ZING! Seven Creativity Practices for Educators & Students Corwin Press
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About the Book"Written as a series of seven letters to teachers, this useful, insightful and inviting book encourages teachers to rediscover their creative and artistic energy in order to become more impassioned educators. Each chapter is thoughtfully written and includes project ideas that are meant to help teachers and students alike find and channel their aesthetic power through the writing process and other artistic endeavors. From quiet reflection and poetry to learning to cultivate and appreciate the language arts, this inventive book is a must-have for teachers and children’s services librarians who are looking to inject artfulness into their programs or curriculum. Readers will be left with renewed energy, plenty of wonderful ideas, and a stronger appreciation for artistic projects, the power of language, and cross-cultural understanding."—REFORMA Newsletter "Mora’s poetic voice, which describes her international travels and experiences as a cultural outsider, provides just enough encouragement and real-world sensibility to motivate teachers and librarians serving children from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Opportunities for further exploration of the creative practices and writing invitations are provided throughout the book"—Jamie Campbell Naidoo, Ph.D., ˇImagínense Libros! Blog "Acclaimed children's book author Mora shares the habits of mind and behavior that have helped her nurture and tap into her creativity… She writes directly to teachers within each chapter, first encouraging personal engagement with the practice and then offering ideas for how to help their students do the same. She believes that reconnecting with creativity will benefit the individual teacher, her/his students, and the communities in which the teacher participates. Not surprisingly, there is special emphasis on connecting with and supporting students and families from minority cultures who are struggling with the English language. The advice is clearly based on years of working with teachers, students, families and schools around writing and other forms of creativity and is a very personal account, similar to those of Annie Dillard (The Writing Life) and Natalie Goldberg (Writing Down the Bones). This would be a worthwhile addition to a teacher's professional development library. "—Children’s Literature "The book has an informal tone ('Dear Teacher'), as if Mora were speaking to a friend. She said she worked hard to achieve that tone. 'And I have the great advantage that I am regularly inspired by incredibly committed teachers who generously share their ideas,' Mora said."—“Unleash the creativity inside of you” interview by David Steinberg, Albuquerque Journal "Zing! is a wonderful book that encourages others to be creative by sharing what has worked for Pat Mora in all of her creative efforts. "—Camila A. Alire, Dean Emeritus, University of New Mexico "In a series of letters to teachers written with her signature poetic grace, Pat Mora gently reminds us of the potential in ourselves and our students while expanding our understanding of the writing process through metaphoric descriptions of other common creative acts. Zing! is a book to be savored, shared, and returned to for inspiration."—Lee Galda, Professor, University of Minnesota "In this era of mandates, accountability, and adherence to canned curricula, Pat Mora reminds us that great educators are fueled by passion and creativity. Mora reflects on her experiences working with teachers and students across the country, challenges us to reflect on our own experiences, and inspires us to think and act in new and more powerful ways."—Gary Bloom, Superintendent , Santa Cruz City Schools, Soquel, CA Cultivate your own creativity and the creative potential of all your students! Inventive teaching is an art form that enriches lives and transforms teachers and students. This beautifully written guide offers seven powerful practices for personal creativity and professional inventiveness. For each practice, author Pat Mora proposes a symbol and presents parallel exercises for teachers and students. Evocatively written in the form of letters to teachers and librarians, this book:
Table of Contents: Click here to read the introduction from the book. |
