Chapter 8 - Part 2 (Self-Reflection)"It Doesn't Have Meaning" is challenge #6 outlined in chapter 8 of Launch. The focus: Purpose! Purpose needs to be established to hook students and engage them deeply in creating. Spencer and Juliani stress that the purpose CANNOT be GRADES! And, we all know, that it so often is. As teachers we tend to use grades to "motivate" students. However, without an authentic purpose students lose motivation, they lack passion. "What happens to learners who don't care about grades, and workers who want more purpose in their job than just a pay check?" (p. 168) We need to help students find purpose in the activities, lessons, projects we expect them to engage in. Help them to see connections to the real-world, the world as it is relevant to them, connections to their interests, and ultimately spark their passion for creativity in some form.
So, what is your purpose? Your passion? I would like you to join me in the activity Spencer and Juliani propose in chapter 8. The authors encourage readers to "sift through the noise and all [our] interests" (p. 168). Reflect and explore your own interests using the strategies in chapter 8, pages 169-172. Then, share your purpose and passions in the comments. 1. What kinds of activities do you choose to do when you are free from expectations and requirements Things to consider:
3. What do you read and watch? 4. Create a bracket of your interests and eliminate interests. 5. Focus on your "Final Four" interests and engage in those activities. Narrow down to your true passion. 6. Understand your purpose. Why is that "thing" your passion? This why = purpose. Click here to access a bracket template.
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Chapter 8 - CreatingAs I read this quote at the beginning of chapter 8 I immediately thought of our "Attributes of a Big Spring Graduate." We need to keep this list of attributes in mind as we revise curriculum, plan lessons, and continue to strengthen our focus on the 4 Cs at the middle school. Our district has created a list of attributes we feel are critical for our Big Spring students' success in the 'real-world.' How do our classrooms and instruction reflect these skills and provide students opportunities improve upon them? These skills we expect our students to have upon graduation take practice. It is our responsibility to provide experiences for students where they can engage in creative problem solving, community involvement, global awareness, collaboration, communication (to an authentic audience) and various levels of responsibility and ownership in their learning. I know. It's a lot! Overwhelming, perhaps? It's not easy. I appreciate the honesty expressed in chapter 8 of Launch - "Creativity is not easy. It's not fast. It's not perfect. It's emotionally draining. It requires hard work and patience...[but] when we create, we come alive" (p.153). Within this are additional skills our students need; perseverance, patience, hard work, failure. It will take time to build these characteristics within our students. But, we need to start somewhere! We have to stop avoiding what we think our students "can't do" or "won't do" and face the challenges. This is why our STEM committee agreed to begin with a focus on the 4 Cs at the middle school. We are aware we have to start now! Again, I appreciate the honesty of chapter 8 as Spencer and Juliani create a list of challenges that come with an emphasis on creating. Let's not make these excuses, but instead acknowledge that the challenges are real and find solutions to overcoming the obstacles...let's think creatively! #1 - Time #2- Fear #3 - Chaos #4 - Resources #5 - Boredom #6 - Purpose (Passion) To end, this chapter was full of quotes I just had to highlight! Great food for thought as we plan lessons and "projects" for the 2017-18 school year. Please consider: purpose, product, process, interests, possible audiences, the challenges, and the level at which students will truly and authentically engage in practicing the 4 Cs and/or the skills we have identified as the "Attributes of a Big Spring Graduate." In the comments, please share...(you choose)
A reflection to the quote(s). How you would like to foster the "Attributes of a Big Spring Graduate" in your classroom this school year. Any other notes, reactions, comments from chapter 8. Chapter 7 - Navigating IdeasVideo From: John Spencer's Blog - "Brainstorming is Broken. Here's How You Can Fix It." http://www.spencerauthor.com/a-different-approach-to-brainstorming/ I appreciate the focus of chapter 7 and the depth of "Navigating Ideas." I often feel we don't spend enough time in the brainstorming/pre-writing/planning phases of writing, research, and projects. In many cases, students are expected to work through the writing process or complete a project in a limited time frame. We also emphasize completion rather than focusing on the importance of each stage of the process. In the Launch Cycle, Phase Four: Navigating Ideas emphasizes the value of providing students time to brainstorm, share and explore ideas, and plan before creating.
Spencer and Juliani outline a brainstorming process (shown in the video clip) with a focus on the power of independent and collaborative brainstorming. The time students spend in this phase can strengthen their interest and desire to dig deeper into an idea or topic. Steps 3-5 add a new level of engagement and critical thinking to the brainstorming phase: Step #3: Make connections to other students' ideas. Step #4: Add "bad ideas" to the consolidated list. Step #5: Combine unrelated ideas. These last three steps engage students even deeper in what Spencer and Juliani define as "Divergent Thinking - a process of seeing multiple options and viewing solutions in a different way." I love this idea of thinking outside of the box to include bad ideas and look for connections. This process makes it more comfortable for students to share their ideas with less fear of being "wrong!" It gives them the opportunity to toss around creative, odd, different thoughts. Different and crazy ideas are good! Spencer and Juliani explain that it's in these moments that often times solutions to problems or creative ideas arise. The brainstorming and collaborative process lead to great ideas! To connect to our focus on the 4 Cs, this process practices communication skills, collaborative learning, critical thinking, and creative thinking! |
Crystal GrossmanI love... reading, learning, instructional planning, brainstorming, being creative, working with young adults, collaborating with teachers, teaching. I love my job. Archives
February 2018
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