Creative Thinking

Boldly declaring that you're a creative teacher
greatly improves your chances of becoming one.
Declaring you're creative will open up
paths of adventure in teaching.

. . . .

"Think of your mind as if it were a painting
by Joan Miro or Marc Chagall.
How would that mind teach?"

. . . .

"Teach as if you had the qualities of your favorite pet.
What would you do differently?"

. . . .

"It's not that the lunch you offered wasn't good.
It's just the same old lunch. Even if teaching is going well,
it may be boring you and your students. Think about changing
what you do so you can alter your lunch menu."

. . . .

"What new ideas for teaching would appear
if you thought about your topic as a detective?
A prison guard? A rock star? A saint?
An alien from another planet?"

. . . .

"Pretend you're a gardener of intellectually awakened minds.
What will you do to cultivate curiosity and excitement
in the minds of your students?"

. . . .

"What could you learn from an automobile mechanic,
an astronaut, or a bus driver about teaching?"

. . . .

While teaching, instead of thinking "play it safe",
think "play is safe". Let the playful part
of your mind teach today.

. . . .

Motivate yourself. On your way to class, declare the possibility that
you will create the most powerful learning experience
you have ever created as a teacher.

. . . .

How will you teach so you become a
good memory for your students?

. . . .

For one day, teach within the picture of a sunny, springtime day
when the blossoms are at the peak of their beauty.
On another, teach as a bolt of lightening.

. . . .

"Create variety in your teaching today.
Notice how much you enjoy it."

. . . .

"For one day, be the 1/4 inch of whipped cream
that makes the hot chocolate taste so good.
How will you teach in a special way?"

. . . .

When you want students to create novel ideas about an issue,
have them visit someone else's mind.
It's another kind of library.

. . . .

"Teach in a way that makes your students feel
like the fourth leg of a chair-necessary and important."

. . . .

"Don't be in a hurry to cover everything. Uncover something.
Take a good look, a big listen, a joyous, liberating breath.
Everybody's trying to figure it out."

. . . .

Teach from the roots.
What are the fundamental principles
you want your students to learn?

. . . .

Expand the size of your classroom
to include your local community and
then expand it to include the world.

. . . .

To discover the impact of service learning firsthand,
volunteer to serve in the community with your students.

. . . .

"Feel like a servant when you teach.
Whom are you serving? What are you serving?"

. . . .

"Teach class by not talking so much.
Imagine that the fate of humanity depends
on listening to what students have to say today."

. . . .

"Go to class with the intention of having fun.
See if you can walk out with a smile on your face."

. . . .

"Fasten the top button on your dress shirt and it will be hard to sing.
Wear high heels and it will be difficult to dance.
Loosen up and relax so your mind
can play while teaching."

. . . .

Be aware of beliefs you hold as knots
in your thinking that restrict your teaching.
Which knots could be loosened or undone?

. . . .

For one day, suspend the ideals that
cause you the most suffering as a teacher.
What new possibilities open up in your teaching?

. . . .

For one day, teach without resisting what you can't change.
With flexibility of mind, adapt to those circumstances.


words to inspire creative teaching menu

words to inspire home/ top/ home