Speakers.... Watching the videos this week were entertaining, some much more than others. I highly enjoyed Sir Ken Robinson, he had wonderful points and was hilarious, a great way to grab your attention. One of his quotes stuck with me "Creativity is as important in education as literacy". In thinking about that, it kind of opens up a lot of thoughts. First of all, there are many ideas that are important but don't always apply to elementary school, especially k-3 when students are learning to read. Is there time for creativity and questioning and sythesizing and ethics and respect, etc. Of course but the goal is really the foundations of literacy. Perhaps my view is skewed because many of my students can not read in 3rd grade. I have been battling with my research and I am thinking more and more that our EL students do not have enough emphasis on higher order thinking skills. I have considered that as my research because it is something that seems to be a huge hole in our EL teaching and learning. But it seems the common thread with the speakers this week was the notion of education as it stands is not effective, we need to focus on the 21st century skills. Our schools are not equipped for the way life is now, where we are not training people for one job and not to think. We HAVE to teach kids how to think and solve problems. The article describing the IBM exectutive school really sounds like a lovely palce. I have often thought of myself as not creative, but what I have come to understand is that I do have creative problem solving, I am able to think outside the box and execute plans. No, I can't sing, or draw or even design a room but that is ok, America's Got Talent will succeed without me. I do have these other skills. Would I love to hone them and practice them and get better, absolutely. It is a shame that we weren't able to be taught that way when we were gowing up. It is exciting to think what I can do within my class with my students. I enjoy reading these articles and watching these videos and having these ideas, but I would really love to be able to have the time to apply them to my craft during the week with my kids. One thing I can do tomorrow is have my kids ask the questions... one thing at a time.
3 Comments
Sheri Blades
10/26/2020 09:41:05 pm
Don't you just love how wonderful Sir Ken Robinson was as a presenter/speaker? Our world lost one of the inspiring champions when he passed away this summer. I loved your "ah ha" for how YOU are creative! Not in an artsy kind of a way with singing or performing but with your out of the box thinking! I truly believe everyone has a spark of creativity within in...it's just a matter of finding out what and how to draw it out. One of the many "hats" for teachers to wear, right? Not just teach content but also develop skills and provide opportunities. Sounds so simplistic but truly that is part of our job. If you ever have a chance to read Sir Ken Robinson's book "Creative Schools" PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE do make the time. You can borrow my copy as long as you don't mind my pencil marks, highlights and bent pages. I LOVED his book because it was a rally cry for me to do what I believe is right for our students but he also gave examples of schools already doing it so that I would see that it is in fact possible.
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Erica Gysbers
10/28/2020 05:23:37 pm
Thanks so much Sheri!
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Laurie J. Gaynor
10/28/2020 08:09:02 pm
I too am a huge Sir Ken Robinson fan, and after reading Sheri's comment, I ordered it on audible. Erica, I can hear your deep yearning to do the best for our EL's. I was thinking of what I read in "Out of the Box" by Couros and Novak, and what I am reading in "Limitless" by Boaler and I am thinking that stories are a way to connect to our EL's. Phase 2 was a wonderful opportunity to build community with a shared book. I decided to begin reading (actually I am using the audible version, because the narrator adds an authentic Spanish Voice) "Land of the Cranes" by Aida Salazar. The first time the Roomers and the Zoomers heard English interlaced with Spanish, their heads snapped to attention. It was AMAZING. Now that I have them, I can bring multi-modal exploration to the lessons. The book lends itself to art and mental imagery. Creativity just exudes from this book. Critical thinking and academic language will come in time. But first we have to capture their imaginations! So happy you and I are on this quest together.
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About the AuthorI teach 3rd grade in Napa Unified. Archives
December 2020
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