A Call to Creativity: Writing, Reading, and Inspiring Students in an Age of Standardization (Language and Literacy Series)

“This book puts wheels on high ideals in a way that can move us toward the kind of education our students deserve and our best teachers desire.”—Parker J. Palmer, bestselling author“This book sounds a hopeful note in the current era of teaching. . . . It shows us we can still be passionate and practical, creative and collaborative at a time when too many feel it is impossible.”—From the Foreword by Jim Burke, author of The English Teacher’s Companion“I can’t think of a more important topic or a more inspired treatment of it than this book. I’m not just recommending this book, I can’t wait to teach it and use it myself. Bravo, Luke Reynolds! Viva, Creativity!”—Jeffrey D. Wilhelm, Boise State University, author of “You Gotta Be The Book”, Second Edition“Every chapter in A Call to Creativity is a real gem! Using humor and his gift as a storyteller, Luke Reynolds shows teachers not only how creativity can be woven through standards-based curricula, but why it is essential to do so.”—Christine Sleeter, professor emerita, California State University, Monterey Bay, co-editor of Teaching with Vision“Luke Reynolds provides a purposeful framework to help teachers transform the fundamental elements of contemporary practice into classroom experiences that awaken students’ creativity, passion, and energy.”—Sam Intrator, professor of education and the program in urban studies, Smith College “This marvelous new book by Luke Reynolds shows how passionate teaching is lit by soul and vulnerability, knowledge of self on the part of the teacher, and a willingness to explore what can really happen in a classroom if you challenge students to engage their muscular and creative minds.”—Kirsten Olson, Institute for Democratic Education in America (IDEA), author of Wounded by SchoolIn this age of standardization, many English teachers are unsure about how to incorporate creative writing and thinking into their classroom. In a fresh new voice, Luke Reynolds emphasizes that “creativity in our lives as teachers and in the lives of our students is one of our most vital needs in the 21st century.” Based on his own journey as an English teacher, A Call to Creativity is a practical guide that shows teachers how they can encourage and support students’ creativity in the English/language arts classroom. The book offers both the inspiration and practical steps teachers need to engage their students through a variety of hands-on projects and worksheets that can be used immediately to insert creativity into any standards-based curriculum. Book Features:--Adaptable projects tested in diverse school environments. --Guiding questions at the end of each chapter. --Lesson plans for creative writing assignments. --Over 30 pages of worksheets and sample assignments.Luke Reynolds has taught 7th- through 12th-grade English in Massachusetts and Connecticut public schools, as well as composition at Northern Arizona University. He is co-editor of the bestselling book Burned In: Fueling the Fire to Teach.