Have you read this book? Little Bets by Peter Sims came out this year by Simon and Schuster. Sims studied highly creative people and companies to learn about their innovation and thinking processes, people such as Steve Jobs, Frank Gehry, and Chris Rock, and companies like Pixar. While the book is helpful for business people [...]
CuteMonster for Dads
Recently I was contacted by Vincent Daly, editor of CuteMonster.com, a blog with information and resources to support dads, especially those who are the main caretakers of their children. He wanted to republish on his site my article from Byrdseed.com about using literature to engage primary students. Here’s the link if you’d like to take [...]
Inventing the Future of Education at Ignite
“The simple question “What if . . .” has the power to change our world. Provocative, inspiring and seemingly impossible questions are being asked by today’s scientists, engineers, inventors, and entrepreneurs. “The thrill of discovery, passion for new ideas and optimism for the future helps these innovators overcome the challenges they face as they take [...]
Creative Improv!
In the Creative Improv Summer Spark, taught by Sarah Hodges, students were challenged to venture out of their comfort zone and explore improvisation through acting, dance, music, art, writing, and more. What was best about this class was the willingness of the students to support and nurture each other’s growth through the process of learning [...]
OVKP Article Published in OVN!
Did you see the Wednesday, July 20 edition of the Ojai Valley News? There’s also a photo of OVKP reporters during their tour of the OVN with managing editor Misty Volaski. If not, click the link below to see Jimmy’s article on rockets re-published from the Ojai Valley Kids’ Press in the Ojai Valley News. [...]
Geocaching Experts
Compass directions, latitude and longitude, global positioning systems. These were just a few of the concepts and tools geocaching summer spark students had to use to find the swag tucked and hidden all over Ojai. They participated in games, challenges, hunts, finding buried treasure in the nooks and crannies of Ojai. They then posted coordinates [...]
Ojai Valley Kids’ Press – Precursor to Ignite
Founded in 2008, the third issue of Ojai Valley Kids’ Press was published last Friday after a week of interviewing, writing, and photographing by OVKP reporters enrolled in the Ignite summer session of the same name. Ignite was transformed into a newsroom and students wore their press credentials each day as they learned the ins and outs [...]
Ignite Opens to Preschool and Kindergarten Students
Due to popular demand, Ignite Creative Learning Studio is expanding up and down to serve students of a wider age span. We teamed up with renowned early childhood educator, Georgia Simonds, to hold two “Take-it-Apart” sparklers for 4-, 5-, and 6-year-olds. The classes filled up right away, with the addition of a wait list. Students [...]
Teaching with Literature in the Primary Grades
Originally featured in Byrdseed Gifted June 2011 Issue By and large, we underestimate the learning capabilities of young students, beginning in preschool and extending through second grade. We tend to focus on the basics – alphabet, letters, numbers, individual words, basic shapes – in isolation, forgetting to add the richness of depth and complexity that [...]
Ignite’s Multi-Media Class Meets With Famous Artist/Musician
Here is a small photo journal of our Ignite Multi-Media class in action with their sound installation. Trimpin himself gave our students a personalized tour of Sound Arch, and met with them privately inside their sound booth for a private mini-lecture. Our students were incredibly fortunate to work with this world-famous artist and musician! To [...]
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Through All the Buzz, Creativity is Still King
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- Sparked Back into Action by Sir Ken
- Book Review: Little Bets by Peter Sims
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