Creativity Archives - Page 14 of 24

Aug 20 2019

10 Things That Happen When Students Engage in Project-Based Learning

By John Spencer Creativity, Project-Based Learning 12 Comments

We often hear about the need for students to learn how to program in order to be ready for STEM fields and the Information Economy. It’s what we’ve been hearing for over a decade. However, there’s a fascinating piece from the Washington Post that explores…

Aug 13 2019

Why Trust Is Vital to Peer Feedback

By John Spencer Creativity, Podcast, Project-Based Learning 7 Comments

I still remember a moment in my fifth year of teaching when I invited my colleague, Javier, to observe a lesson I was teaching. "Colleague" doesn't quite describe it. Javi and I ran a project-based service learning together. We developed a fully tech-integrated curriculum together…

Aug 08 2019

Starting the School Year on a Creative Note

By John Spencer Creativity 9 Comments

When I was a middle school student, I dreaded the first week of school. Teachers would walk us, line-by-line, through the syllabus and handbook and we would practice the classroom procedures. It was as if school started a week before the learning started. But then…

Jul 22 2019

Here’s How to Empower Students While Also Hitting the Standards

By John Spencer Creativity, Empowering Students One Comment

Student ownership sounds like a great idea but what about the standards? How do we teach all of the standards while also empowering students with voice and choice? How do we accomplish this when we have a curriculum map? Rethinking the Curriculum Map It…

Jul 16 2019

Learning Is About More Than Just Speed and Accuracy

By John Spencer Creativity No Comments

When I was in the first grade, I was a tiger at reading. Tigers were fast. We knew how to tear through the text with speed and precision. But we weren't nearly as fast as jaguars. The jaguars sat at the front table, where they…

Jul 08 2019

Make Something Awesome This Summer

By John Spencer Creativity No Comments

I first wrote this blog post back in 2014. I was teaching 8th grade at the time and I wrote it as much for myself as for an audience. I'm reposting it now. "Dad, that's not even close to proper first position." "Okay, show me…

Jun 10 2019

Sometimes a Quieter Classroom Is Actually the Answer

By John Spencer Creativity, Podcast 3 Comments

A few years ago, my parents purchased the ultimate HGTV-style home, replete with vaulted ceilings, granite countertops, and an open floorplan. This was the dream space for entertaining. People could seamlessly move from the kitchen to the dining room to the family room – which…

May 30 2019

The Case for More Recess

By John Spencer Creativity 3 Comments

We tend to view recess as a break from learning. However, free play is actually a vital part of the learning process. Play boosts divergent thinking, flexible thinking, and creativity. It helps students learn critical social-emotional skills. Unfortunately, in many schools, students are losing recess…

May 20 2019

Growth Mindset is Great But Children Need Affirmation

By John Spencer Creativity, Podcast 2 Comments

A little over a decade ago, I read Mindset by Carol Dweck and it had a profound influence on my life. It affirmed something I knew as a teacher. Students show up to school with fixed and growth mindsets. As a teacher, I can do…

May 13 2019

What Happens When Students Don’t Finish Projects? (Hint: It’s Not As Bad As It Seems)

By John Spencer Creativity, Podcast 3 Comments

About a decade ago, I had a group of students who had a great concept. They would make a paper mural. It would be shaped like the U.S.-Mexico border and it would have a picture of the Statue of Liberty in the middle with a…

Dr. John Spencer

As a former middle school teacher and current full-time professor and best-selling author, I’m a big believer in empowering students (and teachers) through the power of creativity. Whether you sign up for one of my online courses, enroll in one of my cohorts or invite me to spend time with your staff, I promise you’ll walk away with a fresh perspective and new ideas to transform your classroom.

Creativity

10 Things That Happen When Students Engage in Project-Based Learning

Why Trust Is Vital to Peer Feedback

Starting the School Year on a Creative Note

Here’s How to Empower Students While Also Hitting the Standards

Learning Is About More Than Just Speed and Accuracy

Make Something Awesome This Summer

Sometimes a Quieter Classroom Is Actually the Answer

The Case for More Recess

Growth Mindset is Great But Children Need Affirmation

What Happens When Students Don’t Finish Projects? (Hint: It’s Not As Bad As It Seems)

Dr. John Spencer

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