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TEACHER’S CORNER STARTING THE SPARK By: Nicholas Provenzano High School English Teacher Lake Orion Schools I believe that creativity has a place in our classrooms because self expression is one of those things that makes us who we are. In my early years of teaching High School English, all of my projects for students were highly structured. I would outline every part of the project and I would receive multiple versions of it that were all the same. It was not very fun for me to grade and for the students to watch the same project presentation over and over again. One year, a student came to me and asked if the group could do a slightly different project. Something that still hit the assignment requirements, but allowed them to apply what they knew in a different way. It was then that I realized that I could give students the freedom to show what they learned in a way that suited their skills. When I backed away from controlling all aspects of the project, students took control over it. Nick Provenzano I believe that creativity has a place in our classrooms because self expression is one of those things that makes us who we are. Now, Free Choice Projects is one of my best ways to spark creativity in students. I establish the rough guidelines for the students to follow for each project and they come to me with a project proposal. For example, for The Great Gatsby, I ask students to demonstrate understanding of two themes and two symbols visually. Once I’ve approved the project, they get to work. Moving to Free Choice Projects creates an inviting environment for my students to try new things and to take risks. I tell students they have to choose a different medium of expression for each project to encourage them to explore different ideas. This allows them to stretch their creative muscles and still explore the literary concepts discussed in class. The deeper students want to go with their projects, the deeper they reach into the content. The first time I tried it, I received some of the best projects in my career -- movies, art work, poetry, a puppet show, and so much more. The kids were excited and the presentations were amazing! They loved showing their work to class and seeing what other students had done. Students crave ways to express their creativity in class. It is our job as teachers to give all of them the opportunity to shine. We need to cultivate that in students. If we don’t, who will? These projects are not just a fun distriction to keep students busy; they are educational tools that get the most out of kids. Free Choice Projects is just one way I use to get my students going. Think of your own way and start this spark in yours! Enjoy The Ride: Mini-Society of Student-Led Learning By: Blagica Taseski and Bethany Rocho 4th Grade Teachers Clarkston Community Schools Education seems to spin like a revolving door. Studies in developmental psychology have shown that the superior learning and motivation in children come from playful, rather than instructional, approaches to learning. As teachers are continually modifying their methodology to keep students engaged, in many classrooms today, Bethany Rocho instruction has shifted from ‘teacher-driven’ to ‘student-led.’ It is not uncommon for students to take a lead in meaningful conversations while teachers guide their thinking, clear up any misconceptions, and celebrate discovery. When last spring a fellow fourth grade teacher dug out of the closet the idea of having our students become entrepreneurs while studying Blagica Taseski an Economics unit called Mini- Society, we got excited. For years, curriculum demands pushed economics concepts on the back shelves of our practice, and this idea allowed us to bring them back to life. Together, we agreed that the best way for kids to understand entrepreneurship, economics, and consumer issues was through this self-organizing, experience-based approach to learning. For several weeks, we were introducing students to the basics of business Continued on p21 20 www.KidsStandard.org Publication INC.
Continued from P20 operations. They were expected to consider business partners, decide on what to produce (goods or services), apply for a business license (based on their product review) and a Bulldog Bucks loan, produce their product, and to keep track of an expense report. Along the way, students also advertised their products and created business cards. . These Shark Tank entrepreneurs quickly realized that building a business requires imagination, hard work, creativity, responsibility, and even team work. By operating their own businesses, students were "living" the terminology and concepts, rather than “memorizing” ideas for a routine quiz or test. They spent most of their time discovering and processing the learning through trial and error. The selling day was definitely our grand finale. That day kids saw their true learning outcomes not in a letter on paper, but in their ability to repay their loan and acquire profits. So what was wrong with the way we used to do it? Well, in a world full of LOL’s, IKR’s, and SYL’s, we have to engage kids in rich dialogue and cooperative group work in order to prepare them for job interviews, face-to-face conversations, and real-life situations. Prompting students to do their own thinking, rather than thinking for them, is not a new idea, but at times, it is forgotten in the midst of rigorous curriculum. We need to slow down to foster an environment that makes the thinking happen. We need to take the time to listen to students, to notice things with them, and to guide them wherever their imagination takes them. Enjoy the ride! Specializing In: • Recreational Gymnastics • Recreational Tumbling • Recreational Trampoline • Cheerleading & Cheernastics • Parkour & Free Running • Competitive Gymnastics • Competitive Trampoline & Tumbling • Friday Night fLipOut, Open Gym • Adult Open Gym, Capoeira • Birthday Parties & Field Trips • Camps 233 Kay Industrial Dr | Orion Twp, MI 48359 Register for classes now 248.340.0910 www.flipspotgym.org 500 East Second St Rochester, MI 48307
Page 1 and 2: www.kidsstandard.org ISSUE 6 | OCTO
Page 3 and 4: EDITORIAL CALENDAR 2015-2016 Editor
Page 5 and 6: CREATIVITY By: Olivia Sanders, 9 ye
Page 7 and 8: INTERVIEW What made you decide to j
Page 9 and 10: ART On top of creating Advertising,
Page 11 and 12: Connect With Us! Sloan Museum, Long
Page 13 and 14: ARTS AND SCIENCE Power of Classical
Page 15 and 16: PARENT’S CORNER CREATE AN INNOVAT
Page 17 and 18: We have activities for all ages, sk
Page 19: COLLEGE VOICES Interview of Kids’
Page 23 and 24: PARENT’S CORNER THE LAST WORD: IN

Interview

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