Set Your Intentions #9

When a flower does not bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower.    -Alexander Den Heijer

Creativity is a Habit-Forming Autonomous Verb

I think that the mind in its purest functioning pursuit is creative. This is something we all possess and have free access to, but is not always encouraged and held up to the light.  Hard to believe, but true.

This slide created by Bill Ferriter gets to the very heart of it:

Why is it, do you think, that creativity is related to as a bad habit?  Is it due to not providing enough time to allow it to breathe and find its rhythm?  Is it the by-the-book curriculum? Is it the structure of a school day? Is it the people within the school?  Justin Tarte tweeted, We want students to be autonomous learners who are taking control of their learning. To me, this is most apt to happen when students have ample opportunity for exploration and ownership of creating.  This takes a substantial amount of time and time seems to be a commodity that is being whittled away. Still, in some places there are educators who are devoted to making it come to life and I'd like to hear from them.  Please share with all of us your role in how it is being cultivated.

Krissy Venosdale wrote this about how, at times, our good intentions are less then mindful in the way we relate to students:

You need to read this. I said to. Do this first. Follow this pattern. This is the way to do it. Here is the right way. Sit still. Complete the front side. Number your paper. Do as I say. Raise your hand before speaking. Put your name at the top. I give this a 95%. Follow the classroom rules. Be engaged. Keep your eyes on your page. Choose A, B, or C. I talk, you learn. You’re following my lesson plan. My classroom.

Little words. Tiny phrases. Together? They create fences that keep our kids in one safe spot where learning and exploring become all about what we say to do. Fences that keep kids from learning. (Here is her entire post, Learning Because The Gates Are Wide Open).

Krissy puts forth a timely example of how we can be a wet blanket to creativity and autonomous learning. What are your daily practices that do not fence in students?  Let us call it Free Range Learning. Again, I'd be grateful to hear from you.

Milton Glaser says this about his creative philosophy:

There's no such thing as a creative type.  As if creative people can just show up and make stuff.  As if it were just that easy. I think people need to be reminded that creativity is a verb, a very time consuming verb. It's about taking an idea in your head, and transforming that idea into something real. And that's going to be a long and difficult process. If you're doing it right, it's going to feel like work.

Consider a time when you had a moment from which sprang a perfect idea-- an a-ha moment. It came seemingly and suddenly out of nowhere. An epiphany. Chances are, you were probably taking a nap, driving your car, waiting at the airport, or in the shower. Some place like that. Milton Glaser had one such moment in a taxi and this is what he sketched on an envelope. That sketch led to this iconic design. Those magical moments of insight only take place after lots of tireless effort and concerted thought.  It just does not happen in a single moment.  Persistence and perseverance always precede it. 

To me, his philosophy speaks to the path along which
one journeys and not the end product itself.  In school, how can we set the stage for students so these bursts of insight can happen organically? How can we shift the perception so that creativity is viewed as an admirable, expected habit?  Please comment.  I'd like to hear from you.

Make Your Day

Watch this short film, Caine's Arcade.  It will make your day. 

Creativity. (check) Imagination. (check) Passion. (check) Engaging. (check) Charming. (check)

The story of Caine and his arcade has spread like wild fire.  If you have yet to watch this, please do.  It is something to behold. 

To me, Caine is the epitome of the saying, "Do what you like, like what you do."

Enjoy.  I am off to buy a Fun Pass.

Get Your Collaboreyes On!

This is simple.  This is brilliant.  I love this. 

Check out  Collaboreyes.

Collaboreyes is a global project to help students see the world through new lenses.

Just have/help the student(s) take a photo of self at their favorite place, write about it, and post it to the Collaboreyes site.  Nothing to it. (Of course, get your Collaboreyes Lenses first). 

So far, students from China, Oregon, Illinois, and California are a few who have participated in this global project. 

Do this with your son, daughter, grandchild, student, or anyone.  Get your Collaboreyes on and just do it. 

I'm Here

What?  What!  Peter H. Reynolds has a new book.  And I did not know about it.  How did I miss that?

Time was, I'd be all giddy over a new song by a favorite musical artist.  Now I become gleeful over KidLit books.

Without knowing anything about it, I must have this book.  This author/illustrator is an inspiration to me.

And do not forget to celebrate International Dot Day on September 15.  Here is an old post with activities to do with The Dot (also by Peter Reynolds).  Celebrate with your family, your class, or the entire school.  Make your mark!

And while you are here-- take a peek over to the left at my Books to Inspire link.  Click on Ish.  Yes, another Peter Reynolds book.  It is a keeper-ish!

Do you have a favorite author/illustrator?  One who inspires you to be a better YOU.  Please share. 

A Wish Worth Sharing

I cannot think of a better way to begin the school year than by sharing this story with you-- A Wish For You.  What a wonderful way to celebrate the start of a new school year.  It really is full of inspiration.  In fact, it is so contagious I bet you'll want to create your own story right-away.  It was created by Lyn Hilt. (Her blog is worth checking out).


This creation came from Storybird and it is my first encounter with the site.  It is nifty, don't you think?  I have hopes to use Storybird with my students in small group counseling.  I figure I will create stories and the group members will co-create their own as well.   I will be sure to share them.  You do the same, too.  Happy Storybirding!

Make Your Mark

One of my all time favorite books is The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds. I use this story for fifth grade classroom guidance lessons (though it may be used for any age). In this book, we meet a girl named Vashti who has convinced herself she can't draw. Her teacher dares her to make a mark. Vashti makes one little dot on her paper… which turns out to be the beginning of her creative journey. This wonderfully illustrated book encourages us to be brave about expressing ourselves.  It gently reminds us to start small and explore the idea.  It is also a tribute to teachers who know how to use 'out of the box’ approaches, the art of humor, and who have the vision to see the possibilities in every student.  I encourage you to read this book to see for yourself what happens to Vashti in the end.  Click this for some wonderful activites to supplement the book.  After you read this story, come back and let me know how you enjoyed it.  Maybe you could tell us about your own creative journey, too!

On Creativity

This next bundle of books in my Books to Inspire link are all about CREATIVITY. 

My KidLit choice is Ish by Peter Reynolds.  In the story, a vase of flowers is not 'perfectly' drawn, so an older sibling belittles the drawing.  The picture is discarded, a crumpled ball on the floor.  Later, we discover his younger sister cherishes the drawing and expresses to her crestfallen brother that it looks vase-ish.  And thus goes the story of Ish.  You need to read this book because it is a seed-planter.  You'll find yourself watering the creative efforts of others, being a spark of support, and offering the gentle nudge of encouragement.


The professional selection is Creativity:  Flow and the Psychology of Discovery and Invention by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi.  For me, this is the quintessential book on the Creative Process.  The author's list of people interviewed in this book is impressive:  scientist Jonas Salk, author Madeleine L'Engle, mathematician Margaret Butler, physicist Freeman Dyson, and many more.   All these people altered their Domain/Field.  In some cases, they even created a whole new one.  This book makes me want to be an even better counselor.  Maybe it will do the same for you.


My personal pick is Soon I Will Be Invincible by Austin Grossman.  Simply put, it is a fun book. Mr. Grossman certainly has no problems tapping his creative reservoir. 

Have you read any books with a creative bent?  If so, I'd like to hear from you.