Creativity

Ken Robinson video:
"Creatively Speaking: Part 2." Edutopia. Web. 11 Nov 2009.
http://www.edutopia.org/sir-ken-robinson-creativity-part-two-video
Ken's article:
"Schools Must Validate Artistic Expression." Edutopia Oct 2006: Web. 11 Nov 2009.
http://www.edutopia.org/take-chance-let-them-dance

Stopping, thinking, reexamining what we do and believe, trying to see the world from a different perspective. Be creative. All of these are so important and yet it is so easy to get caught up in the day to day routine . . .
Ken's ideas made me stop and think about education (big picture) as well as how and what we are teaching at my high school (local view).
He got my attention with his creativity test results: 98% of 3 to 5 year olds score high (genius) in divergent thinking/creativity. By the time those students are age 13 to 15, that number has dropped to only 18%. How sad. Our system values academics (some more than others) and discourages "being wrong" and "making mistakes." Our system is educating the creativity right out of them. How many students are left behind or never reach their potential because of our education system's limited focus? I agree that future success - for our planet and our kids - will require creative thinkers willing to take risks and try new things.

Much of what Ken says is even more pronounced at the high school level. The focus on content is intense. Standardized and multiple choice testing is the norm. Smaller schools are often forced to choose between programs and in tough budget times, it gets worse. At my high school the current focus is literacy because our students' language arts results lag behind their performance in math. Nobody is talking about creativity. The state of Maine's curtailment will force the elimination of teaching positions and programs. It seems inevitable that art, performing arts, chorus and numerous co-curricular stipended positions will be targeted. These are some of the programs and activities that educate the "whole person." As programs are eliminated it will be even more critical that we infuse creativity and divergent thinking across the curriculum and into our school culture .. and the earlier the better.