Creativity Archives - Page 8 of 25

Mar 21 2022

Daniel Lewer On the power of student-centered, authentic, creative social studies

Daniel Lewer on the Importance of Student-Centered Social Studies

By John Spencer Creativity, Podcast No Comments

In this week's podcast, I interview social studies expert Dan Lewer on the power of student choice and authenticity in history classes. Check out the interview below. Listen to the Podcast If you enjoy this blog but you’d like to listen to it on the…

Feb 21 2022

Dominique Foster On Designing a Creative Classroom for Early Learners

By John Spencer Creativity, Podcast 2 Comments

In this podcast, Dominique Foster shares practical strategies for designing a creative classroom for early childhood students. She talks about instructional design and physical space design. She also shares ways we can partner with stakeholders to help them see the vision for a creative classroom…

Feb 07 2022

What Happens When Teachers Take Creative Risks?

By John Spencer Creativity, Podcast 3 Comments

When I was a first-year teacher, my mentor teacher observed me teaching a lesson. Afterward, we met up during my prep period and she said, "John, your lesson was outstanding but I want to talk to you about how you're treating someone in your class."…

Jan 24 2022

Trevor Muir Answers Key Questions About PBL

By John Spencer Creativity, Podcast 2 Comments

I had the honor of interviewing PBL expert Trevor Muir on what it means to get started with PBL. Check out the podcast below. Listen to the Podcast If you enjoy this blog but you’d like to listen to it on the go, just click…

Jan 17 2022

Why I’m Not Too Worried About Learning Loss

By John Spencer Creativity, Empowering Students, Podcast 5 Comments

All three of my kids have missed a significant number days because of the need to quarantine. The Omicron variant is sweeping through our neighborhoods and our local school district recently created a no-contact day this last Friday. Many caregivers and community members are concerned…

Jan 03 2022

Starting the Semester on a Creative Note

By John Spencer Creativity, Podcast No Comments

I'm sitting in my office right now with a web sprawling out all over my whiteboard. I'm planning out my five courses that start in the next few weeks. But even if I weren't designing new courses, I would be dreaming up new ideas. For…

Dec 13 2021

Antonio Sacre on the Power of Storytelling in Education

By John Spencer Creativity, Podcast 4 Comments

I had the honor of interviewing celebrated author Antonio Sacre on the power of storytelling in education. Check out the podcast below. Listen to the Podcast If you enjoy this blog but you’d like to listen to it on the go, just click on the…

Dec 06 2021

Ending the Semester with a Student Blogging Project

By John Spencer Creativity, Literacy, Podcast, Student Choice 10 Comments

December is exhausting for teachers. The days are shorter. The weather grows colder and (at least here in Oregon) wetter. Students are anxious — whether it’s a buzzing excitement for vacation or a sense of dread that some kids feel in homes that are unsafe…

Nov 15 2021

Dwayne Reed on the importance of STEM in education

Dwayne Reed on the Power of STEM Education

By John Spencer Creativity, Podcast 2 Comments

Last week, I had the honor of interviewing Dwayne Reed (aka Mr. Reed) about the importance of STEM education. In this interview, he shared big ideas about the purpose of STEM – including 3M Science at Home – but also specific practical strategies and first…

Oct 29 2021

Teachers Need a Genius Hour, Too

By John Spencer Creativity, Professional Development, Teacher Life 5 Comments

In my hardest year of teaching, we had a toxic school culture after a leadership change. I had panic attacks in the parking lot. Eight teachers quit by December. I had a stretch of nineteen days where I had no prep period. For me, community,…