Creativity · 12-28-2013
My friend Susan is a creativity force. Her imaginative winter-themed installations of art and lights are off the wall creative (see photo). I am fortunate to have taught with her and taken her specialty art classes. Based on my observations and experiences, I believe she empowers students by modeling the following behaviors:
Books · 12-22-2013
Happy Birthday to Jerry Pinkney, winner of the 2010 Caldecott Medal for his children’s picture book The Lion and the Mouse. The book's beautiful illustrations retell Aesop's fable (without the use of text) of how one good deed begets another. Jerry Pinkney is also the recipient of five Caldecott Honor Medals, five Coretta Scott King Book Awards, and four Coretta Scott King Honor Awards! In September, I was fortunate to view the touring exhibition of his drawings and watercolors, "Witness: The...
Activities · 12-19-2013
My friend and colleague, Patti, designs creative activities to challenge and motivate primary-aged children. One of her well-liked creations is the Scavenger Hunt Challenge Box. The purpose of the Challenge Box is to increase vocabulary and to encourage higher-level thinking. Enjoy the following winter Challenge Box activity adapted from her idea.
Museums · 12-16-2013
Combining museums and teenagers can be a daunting combination. If you saw the movie Museum Hours, you can appreciate the perceptive presentation of teenagers' texting behaviors. Additionally, among all the glorious art in the Kunsthistorisches Museum, the teens focused mainly on art work with horror movie themes, such as the collection of painted beheadings. How can we extend this interest to other works of art? This is a key question/challenge for museum educators. Dana Allen-Greil of the...
Creativity · 12-13-2013
Did you know books can be "altered" into beautiful works of art? They can be drawn in, bedazzled, and painted. Pages can be folded, sculpted, cut, woven, quilted, and rubber stamped. Personal narratives, poems, photographs, and quotes can be added. The possibilities are endless. My friend Susan (and her elementary school students) have created a variety of altered books/visual journals that are imaginative, inspirational, and poignant works of art. I learned some of Susan's techniques at a...
Museums · 12-09-2013
A few years ago, my fifth grade gifted and talented students completed a unique research project. Specifically, we sent letters to museum directors asking for input about one object, artifact, work of art, or a creative selection from their museum's collections. The selection could be a personal favorite, possess significant cultural relevance, be a "best" example of its kind, tell a story, promote a new idea, or expose students to a new experience. The purpose of the project was to provide...
Activities · 12-06-2013
Are there times when your children have "nothing to do?" If the answer is yes, here are a few holiday-themed activities to encourage creativity. They vary by interests, so there are options for everyone (grades 3-5). Creativity is the ultimate boredom buster.
Creativity · 12-03-2013
Consider the following four approaches suggested by art educator, Nan E. Hathaway:
Resources · 11-29-2013
Click the speech bubble to access the 2013 holiday toy list from the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC). "Each year, NAGC invites toy and game manufacturers to submit their newest products for review by students." Their magazine, Parenting for High Potential, highlights this year's entries. The recommended toys and games make great gifts for talented children and their families.