However, Vangelova has many advocators who agree with her and also want to revolutionize the way math is taught.  Read this article and see what you think.  Have you tried some of these ideas yourself as we switich our focus to Common Core principles?  Please comment below.



5-Year Olds Can Learn Calculus.  Luba Vangelova. 3.3.14. The Atlantic
http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2014/03/5-year-olds-can-learn-calculus/284124/