“The creative habit is like a drug. The particular obsession changes, but the excitement, the thrill of your creation lasts.” - Henry Moore
In recent months, I have been reading more and more about the need for creativity in the classroom. While I appreciate the need for creative thought in problem solving, I hadn't quite realized the power of the creative process in sharing until this weekend.
This weekend I decided to give the whole "creating something new" a try myself. I wanted it to be something outside of my comfort zone - something other than another SMART Board lesson or the like. Why? Well, I have asked my students to create...and going with my professional growth theme for this year, I wanted to see what it would feel like for myself.
This weekend I decided to give the whole "creating something new" a try myself. I wanted it to be something outside of my comfort zone - something other than another SMART Board lesson or the like. Why? Well, I have asked my students to create...and going with my professional growth theme for this year, I wanted to see what it would feel like for myself.
Note - If you are looking for a "math-project-in-a-box" set of plans and ideas along with a marking rubric, you can read more about the Math Project here.
Earlier this school year, we watched "Wind and Mr. Ug" by Vi Hart
After some exploration themselves, students in my Grade 9 class were in touch with Vi Hart via my twitter account. They made one long paper chain comprised entirely of möbius strips!
And Vi wrote back! Yes. Vi Hart!
You can't imagine their excitement...or enthusiasm for math class...same to be said for me!
Earlier this school year, we watched "Wind and Mr. Ug" by Vi Hart
After some exploration themselves, students in my Grade 9 class were in touch with Vi Hart via my twitter account. They made one long paper chain comprised entirely of möbius strips!
And Vi wrote back! Yes. Vi Hart!
You can't imagine their excitement...or enthusiasm for math class...same to be said for me!
Now, I share this story because you might think that I should have been prepared for what I experienced this weekend.
I wasn't.
This weekend, inspired by Vi Hart, Numberphile, and The Math Forum at Drexel University, I decided to create my own video - about 2013.
Heading into it all, I was thinking that it would simply be a lark to do this and it would make for a funny introduction to my lesson for Tuesday's class. I did not realize just how much I would learn from the whole experience....
The writing of the script, the thoughtful process of what to write and record...lots learned, but nothing totally unexpected there.
The unexpected?
First, it was the scariness of the sharing. Wow. I wasn't prepared for how uncomfrotable that felt. But, I have asked the students to share, so I felt compelled to do so myself. It took me quite a while to get over the nervousness of tweeting it out to twitterverse. Someone very kind replied immediately with one word - "Awesome! " What a powerful word! And you can't imagine the relief it brought! Is this how our students feel about sharing their work with us?
Next, it was the suspense. I didn't expect that either. It was wondering who else might actually take the time to watch it. And, if they did, would they like it? Why did I care? It was all very strange to feel these things. Again, is this what our students feel as they wait for us to respond to their work?
I wasn't.
This weekend, inspired by Vi Hart, Numberphile, and The Math Forum at Drexel University, I decided to create my own video - about 2013.
Heading into it all, I was thinking that it would simply be a lark to do this and it would make for a funny introduction to my lesson for Tuesday's class. I did not realize just how much I would learn from the whole experience....
The writing of the script, the thoughtful process of what to write and record...lots learned, but nothing totally unexpected there.
The unexpected?
First, it was the scariness of the sharing. Wow. I wasn't prepared for how uncomfrotable that felt. But, I have asked the students to share, so I felt compelled to do so myself. It took me quite a while to get over the nervousness of tweeting it out to twitterverse. Someone very kind replied immediately with one word - "Awesome! " What a powerful word! And you can't imagine the relief it brought! Is this how our students feel about sharing their work with us?
Next, it was the suspense. I didn't expect that either. It was wondering who else might actually take the time to watch it. And, if they did, would they like it? Why did I care? It was all very strange to feel these things. Again, is this what our students feel as they wait for us to respond to their work?
And, then it came. Word from The Math Forum. They liked it! What a relief...and a wee bit of a thrill!
Why does all of this excite me so much? Why does it make me so enthused for class on Tuesday? Does it matter the reason why?
Then it hit me...this is a feeling that I want for my students as they work on their mathematics. I want them to love math.
Is that so wrong? I want them to feel this passion. This excitement for learning.
This excitement, this enthusiasm, was born from this heady feeling of creativity...wanting more..wanting to learn more...wanting to dig deeper...now I get it!
Creating.
Yes - I will find more opportunities for THIS in my classroom. This is truly heady stuff.
Why does all of this excite me so much? Why does it make me so enthused for class on Tuesday? Does it matter the reason why?
Then it hit me...this is a feeling that I want for my students as they work on their mathematics. I want them to love math.
Is that so wrong? I want them to feel this passion. This excitement for learning.
This excitement, this enthusiasm, was born from this heady feeling of creativity...wanting more..wanting to learn more...wanting to dig deeper...now I get it!
Creating.
Yes - I will find more opportunities for THIS in my classroom. This is truly heady stuff.