Science Quotes and Images

This is a simple video clip of Science Quotes and Images that I show periodically in my classroom. The images certainly capture the student's imagination and will quite often lead to them actually reading the quotes.

Just for Fun - Draw a Stickman

Just for fun visit Draw a Stickman.

Just open up the site and follow the prompts. This activity is fun but has a nice message at the end for your students. The site is most effective when used with interactive whiteboard (SMART Board).  Do not use the pens. Use your finger to complete each prompt. Make sure to follow all of the prompts until the very end to get to the message. 

Imagination is more important than knowledge. For while knowledge defines all we currently know and understand, imagination points to all we might yet discover and create.

ALBERT EINSTEIN:

Brain Cravings

I have been most fortunate to participate in three workshops by Louis Mangione.  It is an absolute pleasure to experience an educator who makes both teaching and learning appear effortless.  Louis Mangione's workshop on "Brainstreaming" is an absolute masterpiece as Mr. Mangione weaves together the art of teaching into a lessons about how the brain learns, efficient teaching in the block, history, math, italian and art.

One of the most important points Mr. Mangione shared is the three things that the learning brain craves:
Ritual, Novelty and Challenge.

Children, especially teen-agers crave Ritual.  They are lulled in to a state of security in knowing what is going to happen.  They are most comfortable when there is a definite routine, pattern, schedule.  It is in the safety of the expected that students find comfort and are able to let down their guard and be open to the process of learning.

Routine, however, can also be the death of the learning process if that ritual becomes monotonous.  Therefore, the brain also craves Novelty.  Students are always looking for something new, different, unique. Something to grab their attention and keep it.

Although most students will not admit this for fear of the work it may create, they do crave Challenge.  

They want to be challenged to complete new tasks, scale new heights and push themselves to new accomplishments. 

It is the task of the teacher to find balance among these three concepts.  Create a culture of learning within their classroom that balances the structure and routine that provides a safe environments for students to accept and take on the challenges without fear.  Where there is enough novelty that the process of learning does not become stagnant and the willingness to take on a challenge is not lost to boredom.

"It is the supreme art of the teacher...

to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge."        

- Albert Einstein -

Creativity is a Process

Imagination is more important than knowledge. For while knowledge defines all we currently know and understand, imagination points to all we might yet discover and create.

ALBERT EINSTEIN:

Look Closely

Don't just look at something. Truly study it. Eliminate all preconceived ideas about it. Keep on studying it until it gives you more than you want to know about it.  This is the beginning of the creative way to process the world.

Be Open to the Flow

The flow of creativity is worthless to you, unless you are ready to ride the current.  Allow yourself to be caught up in the energy of the flow and ride it to it's end.

Explore Without Bias, but Fully Energized

Gather all, uncritically.  Do not try to try to create form. Save that for much later.  This is a time to experience, grow, change, adapt, error, make mistakes and gain understanding.

  

Demonstrate Patience

Take your time to allow ideas to blossom.  Incubation is part of the process of development. Allow for down time in the process.  Separate yourself from the work and return with a fresh eye.

Let the Creativity Commence

The inspiration is not the destination.  The inspiration is only the initiation of the process.

The fun, the work, the experience, the real creativity begins with inspiration.  That is the time to cinch it up and take off, fully energized to take on all possibilities.

Remain Open to New Ideas

As you work through the creative process, keep the creative spirit alive. Expect and accept new ideas as the process may unveil them.

The Path is Not Always Straight

Be prepared for detours ahead. Realize some detours are simply a necessary part of the process and provide opportunities for continued development of your ideas.

Fine Tuning is Important

The ultimate outcome of the creative process is most often found in the smallest details.  Make every aspect of the creative process sparkle as you bring all of the connections together.

Change your thoughts and you change your world.

                        - Norman Vincent Peale