Compares and contrasts the early years of the great polymath Henri Poincare (1854-1912) and the icon of 20th-century science, Albert Einstein (1879-1955). Similarities and dissimilarities are discussed in how both men related to their educational systems, and lessons are drawn for identification and support of gifted children. (CR)

Discusses the connection between creativity in the arts and competitions, and shares a sampling of competitions that might entice secondary students to maximize their creative abilities. The benefits of competitions are described; they include the opportunity for students to enhance self-directed learning skills and their sense of autonomy. (CR)

Takes a look at what creativity is and where it goes as people age. Describes six exercises the author has used to spark creativity in middle school and high school students, both in the classroom and on stage. (SR)

Suggests that aspirations to de-school society and empower young people to be independent producers of culture are part of a wider debate. Notes that new partnerships between school and popular culture need to be developed at a number of different levels. (SG)

The predictive validity of original thinking, as measured by two subtests of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, to the performance of real-world creative activities (in such domains as art, drama, sport, music, and dance) was examined in 60 second-graders. Original thinking was significantly related to creative performance but not to…

Draws on a study of 106 personal homepages in order to present a theoretical model of how citizens' potentials as Web publishers are being compromised by the leadership of institutional discourses. Proposes an analogous process of synthetic institutionalization, in which personal homepage publishers affect institutional poses by adapting Norman…

Proposes that electronic learning can potentially reduce and even eliminate the geographical, cultural, and logistical barriers prevalent in traditional delivery of education as long as problems in designing learning activities and distributing instructional materials are taken into account. Discusses creativity, competitive advantages,…

Advocates a new sentimental education that recognizes our migrant condition of double consciousness as a normal outcome of creativity and flexibility that plays between the different languages and cultures. (Author/VWL)

Describes the main lines of research in behavioral creativity and comments on approaches that have concentrated on personality-related or cognitive aspects of creativity or that have studied attempts to stimulate creativity. In recent years there has been an increasing interest in the human capacity for producing new and original ideas in a social…

Charter schools can foster greed or graft more easily than they can become models for what schools should be, and it is not likely that they can change the educational system. However, charter schools can promote creativity and they have the potential for making small impacts that can change the world one child at a time. (SLD)

A study of developmentally matched children with autism (n=9), with Down syndrome (n=9), and typical peers (n=9) investigated play abilities. Although it was possible to distinguish the pattern of play behaviors of children with autism from the other two groups, symbolic play skills were not totally absent. (Author/CR)

Creating towers of balanced stones is a versatile outdoor learning activity that can be experienced in the classroom, school yard, forest, or parking lot. Students discover hidden talents, learn to work and communicate clearly with others, and reconnect with the natural world. Several variations on the exercise are given, along with principles of…

Presents an activity in which students act like real-estate agents who market their planets as a great place to live. Evaluates students on their presentations. (YDS)

Considers how the connection--between teacher and student, art and thinking--establishes art as a means of expression in the literacy classroom. Notes that when drawing is part of the writing and reading process, it can help give ideas for writing and teach skills of observation, skills that encourage reading the world and reading the image. (SG)

Describes how sketch journals are used at various times throughout the day and consistently throughout the year in the author's classroom. Presents a demonstration of the theme of experience and the powerful role that it can play in helping teachers improve. Notes how the author encourages students to reach deeper and to enter their own doorways…