Teaching with Valor Podcast: A Veteran Teachers Perspective
At Teaching with Valor, we believe in the transformative power of education. Our mission is to empower educators, administrators, parents, and communities to create safe, supportive, and resilient learning environments where every student can thrive.
Through our podcast, we aim to provide meaningful professional development and tackle pressing issues in education.
Teaching with Valor Podcast: A Veteran Teachers Perspective
"Unleashing Creative Potential in the Classroom" Professional Development
Welcome to the Teaching with Valor Podcast. I’m your host, Don Fessenden, and today we’re exploring how to foster creativity across all grade levels. Creativity isn't just for the arts; it's a crucial skill that enhances learning, problem-solving, and student engagement in every subject.
Today, we’ll delve into practical strategies for nurturing this vital skill from elementary through high school, and we’ll also cover some related topics to give you a comprehensive view on fostering creativity. Plus, stay tuned for our bonus segment where I'll answer a pressing question from a parent about supporting creativity at home.
Show Notes
For more information check out the following resources:
- National Endowment for the Arts - arts.gov
- Edutopia - Creative Classroom Resources - edutopia.org
- Creative Thinking in Education - creativityatwork.com
- Sir Ken Robinson's Talks on Creativity in Education - sirkenrobinson.com
- Harvard’s Project Zero - pz.harvard.edu
Stay tuned for more episodes, and remember, every student is unique, and every classroom can be a place where all students succeed. Keep teaching with valor!
Welcome to the Teaching with Valor Podcast. I’m your host, Don Fessenden, and today we’re exploring how to foster creativity across all grade levels. Creativity isn't just for the arts; it's a crucial skill that enhances learning, problem-solving, and student engagement in every subject. Today, we’ll dive into practical strategies for nurturing this vital skill from elementary through high school, and we’ll also cover some related topics to give you a comprehensive view on fostering creativity. Plus, stay tuned for our bonus segment where I'll answer a pressing question from a parent about supporting creativity at home. In the elementary classroom, fostering creativity begins with the environment you create. Young children are naturally imaginative and curious, and it’s crucial to provide a space that encourages these traits. This can mean setting up corners of the classroom dedicated to different creative explorations...be it a reading nook, an art station, or a science lab area. For instance, consider a first-grade teacher who transforms part of her classroom into a"creation station" equipped with art supplies, building blocks, and costume pieces for role-playing. Here, students can express themselves freely and explore various materials and mediums, which fosters a love for creativity and experimentation. Integration of creativity into daily lessons is equally important. This might look like using storybooks as a springboard for students to devise their own endings, or incorporating music and dance to help memorize multiplication tables. The key is to weave creative activities into the curriculum, making learning both fun and impactful. As students grow and transition into middle school, their capacity for abstract thinking grows, presenting new opportunities and challenges for fostering creativity. Middle school is a pivotal time for developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. At this stage, creativity can be fostered by encouraging students to question and explore the'why' and'how' behind the information they receive. One effective method is through project-based learning, where students tackle real-world problems that require innovative solutions. Imagine a science class where students are tasked with designing a sustainable garden for the school. They must research different plant species, understand the ecosystem, and use math to plan the layout. This project not only deepens their academic knowledge but also allows them to apply creativity in solving tangible problems. Technology also plays a significant role in middle school creativity. Teachers can incorporate digital tools like coding software or graphic design apps into lessons, allowing students to create digital artworks or program their own video games. These activities not only engage students but also equip them with modern skills that enhance their creative and technological fluency. In high school, students are preparing for their future careers or higher education, making it crucial to foster a creativity that they can carry into adulthood. High school students are capable of complex and sophisticated creative endeavors. Here, fostering creativity involves providing opportunities for self-expression and critical analysis. This could be through advanced art and music classes, drama productions, or literature courses where students analyze texts and compose original works. For example, a high school English teacher might assign a project where students must create a multimedia presentation that explores a theme from a novel studied in class. Students could use video, music, and text to express their interpretations, encouraging a deep, creative engagement with the material. Furthermore, fostering creativity at this level also means encouraging interdisciplinary learning...connecting concepts from art, science, and humanities to build a holistic understanding. This approach helps students see the interconnectedness of knowledge and inspires innovative thinking. Creating a school-wide culture of creativity involves more than just individual classroom activities. It includes school policies, teacher training, and community involvement that collectively nurture creativity. This segment explores how school leaders can implement programs and workshops that emphasize creative skills across the curriculum and extracurricular activities. Assessing creativity in the classroom can be challenging as it is highly subjective. However, it is vital to provide constructive feedback on creative projects. This segment discusses assessment strategies that focus on the process rather than just the final product, such as rubrics that evaluate creativity, effort, and improvement over time. Today's parent question"How can I encourage creativity in my child at home?" Many parents are eager to support their child’s creative development but might not know where to start. This segment offers practical tips for creating an environment that encourages creativity at home, such as setting aside time for creative activities, providing diverse materials, and showing genuine interest in the child's creative projects. As we’ve explored today, fostering creativity is an essential part of education that prepares students not only to excel academically but also to think innovatively and solve problems creatively. Whether through integrating arts into the curriculum, embracing technology, or encouraging interdisciplinary projects, there are numerous ways to cultivate an environment that values and promotes creativity. Thank you for joining us on this journey to unlock the creative potential of our students. For more insights and resources, check out the links in our show notes. Until next time, keep inspiring creativity in your classroom and keep teaching with valor!
