Take a moment to watch this amazing teacher, man, human being.
Imagination and Creativity in Education
“Teaching’s primary purpose should be to ensure that every student graduates ready to tinker, create, and take initiative.”
- What if quizzes measured kid’s ability to question, not answer?
- What if a math class’s textbook was replaced with open-ended, thought-provoking opportunities to question the world around us?
- What if -within a teaching day- teachers were able to strike a balance between art and science; considering the art as the relationship the teacher built with the kids, and the science as the assessment that generated real evidence of student growth?
- What if teachers tracked narratives of a student’s progress? And used a handy management tool to capture anecdotal notes and evidence of student growth?
- What if teachers were able to identify and analyze students’ strengths and skill gaps; continuously? And were able to turn classroom data into plans of action?
- What if teachers taught their students how to do this type of thinking, so the student could be self-directed?
“We live in a world where information is growing exponentially. Let’s use tinkering and initiative to foster more creativity.”
Happy Holidays
Over the years, we’ve had a strange mixture of Winter Holiday traditions…from candle lighting to trees to feasts to travel to parties to…you get the idea.
These cookies kind of represent our traditions. I hope you and yours have a fabulous, safe holiday season filled with love, cheer and warm, happy feelings.
Groovy DIY Bandages
Recently I needed a bandage and the status quo wasn’t going to work….I needed a range of sizes from L to S. I used the supplies I had on hand: some zebra striped craft-type-duct tape and various sizes of adhesive bandages I had on hand. It’s a simple fix and I have been careful to keep the bandages paper backings intact, until use [to keep them sterile].
Oru Kayak
Here is a great idea that started from paper origami inspiration.
Oru Kayak is dedicated to sharing the wonder and discovery of the great outdoors— even for city dwellers. They believe spending time outdoors makes people healthier, happier, and more productive, and I think you should have a peek at what came up with. Maybe even donate to their KickStarter project?
FaceTime with Beijing
If someone had told me 18 years ago I’d be holding a small video camera and communicating ‘live’ with my daughter…I probably would have said, ‘Shut up!’ Then if that person told me I’d be talking ‘in real-time’ while my daughter was in Beijing, on her round-the-globe-adventure…I believe I would lean in and ask that person to tell me more.
Enter FaceTime and how Xernay and I have been communicating lately. From California, to Honolulu, to Narita and now Beijing and I have to say [despite the time differences] it works pretty good.
Logistically, where ever Xernay can get Wifi, we have been able to get a FaceTime connection. Strangely, when she calls up, it notes that it is coming via her gmail account. Yet, she’s still having difficulties accessing her gmail email account. One word: firewalls. We are working on this too.
