Classroom Creativity Killers [part 2 of 3]
# 4. I Kill Creativity when I Demonstrate instead of having students Practice.
I can sleep through a demonstration. I can not sleep through a hands-on practice lesson. Tell me and I might remember a little while - if I listen. Show me and I will remember a bit longer - if I pay attention. Have me do it - I learn it. When I demonstrate, I still get quite a few questions about what I "taught". When I direct a practice session nearly everybody feels confident to do it again using their own ideas. If a demo is the only way, I find that it needs to immediately followed by practice, not by the final product assignment. A demonstration can cause the aborting of imagined ideas before they are born. It implies a "right" way. I never see what a student might have imagined had I not provided the "right" way.
# 5. I Kill Creativity when I Show an Example instead of Defining a Problem.
I like to show the Art History, the Fine Art Exemplar, the multicultural examples at the end of the lesson. This allows us to use what we learn during the media work experience as frame of reference for the example. However, when not showing examples prior to media work, I must provide a better problem definition, more chances to practice the technique, and be particularly alert to students who may be floundering at the beginning of a problem because they are not accustomed to doing their own thinking.
When not showing an example, I must give students time for their subconscious mind to operate. This might mean that we discuss assignment issues and conduct practice sessions on one day and come back to the same problem on another day.
Often, if students are not accustomed to listening carefully, they feel lost if I do not show them what it is supposed to look like. In these cases, I repeat the problem definition using different words, or I have them make a some sketches of what they think might work. I also have them make written lists of ideas to pick from. Some are not accustomed to sketching and thumbnailing. They are not used to the idea that they are to originate ideas from their own lives, experiences, and concerns. Few other teachers ask this of them. When we do not show them the answers, they need help in learning how creative people develop ideas for their work. It can mean that we start thinking about things several weeks in advance. A future challenge can be presented long before the actual production so the subconscious mind can be focused on it. Several projects might be going on simultaneously.
While "image flooding" may be inspirational, it can also be intimidating and very suggestive. It can be argued that "image flooding" creates slicker work, but less creative thinking skills. It may win the scholastic awards, but it teaches us to go through life in other people's skins. We never learn the ecstasy of having original ideas.
# 6. I Kill Creativity when I Praise Neatness and Conformity more than Expressive Original work
Neatness is over rated. Conformity (and even following the assignment too slavishly) may be a negative indicator when assessing art. Product centered work may be thought of as very good slave training. What I want is student ownership. I often imagine what it might be like to be one of those artists cranking out "Starving Artist" oil paintings. They are done in painting factories. In any list of grading criteria, originality needs to have more importance than neatness. Neatness is a style but not substance. As a style, it can get some credit, but other styles need to get just as much credit.
Exercise
Studies have indicated a direct correlation between hours of TV watched and a child's body fat. Combining proper exercise with a healthy diet is the key to a healthy lifestyle. By understanding what exercises burn fat and teaching your child how to exercise safely, you can instill fun and healthy habits that will last a lifetime. And if you embrace a healthier lifestyle yourself, you will be a positive role model for your family.
Kinds of Exercise
Aerobic exercise burns fat. Aerobic exercise involves increased breathing and elevated heart rate over an extended period of time. After about 20 minutes of aerobic exercise, the body needs to use its stored fat reserves as fuel. Aerobic exercise can be fun for both adults and children, and includes the following activities: basketball, bicycling, cross-country skiing, hockey, ice skating, jogging, karate, rollerblading, rowing, soccer, swimming, tennis, and walking (fast).
Anaerobic exercise involves short bursts of exertion followed by periods of rest. Bodies develop stronger muscles as the result of anaerobic exercise. Although anaerobic exercise does not burn fat, its muscle-building results complement aerobic exercise (and bigger muscles burn bigger calories). Examples of anaerobic exercise include push ups, stomach crunches, pull ups, and lifting weights.
How Exercise Burns Fat
The kind of exercise that reduces fat is called aerobic exercise. Aerobic exercises include walking, running, swimming, bicycling, and rollerblading. During aerobic exercise, the heart beats faster and breathing is heavier. The increased oxygen you breathe in combines with stored fat and literally burns the fat away. Regular aerobic exercise (20 to 30 minutes of exercise three or more times a week) also raises the body's metabolism; the body burns more calories all the time - even at rest!
How Much to Exercise
To improve health and burn fat, people should exercise 20 to 30 minutes three to five times a week. Most children usually have no problem accomplishing this since their activity levels tend to be higher than adults. But if your children, or perhaps your whole family, is overweight, they may need more exercise. This means aerobic exercise - faster heart rate, increased breathing, muscles working. Aerobic exercise is steady, moderate exercise, not all-out effort. Don't let your child or adolescent (or yourself) overdo it. A good rule is the talk/sing rule: if they are breathing too heavily to sing, but can still talk, the intensity is just about right.
Exercising Safely
Consult a health-care professional before beginning any exercise program. To prevent injury, teach your child to exercise safely. Stretching, both before and after exercising, increases flexibility and helps prevent injuries from muscle strain. Proper equipment also safeguards against injury - make sure your child (and you) always wears the appropriate equipment for the activity. Some examples include: goggles or other protective eye wear, helmets for bike safety, mouth guards, elbow and knee pads, groin protectors for boys, and sports bras for older girls.
OUTFront Film Screenings
Paradise LOST: Ending the Cycle of Homophobic Violence in Jamaica
Amnesty International and Community United Against Violence (CUAV) invite
you to join us for a public forum featuring J-FLAG, the leading lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights organization in Jamaica, where we will come together to discuss homophobic violence and ways to demand justice from Jamaican authorities.
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Reception 6:30 p.m., Program 7:30 p.m.
Swedish American Hall (above Cafe Du Nord)
2170 Market Street (Church Street MUNI station)
San Francisco, CA 94114
FREE and open to the public. Preceded by reception with J-FLAG, Amnesty
International, CUAV, Human Rights Watch, IGLHRC, Soulforce and Transgender Law Center. Photography and filming prohibited.
For more information, call 415-291-9233 x206, or visit their website.
JOIN the OUTfront online action center to stay aware of LGBT human rights issues, and involved in related action opportunities!
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"Hate Crimes and Hope: LGBT Stories from the Bay"
Join the Amnesty International Film Festival and local LGBT organizations for the screenings of two outstanding films documenting hate crimes and stories of hope in the Bay Area.
Sunday, February 20, 2005
Screenings begin at 7:00 p.m.
Artists' Television Access
992 Valencia Street (at 21st)
San Francisco, CA 94110
Followed by Q&A with Chris Daley from the Transgender Law Center.
Not In Our Town, Northern California: When Hate Happens Here traces the stories of communities responding to hate crimes in our own region -- focusing particularly on the murder of transgender 17 year old Gwen Araujo in Newark, CA. The common tie for all the stories is a hateful act; their common hope is turning diversity into strength.
This Way Out tells the story of three individuals who escaped persecution at home based on their sexual orientation to claim refugee status in the United States. Besides portraying eloquent accounts of the protagonists' experiences in Brazil, Kenya and Pakistan, the film questions what kind of asylum the U.S. provides for them and what kind of "freedom" they have found.
FREE and open to the public.
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Wellness Center
Christy Parsons (Wellness Coordinator) is available daily.
Ian Enriquez (Youth Outreach Coordinator) is available daily.
Sheening Lin (psychologist) is available daily.
Emi Koga (Japanese speaking counselor) is available from Tuesday to Thursday.
David Thompson (psychologist) is available Mondays.
Kory Okun (relationship counselor) is available Tuesdays.
Wayne Hayes (counselor) is available Tuesdays.
James Guay (therapist) is available Wednesdays.
Rebecca Peng (Mandarin speaking counselor) is available Tuesdays and Fridays.
Jane Steiner (Tobacco Intervention Coordinator) is available on Wednesday. Lincoln no longer has a school nurse.
Derek So, Pauline Ong, and Henry Ha (Cantonese speaking counselors) are available on Thursday.
Peer Tutoring available 7th period and after school in Bungalow A.
Reasons Not to Fear the SATs
5. YOU CAN ALWAYS TAKE THE ACT INSTEAD: The SAT's rival
test had almost as many customers last year, 1.2 million
to the SAT's 1.4 million. It is accepted by the same
colleges and universities and has a few useful differences
for those who might be spooked by the new SAT. There is,
for instance, no required ACT essay question, although
there is an optional essay for those who want it. And
unlike the SAT, the ACT allows students to send to
colleges only those scores they like best. I personally
think this is not a big issue, since college admissions
offices do indeed ignore your worst SAT scores and count
only your best ones. But for people who can't stand to
appear in public with their T-shirt wrinkled or their hair
not right, the ACT score-choice option may provide some
peace of mind.
6. PLENTY OF PEOPLE WITH TERRIBLE SAT SCORES HAVE HAD
GREAT LIVES: Students usually don't learn this until they
are well into adulthood, but character counts more than
test-taking ability. The most happy and successful people
are those who have the energy and good
humor to find things they like to do and pursue them with
passion and patience. Some of us acquire knowledge and
skills faster than others, but the slow-pokes who
understand the value of time eventually catch up. The Rev.
Bob Edgar, a former congressman who is now general
secretary of the National Council of Churches, had an SAT
score of 730. Paul D. Wellstone, the late U.S. senator
from Minnesota, scored below 900. Brian Stecher,
a senior social scientist with the RAND Corp. in Santa
Monica, Calif., said SAT scores are designed only to
predict first-year college grades. "They are not supposed
to identify individuals with a strong will to succeed or
otherwise seek out individuals who will do wonderful
things in their lives."
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