Creativity Archives - Page 11 of 23

Mar 23 2020

I’m Releasing a Free Audio Book for Middle Grade Students

By John Spencer Creativity, Literacy, Podcast 35 Comments

Before getting started, I just want to point out that teachers have been amazing over the last few weeks. I've watched entire districts mobilize to provide online and long-distance instruction while also providing a safe way for kids to get breakfast and lunch. Someone tweeted…

Mar 16 2020

7 Big Ideas as You Shift Toward Online Teaching

By John Spencer Creativity, Technology and Media Literacy 96 Comments

A few days ago, we found out that all of the schools here in Oregon will be off until the start of April. Many of the universities have asked professors to switch their courses from face-to-face to online. This is a move that school districts…

Mar 10 2020

Reflections on Turning Forty Today

By John Spencer Creativity, Podcast, Teacher Life 2 Comments

A quick confession. I love birthdays. I am not great at wishing folks a happy birthday online. This is mostly because I don't know what part of it is supposed to be capitalized (Happy Birthday, Happy birthday, happy birthday). However, I love birthdays because they…

Feb 20 2020

What Our Adopted Greyhound Taught Me About Life, Learning, and Creativity

By John Spencer Creativity, Podcast 2 Comments

This year, I decided my mantra would be "Be More Greyhound." This was my reminder to rest and to play and to find joys in things like walks. It was a reminder that I have the permission to be an introvert. For the last month,…

Jan 27 2020

Join the Vintage Innovation Book Club

By John Spencer Creativity, Vintage Innovation One Comment

Earlier this month, I published Vintage Innovation. This has been a labor of love over the last two years. I have interviewed hundreds of teachers, read all kinds of research, and spent time thinking deeply about this topic. Vintage Innovation is a big idea book.…

Jan 19 2020

Empowered Teachers Empower Students

By John Spencer Creativity, Empowering Students, Podcast 3 Comments

I have a bobble head of myself on the bookshelves in my office. It's a bit of an Easter egg that you can find in some of my videos. On the surface, this item seems arrogant and excessive. And yet, I didn't buy the bobble…

Jan 15 2020

Vintage Innovation is Here!

By John Spencer Creativity, Vintage Innovation One Comment

I have some great news! My newest book Vintage Innovation is officially open to purchase! This has been a labor of love over the last two years. I have interviewed hundreds of teachers, read all kinds of research, and spent time thinking deeply about this…

Jan 03 2020

Pre-Order Vintage Innovation and Get the Course for Free

By John Spencer Creativity No Comments

I have some great news! My newest book Vintage Innovation is officially open to pre-order! I'm offering a free course for anyone who pre-orders it. Scroll to the bottom for more details. This has been a labor of love over the last two years. I…

Dec 27 2019

The Power of a Mid-Year Reboot

By John Spencer Creativity, Empowering Students, Podcast No Comments

So, it's the beginning of the year and all around I'm hearing conversations about New Year's Resolutions. One friend is going Paleo, another is doing Cross Fit, and still, another has decided she's going to read 100 books in a year (which might be doable if you…

Dec 10 2019

Twelve Creative Alternatives to Showing Movies Before the Break

By John Spencer Creativity, Podcast 29 Comments

Don't forget to scroll down to the bottom of this post to download the Creative Ways to End the Semester Resource Pack. This is a post I first wrote a decade ago, when I was teaching middle school. Each year, I have revised it and…