Eric+Best


 * Eric Best:** **ebbest@gmail.com**

Creativity Pre Assignment



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Creativity is the foundation for practically all feelings of self worth as well as the basis behind accomplishment in life. Yes I know that is a bold statement, but I do believe it to be true. Creativity, whether that be creation of something new, or even finding one’s own path toward solving a difficult problem, there is a sense of ownership and accomplishment. It boosts ones confidence, and engages multiple levels of one’s mind. I actually believe it is the reason Video games have become so popular. Solve through skill, problem solving, and sometimes teamwork, this complex problem. You are given little instruction, but rather a scenario. You then receive immediate feedback. If you are able to traverse a correct path, then you get a reward. You get to try a harder problem, and the whole thing starts all over again, but expanding on your skills you have used. I am not saying that video games are the model for teaching creativity, but rather that students are craving it. We just need to figure out how to entice them into the creative problem solving situations in school.
 * 1) “Why is creativity important”


 * 1) “Ken Robinson’s Ted Talk
 * 2) “Write a summary of 5 main points”

1. He states that Creativity as important as literacy for the success of our students in a future we cannot yet see. Trying to predict how the world will work in 5 years has proven almost impossible, as there are as many theories as there are people with opinions. Many of our students will not be graduating for 5 – 10 – 15 or even more years. One of the few things we can train for that has the best chance of being useful in that distant unviewable future, will be the ability to think, visualize, and consider in creative and analytical ways. 2. Students are trained to be frightened of being wrong. We should encourage students to ‘go for it’ as he stated. Celebrating wrong, and then trying to find a way to be right, or another way to deal with a situation should be encouraged. 3. There is currently a hierarchy of subjects which is as follows - Math/Language – High Priority - SS/Sci – Medium High Priority - PE/Foreign lang. – Medium Priority - Arts – Low priority Considering the creative flow of students, and the importance of creativity, the hierarchy is actually infringing upon students opportunities to succeed. One question does come up however. It is a conclusion that many may draw. ‘Should we have students learn all of these subjects? If yes, then how long before they should specialize? 4. The current structure is predicated on academics. It was originally built for industry, and thus is almost 50 years behind the times in terms of structure. 5. Alternately, the only changes made to the educational system seems to be solely for the purpose of gaining access to colleges. Does not teach trades or any non directly academic pursuits. It pushes people away, discouraging people from certain pathways. It has also caused ‘academic inflation’ and thus degrees mean very little at this point in time.

The last assignment I gave, was writing a chord structure (Piece of music) with certain elements. I advised them to experiment and listen to their arrangements to see what sounds they liked, and what sounds they did not prefer in relation to chords. I gave them a structure to work within, but one that was very broad allowing for experimentation, and an opportunity to create their own unique sound. I AGREE THAT STRUCTURE DOES HELP CREATIVITY
 * 1) “Discuss how you nuture creativity in your students currently”


 * 1) “List 3 understandings or skills…”

I DO HOPE YOUR GOALS WERE MET. I BELIEVE WE OFFERED RESEARCH SUPPORT, ACTUAL IDEAS FOR CREATIVE APPLICATION, AND MODELED WAYS TO COLLABORATE ON INFUSING AND MANAGING THE CREATIVE CLASSROOM.
 * 1) I would like to be able to back up all of the ‘creativity based’ ideas with significant sources of research.
 * 2) I would like to know the best way to bring such ideas to the attention of Administrators and Board members so that there can actually be changes made in schools that will move toward ‘creativity based learning.’
 * 3) I would like to work in groups to come up with ways to both allow students creative room, but still hold them accountable how they spend their time. How do we encourage those that have significant difficulty with slightly more loose structured classes. Things such as trouble with group work, individual time management? Finally how do you go about evaluating [self, teacher, or otherwise] creativity?

= ASSIGNMENT 3. Class Participation and reflections =

I DO LIKE YOUR GROUP'S REPRESENTATION OF THE CREATIVE PROCESS







GOOD SLIDE FOR YOUR "INVITATION" TO THE TED TALK!!



SUPER PROBLEM. YOUR GROUP REALLY WENT TO GREAT HEIGHTS TO FORMULATE A CREATIVE PROBLEMS. HA!!!

Eric Best Creativity Application Lessons



= ASSIGNMENT 2 : Application of Creative Strategies =


 * Lesson #1**


 * Discipline:** Instrumental Music (6-8 grade Concert Band)


 * Strategy:** Scamper


 * Objectives:**
 * **Explore and Apply concept of Scales and Keys**
 * **Explore concepts of Tonic, Dominant, and Subdominant chords**
 * **Explore fundamentals of Improvisation in Music**

Use Scamper to teach improvisation using the Bb blues chord progression. (ie. Using Bb scale notes). Students will learn the base, then
 * Description of the Strategy:**
 * 1) Substitute notes
 * 2) Combine different variations
 * 3) Adapt to their best use
 * 4) Modify the rhythms
 * 5) Put sounds and rhythms to new uses
 * 6) Eliminate sections
 * 7) Reverse the notes


 * Implementing the Activity:**
 * 1) Teach Bb Blues background chords
 * 2) Students are separated into groups, and using the Bb scale/blues notes, work together in groups, and decide/find which notes they feel best fit with which chord, and which notes seem the best to begin and end on. (Substitute/Modify/Eliminate/Reverse/etc..)
 * 3) In the groups, students play the background chords, and take turns performing over the background chords.
 * 4) Students decide what they liked and didn’t like about their own improvised melody
 * 5) What would they keep the same the next time?
 * 6) What would they change for next time?
 * 7) Perform with Changes
 * 8) Perform in group for class final project


 * Assessment/Follow-up:**

I LOVE THIS IDEA. AS YOU KNOW I THINK SCAMPER OFFERS A SCAFFOLD FOR INNOVATION IN MUSIC AS WELL AS OTHER DISCIPLINES.


 * Lesson #2**


 * Discipline:** Instrumental Music


 * Strategies:** Creative Dramatics


 * Objectives:**
 * Develop a mental/visceral connection with the piece of music

In creative Dramatics, students will determine a story to go with a certain type of music, acting it out to create a strong connection with both the piece, and how the piece will be played as a group.
 * Description of the Strategy:**


 * Implementing the Activity:**
 * 1) Play recording of piece of music to be played/performed
 * 2) Students are broken into groups, and design a story to go along with the piece of music.
 * 3) Students create a ‘performance’ to act out the story as the music plays
 * 4) Perform the story in front of the class

Expand: - Students determine parts/individual instruments that would be ‘playing’ different parts or emotions throughout the piece. Link parts to vocabulary and symbols written in piece

SOUNDS LIKE A PETER IN THE WOLF IN THE MAKING!!!!
 * Assessment/Follow-up:**

= ASSIGNMENT 4. Creativity Socratic Seminar = 2 Questions:


 * 1. What benefits and/or drawback are there to using trial and error as a fundamental part of education?
 * 2. How do we make errors/failures the beginning of the process, or a step in the process rather than the end for our students? Our colleagues? Ourselves?
 * I LIKE THIS IDEA OF INCORPORATING FAILURE. GREAT QUESTION. WAS THIS A MESSAGE FROM YOUR TED TALK OR ARTICLE?