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Child: So what we your fabulous definitions of creativity? Mom: Utilizing a skill to design
or make something for a specific context and communicate an idea, expression or meaning.
Knowing what is expected within a context *** having the courage to think beyond it
in order to positively implement something new. TO bring about a positive change. Expressing
an imaginative idea through a medium in order to communicate it to others. It is the ability
to solve problems. I think my creativity has increased this quarter by thinking through
the steps of the various projects. Child: Oh yeah, I've noticed it in the awesome meals.
Mom: It goes beyond that. It goes into thinking through the details of the various projects.
It wasn't hard to engage in creative thought as much as it was thinking of the outcome.
How the message is communicated and how it is received. I think creativity has various
genres. The ones i am used to are more artistic, like music and paintings. I think there are
other genres, too. This course has helped me develop another side of creativity connected
to language development. It is a whole other aspect of creativity I didn't consider before
this course. In the forms of creative expression I am comfortable, I do not have to think through
the end results as much as the process. Another genre could be problem solving. Child: You
mean like when you ask me to clean my room and if i don't you think of new ways ot punish
my bad behavior? Like take away TV privileges? Mom: Yes,in that context it would be a creative
sollution if you responded by cleaning your room. Child: Oh, I get into bad moods sometimes
and don't respond well. Maybe I should think of new creative ways to respond to you, mom.
Mom: It is a part of growing up dear. Maybe we can work on the creative solutions together.
Speaking of, I have to say how I will use creativity in my teaching. You can help by
letting me know if it is an activity you would enjoy. Child: Yeah, I get to share my opinion.
I thought you'd never ask. Mom: Im' sorry, it is a new chapter now for positive impact
and creative change in our lives. Child: What would you like to know? Mom: In learning new
words, don't you usually just memorize and repeat? Child: Yes, ROTE learning is used
everyday. Mom: Well, how about if we keep some ROTE learning for initial exposure to
new words and then write a song about it? Child: That sounds good to me. Mom: You don't
feel threatened by the idea? Child: Not if the teacher makes me feel comfortable and
everyone else is doing it. Mom: Okay, so that's the key. comfortable class environment and
everyone does it. Child: Yeah, you could do about anything as long as I'm not poked fun
at. Could we do reader's theater? I saw another class do it, but as soon as someone made fun
of another kid, it was over. Child: Yes, I understand. We adults get embarassed, too.
I heard reader's theatre is good for language fluency and pronunciation. Mom: It's okay
to learn how to laugh at youself or even how someone else thought of your work. I think
that is a general part of life long learning that is important to teach. Child: Is that
why I see kids in acting class rolling around on the floor in front of everyone and no one
seems to react like it's silly? Mom: That is exactly why. They have grown so used to
each other and using self expression it goes unnoticed. Their confidence has been built
so that someone else's opinion doesn't bother them. That is what I want to build in my classroom
and with us. Child: I love that and I love you. What about the student who is only there
for a traditional lesson and high grade? Mom: I love you too my child. Unconditional acceptance
goes for everyone. Even the traditional student who only seems to want a good grade. I think
it's time for a piece of pie. Child: Oh yummo! Is it that new recipe with mixed fruit and
that unusual pie crust. Mom: It shouldn't be considered unsusual anymore after the conversation
we just had. Child: Oh yes, it is the newly made crust from ingrediencts we've used before,
just in a new form than we're used to. It's from tootsie rolls, right? Mom: Very good.
Once you say what it's made from it doesn't sound so unusual anymore. It sounds fun and
delicious to me.