Chapter 3: The Launch Cycle"Unleashing our inner creativity is like so many things we try; the more we practice the easier it gets." This quote from the beginning of chapter 3, by Tom and David Kelley, focuses us on the importance of practicing the 4 C skills. As teachers, we are responsible for providing students with opportunities to practice creative thinking, in addition to communication, critical thinking, and collaboration skills. If we combine efforts and make practice part of our daily routines across the content areas, the more easily and effectively our students will engage when asked to use these skills.
I appreciate that Spencer and Juliani mention that "design thinking is bigger than STEM." It comes back to the idea of inquiry - peaking student interests, allowing them to ask questions, and explore possible answers and solutions. Spencer and Juliani define Design Thinking as a way to encourage risk-taking and creativity in a positive environment. We can create these environments in classrooms of all content areas. Some subjects lend more easily and naturally to problem solving, design thinking and creativity, so explicitly teaching and practicing these skills in those areas is a good place to begin. I envision teachers sharing their experiences as we take risks in instruction. This way, we can learn and grow together as we build a culture for both staff and students where positive risk-taking is welcomed and encouraged. Having a process, like LAUNCH, creates a common language and approach for teachers and students. The process becomes habit - or like Spencer and Juliani mention - "the process is common to everyone," while the "end products [are] unique." I envision explicit instruction of the different stages of the process, particularly the initial steps in the LAUNCH Cycle as we begin. Engaging students in building awareness, asking questions, and researching can easily be implemented into our regular classroom routines. Brainstorming and creating are also important when appropriate in the classroom. I don't want to overwhelm teachers with the idea that the entire LAUNCH Cycle needs to happen all the time in every classroom. Share your thoughts: How do you envision the LAUNCH Cycle, or something similar, working in your classroom? I know the science department has agreed to use the 5 Es - Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate. How do these approaches relate or do they serve different purposes?
5 Comments
Julie
6/24/2017 10:59:18 am
Good morning everyone!
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Crystal
6/29/2017 12:07:44 pm
Julie - I agree 100% with the WIN ideas. Engaging students in STEM, Maker Space, Genius Hour - however we approach it - enriches the student learning experiences. We can still have time to work with small groups as needed, but I think lighting a spark is more beneficial than constant remediation. I feel that we burn our kids out. Peaking their interest and engaging them in using the 4 C skills more regularly will have a greater benefit in the long run.
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Therese Bukousky
6/29/2017 11:49:04 am
I agree that Steps 1-3 are just naturally part of science and that we can be incorporating them daily.
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Laura Shambaugh
7/31/2017 09:48:17 am
Hello Everyone!
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Crystal
8/2/2017 09:30:48 am
I think it's awesome that you can make a connection between the LAUNCH cycle and the natural artistic thinking process. If we can spread these processes, and make them common across the MS, students will strengthen their own connections of when and how to use each step in their daily problem solving and planning.
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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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