Quote

"Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun." ~ Mary Lou Clark

I love this quote! Especially the part about breaking the rules - that is a must for creativity. Creative people are rebels, can be outcasts of society, but all dance to the beat of their own drum. W\hether their creativity lies in the realm of music, art, sciences, or writing, a creative person must take risks and go beyond "sane" and "normal". The "having fun" part is also key - creativity should bring you joy!

Writing a Book

Last night I stayed up late, wrote some poetry, and looked through my computer files to see if there were any unfinished pieces that caught my attention.  What caught my attention were a few finished children's books I wrote - I have no idea what to do with them.  A few years back I searched online for some publishers that accepted manuscripts and I sent my stuff in, and never heard anything back.  It would be so amazing to publish a children's book, but I honestly do not know where to start.  Maybe I'll put it on my list of things to do for this summer (which is rapidly growing).

Late Night Creativity

Article critique....DONE!
Lesson plan...DONE!
Reading...almost done!
Standards Paper for internship...DONE

Now for some fun!  So one of the best things about summer break, is getting back into my night owl routine.  I think I'm a night owl by nature, but I have to force myself to get up at 5:00 a.m. during the school year.  At night, I feel most creative.  I'm not really sure why it is, but late at night I write by best poetry, sew my best quilts, and just feel so creative. It makes for an interesting morning (yawn), but the night is young...I think I'm going to write some more poetry...

Professional Development

I've been working hard today making a PowerPoint for the staff development I am doing next week for teachers in my district.  I've presented at IAGC and ICE for a few years, but I've never presented in front of my own faculty before.  I'm excited because the presentation is based on a few things - Maximum Tier One by Pat Quinn, Differentiation strategies from my gifted courses, and some ways to incorporate technology into your classroom.  My kitty is very mad that I'm ignoring him and working hard on my laptop...

MAGE 459

Yesterday was the first meeting for the GIFT 459 class and I came home, relaxed, debriefed, and now can start to think about how to organize my summer.  I’m really not overwhelmed, I just get really nervous and agitated when I have things that I have to get done.  It annoys me to have things on a “to-do” list, and mine is getting very long.  Today was also the last day of school so I kind of have this “blah” feeling – all my work things are packed in boxes and I just feel displaced.  I think that the first thing to do is organize my portfolio for this course and at least get a Word document started.  I hate waiting until the last minute to do things, so I will probably get going on this as soon as possible. 

As for the summer class, I am excited to start planning for the “Super Sleuths” class.  Forensic science, mysteries, creative writing, and gifted kids…what else could a teacher ask for?  I am also very excited to work with Jenn and Sam.  They are wonderful people and I know they have to be wonderful teachers.  It will be fun to see them in action with kids.  I know I am going to learn a lot from them!  Speaking of Jenn, we had some undergrad classes together and then kind of lost touch.  I was so excited to see her again at a MAGE program meeting. 

I have a big task ahead of me, but I am up for the challenge.  The key to not stressing myself out will be to create a schedule to keep this class and creativity flowing smoothly.  I probably should get to that today, but this is my first night of summer break...maybe I’ll start tomorrow!

Blah

blah! not feeling creative at all today. i don't feel like using punctuation either. last day of school so i'm super psyched for summer but i hate the feeling of being kicked out of my space. i also hate the feeling of knowing all my stuff is in boxes and will all need to be unpacked. it was a bittersweet morning - the kids and I both were a little teary eyed. but after school was over i went to my parents' house and got to dig in the dirt! it has been years since i dug in their yard but i had time to kill before driving to NEIU and my dad was working in the yard. it felt so good to put my hands in the dirt and my dad was laughing because as an adult, i still am fascinated with bugs. anyway i have class now and then i'm going home to start my break! i have yards of fabric calling my name, quilts to bind, projects to finish before next school year, things to bake, poetry to write, homework to do...better get my ass out of this uncreative funk!

response to quote

"There is no doubt that creativity is the most important human resource of all. Without creativity, there would be no progress and we would be forever repeating the same patterns." Edward de Bono

I immediately think of primitive humans when I read this quote - without creativity, there would be no progress. Last class we discussed how at first humans used creativity for survival. They needed to find creative ways to solve their problems. I think that this quote still rings true today though. A little creativity created a huge social network, devices that allow us to communicate instantly, and all the technology around us. I also think of my own life - what would it be like to constantly repeat the same patterns - it would have not made me a better person.

Creativity on the last day of school...

Creativity on the last day of school is two-fold. On one hand, I have to pack up my stuff knowing I don't get to work with my students until August. Projects, fun activities, and creative endeavors will have to wait. But on the other hand, I am looking forward to summer, like I always do, as a time for to CREATE - sew, draw, paint, take pictures, and transform back into a night owl!

Definition of Creativity

My homework assignment for tonight...I've been thinking about it all day...watching my students and trying to formulate some type of definition that makes sense...I don't think it's something you necessarily "have" or "don't have" but I do believe it is something that comes easier to some.  Hmmmmmmmmm

Creativity is the innate potential an individual possesses to create something that was not in existence before.  It is the art of creation, the knack for brainstorming, the ability to manipulate language eloquently, the capacity to conduct color and sound, the capability of using your body for expression, and the gift to make a part of yourself eternal.

Journal from 1st Class

This is what I wrote last night for my first journal entry after watching "Why Man Creates".  Was too exhausted to post it when I got home and work was crazy...so here it goes...

Creative people are often viewed as "crazy" in their lifetimes, but "genius" usually after their deaths.  Are creative people "crazy"?  Is "crazy" being creative?  Extreme ideas drive change, yet the average person does not embrace change.  I liked the quote from the movie: "Society's contribution to change is criticism". That is so true.  I think we are born with the innate ability to be creative, but years of being told to "act normal", "tow the line", and "fit in" cause many people to not be able to see out side the box they have been crammed in.