Expressive Readings

In my classroom this week I am starting my 9th graders into reading The Odyssey. So far, we have gone through the background of Greek Culture, and The Trojan War. In an effort to involve more of my students I had them read, in parts, expressively, the myth "The Labors of Hercules." As we are preparing to read The Odyssey, I was explaining the concept of minstrels, traveling poet/singers/story tellers.

I assigned several students, both higher and lower-level readers, to each read one of the labors of Hercules. I made sure to stack the higher-level readers toward the beginning of the readings. I told them to read for "more than the words." They needed to read with emotion, and amazingly they did.

This assignment not only kept the attention of their classmates, but it also allowed students who typically acted out (often at inappropriate times) focussed on what they were about to read. Then when it was their turn they were more emotional, in their readings, than their higher-level reading classmates. I highly recommend this strategy.

Is creativity "too difficult" to measure?

This week I was challenged to think about whether or not creativity is "too difficult" to measure. I think that the deeper issue remains a lacking cohesive definition of what exactly creativity is. If you cannot define something how can you be expected to measure it?

Another problem with this is the subjective nature of creativity, particularly in its evaluation. Something that may be highly creative could easily be overlooked depending on its obscurity and the judge's value placed on such a creation.

The next difficulty that would be faced is developing a strategy for measuring it, likely some form of test. There is always an issue of eliminating bias from testing and this case would prove to be particularly difficult.

Perhaps until we develop a catch-all definition of Creativity we cannot accurately measure. I would suggest that it is "too difficult" to accurately measure creativity.

Success

The other day I was sitting in a high school classroom staring at the, seemingly endless, motivational posters on the wall. I found myself especially entranced by one that read: "Success is impossible for those who fail to try." After I got beyond how awkward the wording is, I began to think about it. After thinking on it for a while I decided that I would rather have a poster that read, "Those who are always successful have failed to try the impossible." I realize that there seems to be some sort of dark commentary there, but I think that teachers need to be there to teach their students that failure is hardly the worst thing in life. I believe there is a much more valuable lesson in my proposed poster than the fluff displayed on hers.

Of course, that is just my opinion.

Crazy Ideas

This week my Creativity textbook challenged me to “think of three bizarre ideas for increasing the creativity of high school students – ideas that are guaranteed to get me fired.” Here is what I have come up with:

1. Refusing to report potential Emotional Disabilities.

According to Davis, some people who experience Bipolar disorder are enabled to create beautiful poetry. The belief here is that the periods of intense feelings give the poet the ability to create beautiful language, and then to be critical of their work. Reporting these students would potential effect their ability to create amazing works of art. However, I doubt that this would be a sufficient excuse if one of my students were to commit suicide.

2. Refusing to establish an order of conduct for students.

While there is something to be said for an orderly class, there appears to be a correlation between many behaviors that are often considered negative. In my textbook studies describe creative people using such terms as: Egotistical, Impulsive, Argumentative, Childish, Absent-Minded, Neurotic, and Hyperactive. A student described in this way would be expected to be reported based on behaviors that would often lead to such an evaluation.

3. Refusing to provide accurate feedback

Giving students accurate feedback is obviously what is in the best interest of a person developing a skill or understanding; however, it may become a barrier to their creativity. These students, who are trying to express their creativity, could easily become discouraged by even accurate feedback as they are putting themselves out looking for acceptance. Unfortunately, while this may help some, too many people receive inaccurate feedback, and that is why the 1^st 3-4 weeks of American Idol is filled with people convinced that they are talented singers. It will not be the best for everyone, but some kids will avoid being crushed by the judgment of another teacher.

These are certainly crazy ideas, that we all hope will not be acted upon, but each one has its own merit (well sort of…). They all at least made me think for a second, and laugh for a minute. They are definitely out there, but maybe there needs to be a degree of respect for each issue that has been brought to light by each of these ideas.