K-2 Early Elementary Conference:

Growing Creative Thinkers

~Tools, Techniques & Inspiration to build skills

and develop joyful, successful and imaginative learners

in kindergarten, first and second grade classrooms~

Why should you attend Growing Creative Thinkers?

Participants will discover new ways to inspire students to think creatively, work creatively with others, approach creative questions strategically and implement projects that challenge young learners to communicate, collaborate and innovate.

This conference will not only inspire teachers with early elementary classroom projects that work, but will enable them to implement rich, authentic learning experiences with their own students using the tools, guidance and ideas provided. Teachers will return to their classrooms with dozens of new ways to build creative thinking skills, manage hands-on technology experiences effectively and embrace the Common Core Standards in meaningful ways.

This conference is filled with opportunities to:

·      Explore how young children can safely and creatively craft content for online spaces

·      Learn techniques, methods and ideas for building “Out of the Box” thinking skills

·      Discover a variety of new ways to celebrate student accomplishments and partner with families

·      See how hands-on art explorations connect to all areas of the curriculum

·      Try a variety of technology tools including ipads, laptops and smartboards

·      Share digital resources

Who will be sharing creative ideas and inspiration at the conference?

Dar Hosta is an award winning children’s book author, illustrator and educator who is known for her picture books, presentations on creativity at national educational conferences, and her programs and residencies with elementary schools throughout the country. She is an annual presenter at the International Reading Association, the American Horticultural Society’s Children & Youth Garden Symposium and a member of the Growing Good Kids Book Award Panel. Dar has published over 100 books written and illustrated by children and teachers, and these books can be seen at Blurb.com. She received a BA in creative writing from the University of Missouri, a language arts education certification from Cleveland State University, is currently being certified for Kaizen-Muse creativity coaching, and has been working with children and adults in the arts and education since 1992. Dar draws, paints, make collages, takes photographs and states, “Art is my magic, my work and my play. Art feeds my soul, energizes my intellect and endlessly sparks my curiosity. My work in education continually validates my belief in the power of imagination.”

Jeanne Muzi is the 2009 NJ State Teacher of the Year. She teaches at the Lawrence Township Public Schools in Lawrenceville, NJ. She is the Elementary Enrichment Specialist/Gifted and Talented Teacher for her district and teaches Kindergarten through Third Grade students. She taught first grade for over ten years. In the area of practice, Jeanne’s passion is creating lessons and units that incorporate new media tools, integrate the arts and provide authentic cross-curricular experiences so students see themselves as inventive problem solvers. Jeanne participates in the Pearson Foundation's New Learning Institute’s Model Classroom Program, which strives to create models of real world opportunities for students to develop 21st century skills. As a Model Classroom teacher, Jeanne develops projects and advocates for new approaches to learning and helps other educators adapt projects for their own schools and communities. Jeanne is a member of the Smithsonian Educator Advisory Committee, International Reading Association, ASCD, ISTE, the National Network of State Teachers of the Year and states, “Helping kids grow creative thinking skills is essential to engaging, exciting and guiding our young students to achieve!”

Participants: Kindergarten, First & Second Grade Teachers