Creativity in Education

Sample

1 • Knowledge and creativity are equally important, and we should not emphasize one by sacrificing the other. Knowledge involves facts and skills which are essential, but creativity allows us to do original things with our knowledge. If I had to emphasize one, I would choose creativity since it is more important than facts and figures that will be forgotten.

• Weknowknowledgeisimportanttoourintellectualgrowth.However,inmostcases,

knowledge will go out of date and will need to be updated from time to time. So in education, it’s more important to show students the way to obtain knowledge than knowledge itself. Equipped with ways to gain knowledge, we are able to update our knowledge all the time. As for creativity, of course, it’s important. We can safely say that without creativity there would be no modern world. Anything new is the product of creativity. So schools should emphasize both knowledge and creativity.

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2 • Reduce the amount of memory work. Memorizing things does not encourage thinking.

If students are required to memorize facts and numbers, they are encouraged not to solve problems in an original way, but just to obtain or give back information.

• Give homework that tests students’ ideas and theories rather than piles of work that require them to repeat or model themselves on what their teachers do in class.

• Stopthinkingthatchildrenarestupidandthattheymustalwaysbetoldwhattodoand

how to do something. Instead, provide students with opportunities to think for themselves and observe the world on their own.

• Offermoreclassesonartandmusic.

• Leavestudentsmoretimesothattheycangooutandobservenature.

• Letstudentsbeteachersfromtimetotime.

• Providemorechancesforstudentstovisitexhibitionsandhavediscussions.

PART 4 Translation and Writing

2 Translation Practice

1 一个具有独创性的人没有难题，只有发挥独创性的机会。——多里·勒特格 2 我一直在做力所不能及的事，那是为了学会如何去做。——巴勃罗·毕加索 3 存在是为了改变，改变是为了成长，成长是为了不断创造自我。——亨利·伯格森 4 想要创造性地生活，我们必须不再害怕犯错。——约瑟夫·奇尔顿·皮尔斯 5 创造性就是发明、试验、成长、冒险、犯规、犯错和游戏。——玛丽·卢·库克

6 我总想着创新。我的未来始于每天清晨睡梦初醒之时。每天我都在自己的生活中找一些富有创造性 的事情来做。——迈尔斯·戴维斯

3 Writing

Sample 1

Success has often been linked to creativity. However, more and more evidence proves that education seems to discourage creativity in students. First, students should be allowed time for imagination. Strange drawings and foolish questions should also be allowed, for they can sometimes lead to creativity.

Don’t look down on children’s tricks and games. Play is an important step on the road to the success of the greatest scientists and artists. According to research on the human brain, the two halves of the human brain do different kinds of work. The left half manages tasks related to logical reasoning and language skills. The right half controls things such as drawing, music, imagination, and even dreams.

Praising good ideas and encouraging unusual points of view are important ways to encourage

61 Creativity

creative thinking. It might be good to let the right half of the brain do exercises. So encourage studentstothinkinimagesandtoexpressthemselvesinsimpledrawings.Besides,lettingstudents

do imaginative assignments like making up stories and encouraging them to daydream when they are free are also effective ways to develop their creativity.

Sample 2

First of all, students should be encouraged to have as much hands-on experience as possible. If a student is interested in machines, let him or her make car models, for example. If a student likes clothes, he or she should have the opportunity to sew a garment for himself or herself. We can also encourage students to design something they have never seen before. In brief, they should be encouraged to use their imagination and knowledge to do whatever they can and whatever they like.

Of course, when they encounter difficulties and need help, there should be someone available for themtogoto.Butitdoesn’tmeanthateverythingshouldbedoneforthem.Insteadoftellingthem

the answer right away, they should be encouraged to solve the problem themselves. When they manage to solve the problem, they will gain more confidence and will be more willing to rely on themselves for solutions in the future. In this way students will become more and more creative.

At the same time, students should read, think and discuss with others. This process will enable them to gain inspiration from other people. For example, they can read about famous inventors and examples of creativity. In addition, students should be allowed to have foolish ideas or make mistakes. This will help create a good atmosphere for creative thinking.

63 Athletes

Useful Information

Throughout history, sports have played an important role in society. We can hardly overestimate the meaning of sports in our lives. Not only have sports served as a pleasurable way of ensuring the physical fitness of citizens of all ages, sports have also been a source of entertainment for both the players and the spectators. In short, sports make our bodies strong, quicken our reactions and even sharpen our wits.

Different countries favor different sports. Factors such as tradition, climate and cost influence the types of sports that are played by both amateur and professional athletes in various countries.

Contrary to winter sports like ice hockey (^冰球) and downhill skiing (^高山滑雪), table tennis, badminton and fishing, for example, do not require expensive equipment or sports facilities.

Television has increased the popularity of sports like football, basketball, tennis and golf. Millions of people all over the world watch live broadcasts of the Olympic Games and the World Cup, for example. Star athletes become the topic of conversation, and serve as role models because of their courage and determination. The record-breaking accomplishments of many athletes are inspirational examples of men and women challenging the limits of human endeavor. Although their performances have been enhanced by improvements in sporting equipment and training methods, these sports stars usually deserve the glory and fame they receive.

However, many educators feel that too much emphasis has been placed on the development of professional athletes. Physical education teachers often stress the importance of competitive sports for all young people, not just a select few of the excellent ones. They point out that sports help channel energy in a positive way and contribute to the development of determination and self-discipline. All boys and girls, irrespective of their athletic abilities, should be able to benefit from the competitive sports.

Athletes

Unit 5

64 Unit 5

PART 1 Preparation