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Creative Encounter: Part Two of Two

© Janice Gudeman

Janice Gudeman's book is deserving of this exposure. Not only is the book ingenuous with many intriguing questions to ponder and apply to our lives but also because she has a unique way in helping the student see that there is genius in all of us if we only take the time to explore our ability to create. The following are brief excerpts from her book, Creative Encounters with Creative Poeple.

George Washington Carver

"Life requires thorough preparation," stated Dr. George Washington Carver. He taught his students to learn to respect themselves and others to be the best thaty could be. Dr. Carver had many talents. Early in his childhood, he learned to cook, wash, clean, iron, knit, and crochet. He did outstanding work in his college courses of botany, chemistry, zoology, bacteriology, geology, and entomology. He was skilled with his hands, and he was a remarkable artist, pianist, and vocalist.

Discussion Lesson:

What new skill would you like to develop?

What are some ways to show respect for people?

Brainstorm:

What are all the ways that you can think of to move a heavy object?

Dr. Carver did not have the necessary equipment for this agricultural laboratory, so he devised his own.

What common objects would you use to make science equipment?

A Creative Drama: Gene Getz

"Learning to control what we say, in some respects, is like learning to ski. Beginners always stumble and fall. There is no other way to learn. But as you're learning, you discover how to control yourself. You learn to control the mountain rather than allowing the mountain to control you. But with each step of progress, you tend to regress often to a prone position until you have mastered the next level of difficulty. In fact, if you're not falling you're not progressing."

Pantomine the following scene: You desperately want to learn to ski. You have signed up for lessons. You try and try , but you just can't seem to catch on. After falling time after time, you're ready to give up and admit defeat, but suddenly something clicks! You find yourself sailing down the slope with a feeling of exhilaration and a sense of pride. You did it! You learned to ski, may not perfectly, but you're on your way!

How many times has our sense of "bad timing" kept us from going on with a difficult, seemingly impossible task? We give up just before we are to experience our moment of splendid accomplishment. This book is full of life-changing exercises that will change your paradigm. We learn to try harder, we learn to see our potential, we are led through experiences that we might never have given ourselves permission to even dream about. This book has a place in every classroom, regardless of grade level, regardless of subject matter.