About the Book

"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:

• Helps educators access their creative selves and, in the process, become better teachers
• Nurtures students in expressing themselves through writing and other creative pursuits.
• Includes activities at the end of each chapter

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Welcome! Bienvenido!
1. Value Your Creative Self
2. Enjoy Quiet
3. Gather Your Materials
4. Begin Your Project
5. Revise
6. Share Your Creations
7. Steadily Persist in Your Creative Work
Hope/Esperanza
Suggested Reading
Other Books by Pat Mora

Click here to read the introduction from the book.