Creativity Back Into the Classroom

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Posted on September 18, 2013

“Sometimes you have to create what you want to be part of.” ~ Geri Weitzman

How many of our readers have listened to TED talks? If you get television broadcasts through Roku streaming channels, you can tune in and listen to a large variety of TED talks on all different subjects. Fascinating “ideas worth spreading” are introduced through these presentations.

The other day I listened to an interesting TEDx talk through my computer about the way students learn. Many parents and some educators feel the basic skills-oriented educational subjects of reading, writing and arithmetic (the traditional 3Rs) is failing students, and should be done away with or at least, modified. A good argument for changing traditional educational curriculum in schools is offered on the TEDx presentation called That Immovable Mountain.

The presenter of That Immovable Mountain, Charles W. Scranton poses a thought-worthy question. What if we retooled the way children are learning and the three R’s became “rigor, relevance and relationships?” Learning then becomes an interwoven concept between disciplines “bringing creativity and imaginations back into schools.” Would education become more fulfilling for students? This is the premise of the TEDx talk I listened to.

The Big Picture Movement is an alternative style of learning which is designed to reach the needs of disconnected students. According to www.bigpicture.org, “every 12 seconds a student drops out of school in the United States.” A sad but realistic image of how traditional learning is failing students.

To learn more about how art and creativity is being incorporated into select classrooms, you can listen to a sixteen minute presentation called That Immovable Mountain through this link. http://bit.ly/1a0BySQ. It is not too time consuming, it is approximately 15-16 minutes long.

Join us tomorrow on All Things Fulfilling, where independent thoughts, words and views are all part of the business. This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Uniting People and An Artist

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Posted on September 16, 2013

“In my opinion, the cornerstone of our country is free press – that’s the cornerstone.” ~ Milos Forman

I find it interesting, but not particularly surprising, that the NormanRockwellMuseum has been holding swearing in ceremonies for new U.S. Citizens. “At an art museum?” Some of you might be questioning.

Think about Rockwell’s painting, The Golden Rule. In this image Rockwell captures people of all different faiths and nationalities, who have come to the United States seeking a better way of life. In my opinion, a swearing in ceremony among paintings that depict iconic American life is a good fit.

Personally, I hope that the original painting of The Golden Rule is front and center, next to the American flag, in the area where our newest U.S. citizens pledge their allegiance to our country. The image is a good reminder that if you work hard and conduct yourself with integrity and honesty, you can reap the benefits of our prosperous nation. But you must treat others as you want to be treated yourself – with respect and dignity. Our nation’s pioneers founded the country on these principles, and we should not be a nation of “handouts.”

If you would like to read more about the swearing in ceremonies at the NormanRockwellMuseum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, read this article. http://bit.ly/1dVvgbO. And if you would like to order a giclee print of The Golden Rule, please visit www.art.com.

I am proud to be an American citizen living in a country where independent thoughts, words and views can be aired on sites such as this. But, again, we must respect each others opinions and values because “we are one nation under God” and there is “liberty and justice for all.” We live in a place where the laws of he land must be abided by.

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Film Friday: Romance

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Posted on September 13, 2013

Love never gives up, never loses faith, always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance ~ from the Bible

This Film Friday I thought we would focus on romantic comedies.

Here are a list of twenty of the most popular romance movies from 2012. http://www.movie-moron.com/?p=20914. I am pondering over which one my husband and I might enjoy seeing tonight the most. Will it be The Vow,Click for Info & Ordering Perfect Sense Click here for Info & Ordering, The Lucky One Click Here for Info & Ordering or What to Expect When You Are Expecting Click here for info & ordering or shall it be something else?

Indeed, to survive a long term marriage, humor is important as well as devotion that just doesn’t quit, even if the other person in the relationship might be driving you crazy. And believe me, that happens in holy matrimony.

Today my husband & I celebrate our 33rd wedding anniversary. I ‘m going to share this very short video with my husband, as we sit down to eat our “Eggos” for breakfast. He hasn’t seen it. It’s called My Waffle Wedded Wife. It’s a good way to start the morning! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3E9U3GDrmI

Do Return to All Things Fulfilling on Monday. This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com The place where independent thoughts, words and views are all part of the business.

Writing for the Young Adult Market

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Posted on September 4, 2013

Personality can open doors, but only character can keep them open. ~ Elmer G Letterman

Yesterday I left you hanging. I mentioned radio personality Dom Testa and his work with the Rocky Mountain PBS StoryMakers contest, but I didn’t say much about who he is as a writer.

Dom Testa has found success in reaching the hearts and minds of teenagers through his Galahad Series. Young adults are known to be reluctant readers and it’s no secret teens tend to be fickle, so it takes smarts as a writer to hold the attention of this age group and provide them with fulfilling reading.

Testa won international acclaim as an author when The Comet’s Curse, the first in the Galahad series, won the grand prize from Writer’s Digest Magazine and an EVVY award for the best Young Adult book. His readers wanted more, so books two and three, The Web of Titan and The Cassini Code followed. In a capsule, the story is about a group of teens who must leave home in order to save the planet. As within nearly every crowd, the characters include an athlete, a nosy meddler and the lovesick yearning for attention. To learn more about the characters in the story, please watch this You Tube video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzJaL9Hi-HY.

The Mindbender books, also published by Testa help support the organization he founded The Big Brain Club. In an all new series, Cooper James Mysteries, Testa’s talents have been tested as a sleuth writer. You can follow his latest series on Facebook.

This author/public figure visits classrooms to talk about teen issues, education and attitudes and he also is a popular keynote speaker in corporate settings. For more information on all of Dom Testa’s publications or to book him as a speaker, please visit www.domtesta.com.

Please return tomorrow to All Things Fulfilling. Where independent thoughts, words and views are all part of the business. This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

RMPBS StoryMakers Contest

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Posted on September 3, 2013

“Encourage your kids because you have no idea what they are truly capable of.”
~ Unknown

Parents, it’s that time of year. Author and radio personality Dom Testa is beginning to appear on Rocky Mountain PBS to announce this years StoryMakers contest for children. This year things will be a little different. Aspiring writers in grades 6, 7 and 8 are asked to submit their narratives digitally, rather than on paper.

And remember, as usual, there is no entry fee. Submit your child’s 700 to 1,000 word short story by October 11, 2013 so they can compete in this wonderful chance to become an award-winning author. Three winners and five runners up, in each grade, will have their narratives published on the PBS website. The lucky finalists will be entitled to attend a storytelling workshop and take a tour of the PBS television studios. Kindle Fires are among the prizes awarded. On January 4, 2014, the top contenders will meet and have lunch with radio personality, and founder of the Big Brain Club, Mr. Dom Testa. http://www.bigbrainclub.com/

If your child hasn’t started writing, encourage them. Have them sharpen their pencil or turn on the computer today and get going. There is still about six weeks left – enough time to craft an original tale to be proud of!

Where does your student submit their story? Go this link, and don’t forget to read and follow the contest rules. They are important. http://www.rmpbs.org/storymakers/.

Your student can’t win if you they don’t submit and participate!

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Labors of Today’s Innovators

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Posted on September 2, 2013

“Thou, O God, dost sell us all good things at the price of labor.” ~ Leonardo daVinci

Today, I am going to spare my labors and shift the spot light to an author who has a lot of good things to say in his books about how to think and work creatively. He has written a number of publications that contain fascinating thoughts and concepts. For more information on Michael Gelb’s writings and workshops, please visit his website. http://michaelgelb.com/

Here are a few of Michael Gelb’s titles:

Work Like DaVinci: Gaining the Creative Advantage in Your Business and Career Click for info & ordering

Mind Mapping: How to Liberate Your Natural Genius Click for info & ordering

Innovate Like Edison: The Five-Step System for Breakthrough Business Success Click for info & ordering

Body Learning: Regain your Natural Poise Click for info & ordering

I’ll be back tomorrow with some information for parents about a contest that encourages children to use their creativity by writing a story. There are no entry fees, so every child can participate and use their God-given artistic abilities.

Happy Labor Day, everyone! Find something that fulfills your own sense of fun. I’m going for a bike ride!

This blog brought to you by Sue Batton Leonard, author of Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected. Click for info & ordering Return tomorrow for more independent thoughts, words and views from All Things Fulfilling.

Writing Conflict and Lessons

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Posted on August 26, 2013

Life is a circle. The end of one journey is the beginning of the next.”
― Joseph M. Marshall III, The Journey of Crazy Horse: A Lakota History

I read a marvelous article recently in Poets and Writers Magazine about character development in stories and it got me thinking about real life people. Is it not true that some of the most interesting individuals you have ever met have incredibly complex life journeys?

If every thing in life was smooth, easy and breezy, our personal stories would be boring and there would be little reason for memoir writing. Out of strife and struggle comes personal growth, and by reading tales written by others we meet some very interesting characters who inspire us to become better people.

There is a book I encountered on Goodreads called Keep Going: The Art of Perseverance. This book may be a good resource for writers who are frustrated and disappointed in their progress or at a loss for direction. Sage advice on not giving up is incorporated into this book. Rather than the typical new age jargon, wisdom of the ages from the Lakota Indian is shared through the writings. Click for info & ordering

Author Joseph M Marshall III, a Native American writer, inspires others in his workshops on character and leadership and through his other publications. Please visit his website to learn more about Marshall as a writer and motivational speaker. http://www.josephmarshall.com .

This blog brought to you by Sue Batton Leonard, author of Gift of a Lifetime:Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected.Click for info and ordering See you tomorrow on http://www.AllThingsFulfilling.com. The space where independent thoughts, words and views are all part of the business.

Film Friday: Grace Unplugged

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Posted on August 23, 2013

“In the rhythm of life, sometimes we find ourselves out of tune.” ~ Azgraybebly Josland

Let’s start the morning with a little movie trivia on this Film Friday. Alabama is the setting for Grace Unplugged, a new movie that will be released in theatres on October 4, 2013. Parts of this movie depended on a lot of extras, however, the producers found that Saturday filming made it difficult to recruit the people needed. Why? People were unusually disinterested – it seemed they didn’t care about getting their “mugs” in the shooting of a movie for cinema. That’s because the movie was filmed during football season in a state where the sport is King.

So, what is Grace Unplugged all about? A young musician who has found her audience yet outside of her community of fans, she is undiscovered. In her desire to become a top recording star Grace rejects everything she has ever known and moves to Hollywood in search for stardom. Are there elements in her previous life that will help keep her grounded?

The name of the Director, Brad Silverman, may be familiar from his other movies “No Greater Love” and It Really Happened: The Flight of Apollo 11 (TV documentary short).

Put this film produced by Lionsgate on your list for fulfilling fall movie viewing.

Click here for info & ordering Grace Unplugged
Have a good weekend, everybody.

Return on Monday to All Things Fulfilling. This blog brought to you by author Sue Batton LeonardClick for info on Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected and www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com . The space where independent thoughts, words and views are all part of the business.

An Age Old Question

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Posted on August 21, 2013

If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in. ~Rachel Carson

Before I start today’s blog, I have a special birthday to acknowledge – my husband’s. My partner in life helped create the artist featured in yesterdays blog. As a role model and teacher to our son, he could not have been a more involved father. But then, he was experienced because he has mentored many stellar students. Happy Birthday, Coach!

Across the ages, and across the lands, children have wondered the same things “Who created the universe – the sky, the planets, the stars, human beings?”

The Playdough Poem, by author Sandra Edwards, published by Wine Press Kids, helps to fulfill children’s need to know the answer to these questions. Using a literary work of art along with modeling clay, children can use their tactile skills to make their unique creations that to lead to the children’s understanding of the Universe. This independently published book is used as an art resource and educational activity in Sunday schools, Vacation Bible Schools and with homeschooled Christian families.

This book is written in three languages (English, French and Spanish) all in one publication, to reach multi-cultural communities. As an adult resource, The Playdough Poem is presented at leadership conferences helping teens and older individuals understand one of life’s revelations about creation. Once we arrive at adulthood, it is up to us to create our own lives into something divinely beautiful.

The Playdough Poem is available through iTunes, in paperback, as an e-book and there is even a YouTube video http://bit.ly/16YueHz which helps interested parties determine whether this book is suitable for sharing in certain environments. The book can be ordered from all over the world. For more information, please visit this website. http://bit.ly/1aiem5W.

Please return tomorrow to All Things Fulfilling, where independent thoughts, words and views are all part of the business. This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Artistic and Technical Minds

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Posted on August 20, 2013

Whenever parents with adult children gather, it becomes catch up time. “What is your son or daughter doing these days?” always enters into the conversation. Sometimes this question leaves my husband and me at a loss for words. A pat answer, like “our son is an accountant does not work!” Frequently, we answer “all kinds of things,” because it is the truth and hard to explain it. Only parents with creative adult children seem to understand this.

Our twenty-five year old son is an artist, with technical abilities. These words bring vague connotations because artists have a way of being involved in whatever moves their spirit. Their passions and interests can change frequently, especially if they are multi-media artists.

From now on, perhaps I need to write out on a piece of paper, the link to a website which will clarify his position(s). Here you go, this will explain it. He has his own number.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3786343/ .

It’s very hard to keep track of what our son is doing from day to day, except to say “he is doing a good job of fulfilling his dream and that makes his parents very happy.”

The Artist’s Way for Parents: Raising Creative Children, http://amzn.to/19EfT6U available as an e-book, is a great resource for adults with young children who are showing signs of becoming budding artists. This is a memoir by Julia Cameron.

Today, in this blog about children and the arts, I’d like to share some photographs. Having permission to use these treasured images is a gift to my husband and me. What is contained in the photos makes us very happy. All images are courtesy of Lindele Media http://www.lindelemedia.com/ in New Mexico, and I wish to say “thank you” for letting us use them.

I look forward to Lindele Media’s upcoming movie “The Garden,” set to be released in 2014. There is a trailer to watch on this website. http://bit.ly/UJrK73 and to learn more about the cast and crew, please visit the Internet Movie Database link http://imdb.to/14VZEjZ .

At Work: The Award-Winning Director of “Moses Stuttered” (2012):

Photo courtesy of Lindele Media

Photo Courtesy of Lindele Media

Photo courtesy of Lindele Media

Photo Courtesy of Lindele Media

Photo courtesy of Lindele Media

To Watch Moses Stuttered http://bit.ly/UJrK73

Tomorrow on All Things Fulfilling, our blog will be exploring the creation of each one of us as individuals. This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

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