EDUCATING AN ORIGINAL THINKER

“How teachers and parents can identify and cultivate children who think creatively and unconventionally”

By: Jessica Lahey

Published: The Atlantic, Feb 12 2016,  http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2016/02/educating-an-original-thinker/462468/  

Level of difficulty: ***

VIDEOS TO WATCH AND MAKE NOTES ON IN PREPARATION FOR THE READING TASK

·         Cognitive Thinking: Creativity, Brainstorming and Convergent & Divergent Thinking

http://study.com/academy/lesson/cognitive-thinking-creativity-brainstorming-and-convergent-divergent-thinking.html

·         Ken Robinson: Do schools kill creativity?

https://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity

QUESTIONS

1.       What is the purpose of the Jessica Lahey in writing the article? To clarify….

2.       Modern teachers are giving up on traditional classroom practices in the hope of fostering…..

3.       Acc to Grant, a certain amount of structure and discipline is necessary in the classroom to avoid………………………foster……………………………and prevent……………………

4.       What is the jigsaw classroom and why is it recommended?

5.       The examples concerning Franklin and Lucy Stone  are meant to prove that …………………………will help promote ……………………………………..

6.       Making mavericks a part of the solution will help discover ………………………….

7.       Why do many teachers prefer obedient students who will do as they are told?

8.       Adopting George Lucas’s proposal will help lessen / increase / decrease / slow down /demand for imaginative and inventive activities during school.

9.       Albert Einstein was always getting into trouble with his math teachers who wanted him to focus on the …………………….they emphasized. What they should have done was to allow a compromise by ……………………………………………

10.   Not promoting creativity in the classroom has disadvantages both for the individual and the society as a whole because on the one hand …………………………….; on the other hand…………………………………………………….

11.   Focusing on values rather than rules is vital because such an approach allows kids to …………………………………………………………………………………….

WRITING TASK

Use the information you have gleaned from the videos you have watched and the text you have studied to discuss the ways in which creativity is stifled in modern education and the changes that should be made. Remember to provide justification and examples. Before you start, read the following short text and make some notes; remember to also watch the video:
Gifted Children and Lack of Attention http://giftedkids.about.com/od/schoolissues/qt/inattentive.htm

EDUCATING AN ORIGINAL THINKER KEY AND TEACHERS’ NOTES
This superb text highlights the importance of fostering creativity in children. It focuses on the untold damage done by an unnecessary emphasis on structure and rules and discusses ways in which creativity can be increased and allowed to develop. The writing task brings the text and the videos together and presents quite a cognitive challenge.

1. To clarify the role teachers play in educating original children, and how teachers and parents alike can protect what’s special in these original children
2. Original thinking (you can’t foster a person)
3. Choice paralysis, the development of frameworks for figuring out how to approach a problem, failure to implement new ideas.
4. It is a classroom where the teacher lectures for 10 minutes then lets kids develop their own way of teaching the lesson learned and present in small groups. It prevents stereotypes and prejudice and it is a great way to nurture creative thinking.
5. Reinterpreting something the students have learnt; creative thinking.
6. A positive outlet for their rebellion
7. They are easier to teach
8. Increase
9. Formulaic instruction ; giving students the freedom to explore new solutions once they’ve demonstrated understanding of existing ones
10. Teachers’ unwelcoming attitudes may alienate children from formal education; teachers’ dislike of the behaviors associated with creativity leads to the extinction of those behaviors.
11. Take ownership over their own system of values (that…)

SEARCHING FOR THE BRAIN’S INTERNAL CLOCK

“New research suggests we may use the same neurons to map time and space”

By: Emily Singer

Published: The Atlantic, Jan 29, 2016, http://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2016/01/brain-map-time-space/431643/ and Quanta Magazine, Jan 26, 2016, https://www.quantamagazine.org/20160126-how-the-brain-maps-time/ under the title “New clues to how the brain maps time”

Level of difficulty: ***

BEFORE YOU READ 

Perception of reality, flow of time and ourselves” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYzxi2dv6TU   

QUESTIONS

1.       The reason why scientists have been unable to pinpoint brain regions involved with judging time is the fact that

·         How the brain tracks time is a mystery

·         The brain doesn’t have a neural timekeeper

·         There is no one region that controls time

·         There is no center in the brain that monitors time

2.       It is suggested in the text that the hippocampus and the entorhinal cortex may be involved in monitoring time for the following reasons:

3.       It can be concluded from Eichenbaum’s research that

·         The brain’ grid cells are pliable

·         The brain’s grid cells act like a dead reckoning system

·         The brain’s grid cells keep track of distance and time

·         The brain’s sense of space and time are intertwined

4.       The fact that grid cells and other GPS-like cells are multifunctional enables them to ………….

5.       The purpose of the experiment with the rats was checking to see…………………………….

6.       As a result of the experiment it has been proved that

·         Neurons all fire at different times

·         The duration of the period on the treadmill can be accurately estimated

·         The cells do in fact mark distance

·         Some cells in the brain are definitely linked to time

7.       The main difference between a stopwatch and cells controlling time in the brain is that the former ………………………………………….

8.       The conclusion that time cells rely on context was reached as a result of observing …………….

9.       Scientists don’t all agree on how versatile / multifunctional / skilled / independent the hippocampus is. Circle the wrong answer.

10.   Which of Eichenbaum’s views does David Foster not agree with?

11.   What does “It” refer to in the phrase “It is not precise enough”?

12.   Replace the phrase "this mental activity" with a phrase of your own.

13.   It may not really  be sensible to try and find hippocampal cells that keep track of time because………………………………………………………………………………………………………

14.   We understand from the experiences of H.M. that the hippocampus has the dual function of…………………………….and……………………………………

15.   What is the purpose of Eichenbaum’s new experiment?

WRITING TASK

Write a concise summary of the text you have read. You will need to reorganize the information and make connections to be able to do so so be careful

SEARCHING FOR THE BRAIN’S INTERNAL CLOCK KEY AND TEACHERS’ NOTES

This wonderful text is specifically for science buffs but at the same time should have universal appeal. The summary task is challenging and students may require some help.

1.       The third option

2.       The same cells that monitor an individual’s location in space also mark the passage of time / both regions of the brain are famous for their role in memory and navigation.

3.       The fourth option (the third one is a finding on which the conclusion is based

4.       Map experiences

5.       How the hippocampus monitors time

6.       The fourth option

7.       Is not adaptable or cannot be programmed

8.       Rats exploring a new environment

9.       Independent

10.   That cells can code for the pure passage of time

11.   The firing of cells

12.   Helping to remember the past and plot the future (Possible answer)

13.   The human brain often considers time and space interchangeably / Physicists consider space-time as a cohesive four-dimensional entity

14.   Organizing memories and making new memories

15.   To see how time cells modify their code to remember the order in which the events occured

NEOLIBERALISM HAS BROUGHT OUT THE WORST IN US

“An economic system that rewards psychopathic personality traitshas changed our ethics and our personalities”

Paul Verhaeghe

Published: The Guardian, 29 September 2014 http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/sep/29/neoliberalism-economic-system-ethics-personality-psychopathicsthic

Level of Difficulty: ***

TAKE THE TEST

• The psychopath test  http://vistriai.com/psychopathtest/

BEFORE YOU READ

• Hare psychopathy checklist http://www.minddisorders.com/Flu-Inv/Hare-Psychopathy-Checklist.html  

WATCH AND LISTEN

• The psychopathic corporation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmUXp_zE14E

QUESTIONS

1. What misconception do we need to be disabused of?
2. The reason why economic change is having a serious impact on who we are and what we believe in is the fact that……………………………………………………………………………………
3. It can be concluded from the text that being glib is more important than being

·         Shallow

·         Frivolous

·         Profound

·         Insignificant

4. Being glib is not enough on its own; it only becomes a bonus if it is accompanied by a propensity to……………………………………………………………………………………………..
5. The above provides an added bonus the individual in the modern business world is completely free of …………………………………..
6. The fact that modern man feels no accountability also means he is free to be as ………………………..as he likes. This results in secure /speculative / dependable / sound / dangerous endeavors.
7. Currently, the EU is pressuring Turkey to open its borders to the refugees but closing their own borders to the same refugees. They are doing this because in the modern world it is more important to……………………..This is what the system,………………………, demands.
8. Bullying is now witnessed in workplaces too because ……………………………………….
9. The loss of self reliance and self dependence in the workplace can be linked to…………on the one hand and to ………………………….on the other.
10. The serious drop in the levels of self respect people feel in the modern world is due to a lack of…………………………………………………………………………..
11. The message of society that everyone can succeed if they try is ironical because in fact ……………………………………………..
12. Why is the message of neoliberal meritocracy described as a fairytale?

·         Because it is extremely beautiful

·         Because it is completely ridiculous

13. Read Zygmunt Bauman’s views concerning the age we are living in. Which of the following can be deduced about modern man?

·         We are far freer, in every respect, than we used to be

·         We are not nearly as free as we used to be

·         We think we are far freer in every respect

·         We think we are not nearly as free as we used to be

14. Which of the following individuals would be ‘breaking the rules governing modern society’?

·         A new mother who prefers to return to work immediately and hire a nanny

·         A teacher who turns down a well paying job at a private university because he feels he has more to give students of a state university.

·         A young person with an excellent education who chooses to take up acting instead of pursuing a career.

·         A person who uproots his family to move to another city because he has got a promotion.

WRITING TASK

The first alternative:

“We are forever told that we are freer to choose the course of our lives than ever before, but the freedom to choose outside the success narrative is limited” To what extend do you agree? Discuss.

The second alternative:

“The current economic system is bringing out the worst in us” To what extent do you agree? Discuss.

NEOLIBERALISM HAS BROUGHT OUT THE WORST IN US KEY AND TEACHERS’ NOTES

This brilliant text is full of some serious home truths about the current era and is, therefore, rather depressing. It should, however, provide plenty of food for thought and lead to some lively discussions. You should find it interesting to see how cynical or idealistic your students are.

1. That our identities are stable and largely separate from outside forces.
2. Meritocratic neoliberalism favours certain personality traits and penalizes others.
3. Profound
4. To lie and feel little guilt
5. Responsibility (for his own behavior)
6. Flexible and impulsive / speculative
7. Extract more profit from the situation / neoliberal meritocracy
8. The impotent need to vent their frustration on the weak
9. Constant evaluations / infantilisation of the workers
10. Recognition
11. The freedom to choose outside the success narrative is limited (notice the key word is ironical so answers like an increasing number of people fail… will not work; there is no irony)
12. The second
13. We think we are far freer in every respect
14. The second and the third

MONEY AND HAPPINESS; WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP?

Whether we’re born rich or poor, our lives are shaped by our unconscious beliefs about money. What are your ‘money scripts’, and what do they reveal about your attitude to earning, spending, saving and borrowing? The Guardian

Take the test, do your research and determine where you stand; then write your essay. Remember: your objective is to prove that your standpoint is the correct one.
Refer to my second blog, The Essay Archive, for sample essays: https://theessayarchive.blogspot.com.tr/  

Take the test

·         How much does money matter to you? http://www.theguardian.com/thinking-about-money/2016/jan/28/how-much-does-money-matter-take-test

The major arguments for and against

·         Does money bring happiness? http://www.debate.org/opinions/does-money-bring-happiness

Reading material to make notes on:

·         Why does money matter? https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/cultural-animal/200806/why-does-money-matter-the-psychological-meaning-money 

·         The 3 reasons money brings satisfaction but not happiness http://www.spring.org.uk/2008/04/3-reasons-money-brings-satisfaction-but.php

·         More money does make you happier http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2813751/Survey-Asia-finds-money-brings-happiness.html

Videos to watch and make notes on:

·         How to buy happiness https://www.ted.com/talks/michael_norton_how_to_buy_happiness  

·         Can money buy happiness? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSIkdWxotKw

·         Can money buy happiness? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hE-LjTjVYbI

HOW DOES A CONARTIST TRICK YOU?

Conartists have always existed.  Do your research and write about what kinds of people they are, the tricks they use, who they target and why, and why they succeed. In your conclusion suggest ways in which people can protect themselves. While doing your research, you will learn about famous conmen. You will need to draw conclusions, discover similarities and generalize. When writing your essay, state what generalizations you can make and also provide examples.

Refer to my second blog, The Essay Archive, for sample essays: https://theessayarchive.blogspot.com.tr/  

Reading material to make notes on

·         The conman who pulled off history’s most audacious scam http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20160127-the-conman-who-pulled-off-historys-most-audacious-scam

·         The best and worst ways to spot a liar http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20150906-the-best-and-worst-ways-to-spot-a-liar

·         The hidden tricks of powerful persuasion http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20150324-the-hidden-tricks-of-persuasion

·         How con artists trick your mind http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20141003-the-mind-tricks-of-scammers

Documentary to watch:

• "60 Minutes" Presents: 21st Century Cons https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTu9kgsZoV0

Film to watch

·         The Great Pretender https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ji5ToaZ2M40

WHO WAS GEORGE-EUGENE HAUSSMAN?

Was George Eugene Haussman the greatest architect of all time or is he to blame? Do your research and decide to what extent Napoleon is to be applauded for giving him free rein in his architectural endevours.
Refer to my second blog, The Essay Archive, for sample essays: https://theessayarchive.blogspot.com.tr/  

Familiarize yourself with the issue:

• Photographer records the transformation of Paris https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PUdhjH2VAI

Reading material to make notes on

·         The man who created Paris http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20160126-how-a-modern-city-was-born

·         Haussman’s Paris http://www.arthistoryarchive.com/arthistory/architecture/Haussmanns-Architectural-Paris.html

·         Haussman and new Paris https://www.mtholyoke.edu/courses/rschwart/hist255-s01/mapping-paris/Haussmann.html  Click the ribbon on the right to access details of the changes Haussman made

Reading material and accompanying audio to make notes on:

·         George Eugene Haussman http://uh.edu/engines/epi2523.htm

Videos to make notes on:

·         George Eugene Haussman’s urban renewal of Paris http://study.com/academy/lesson/georges-eugene-haussmann-s-urban-renewal-of-paris.html

THE POISONING OF A TOWN: FLINT’S WATER SUPPLY

Do you trust that the water you drink is as safe to drink as your water board claims? Water either looks ‘clean’ and is therefore ‘clean’ or looks murky and is not; right? Wrong! Many of the worst toxins are colorless and odorless. The added bonus: they not only destroy the quality of life or life of one generation, but the next one as well so think again. What happened in Flint Michigan is a cautionary tale that could be happening where you are living too. Do your research and tell the story. Remember to also discuss the effects of the specific toxin at issue, implications for the future and who is to blame.

Refer to my second blog, The Essay Archive, for sample essays: https://theessayarchive.blogspot.com.tr/  

Note to the student: you will find it necessary to use the past forms of modals, conditional structures, narrative structures while writing your essay. You will also have to think back to process descriptions  

Familiarize yourself with the issue:

·         22 Powerful photos show the devastating reality of Flint’s water http://mic.com/articles/133019/22-powerful-photos-show-the-devastating-reality-of-flint-s-water-crisis#.5j4HQSjmV

Find out about lead poisoning:

·         http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lead-poisoning/basics/definition/con-20035487 Follow the arrows to read about the symptoms, effects and the treatment.

The tragedy of Flint: watch the video

·         Undrinkable the Flint water emergency https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TA53UEr2vaQ

Reading material to make notes on

·         Who’s responsible for poisoning Flint’s water supply? http://america.aljazeera.com/opinions/2015/12/whos-responsible-for-poisoning-flints-water-supply.html

·         Flint’s high lead levels have doctors struggling for answers http://www.wired.com/2016/01/flints-high-lead-levels-have-doctors-struggling-for-answers/ 

·         How to ignore a mass poisoning in America  http://www.salon.com/2016/01/21/how_to_ignore_a_mass_poisoning_in_america_the_flint_water_crisis_outrage_gets_even_worse/

Videos to watch and make notes on

·         The effects of Flint’s lead poisoning disaster http://edition.cnn.com/videos/us/2016/01/22/flint-water-crisis-lead-gupta-dnt-ac.cnn

·         Gov Snyder should be arrested https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UlYD_umAIA

·         Lead poisoning causes violent crime https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHMVULy0pZU