This is a 'Home Blog' for my Photo students who will soon be embarking on their own quest for 'Signs of Hope' . . . Read about the project in Getting Started: A Little Background

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Sunday, May 10, 2015

Day 8 - Against the Odds

 


It finds a way to grow through the cracks! 

Thursday, May 7, 2015

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Day 6 - Another Sunrise


So much to do and I'm just exhausted.  It's good to take a moment to be in the peace of the early morning! There's light at the beginning of this tunnel!

Monday, May 4, 2015

Day 4 - Where Are They Now?

Faces with bright futures . . . from 45 years ago!
We believed we could change the world.
P.S. Can you find your teacher?

Friday, May 1, 2015

Day 3 - Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow


Looking back, enjoying the present, and looking forward!


Saturday, April 25, 2015

Sample Post

Here's a screenshot of two posts from last year's blog, Focus on the Positive, to give you an idea of what your posts should look like: the TITLE starts with the Day number (the rest of the title is optional), and the day's PHOTO with a CAPTION that relates to the theme.  Also, notice that the blog archive is a chronological list of your posts (I missed Day 12).  *Posts other than assignments must be on a separate page.



Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Getting Started: A Little Background

SIGNS OF HOPE - BLOG PROJECT

> Shawn Achor (TedTalks video) argues that happiness inspires productivity.  Some ideas and information from his talk:
"The lens that shapes your world shapes your reality.  If we can change the lens, not only can we change your happiness, we can change every single outcome at the same time."
"The external world is only about 20% predictive of your happiness."
"What we hear and read about (on the news, etc.) is not an accurate ration of negative-to-positive in the world."
"Happiness produces dopamine.  Dopamine turns on the learning centers of the brain."
"It takes 21 consecutive days of doing something to rewire the brain (create new pathways)."

> BRAIN RESEARCH indicates that being grateful and compassionate active parts of the brain that are associated with CREATIVITY.

> Christine Carter, PhD. states that "Creativity is the next essential literacy - it is among the most desirable traits in the workforce."  She focuses her research on boosting creativity through learning to be happy.  She says that we can boost creativity:
1. Teach kids to be happy:  You can't be innovative during 'flight or fight'.
2. Let kids fail
3. Reduce stress through compassion

> Our grant project pARTnership for the FUTURE emphasizes strength-based learning, where SUCCESS follows a focus on what's right about you and the world, rather than what's 'wrong', building on strengths, and creating an attitude of hopefulness about the future.

Our Blog Project this year is designed to explore these ideas as you discover where you see SIGNS OF HOPE.  Start by asking:
How will this project affect your happiness?
What relationship will you find between hopefulness and happiness?
How will your outlook on the future be affected by looking for signs of hope?
Why do you think the 21-day focus on Signs of Hope might affect your creativity?
What do you think of the ideas expressed Shawn Achor, brain research, Christine Carter, and Strength-based Learning?  Why?

What will you notice about you and 'your world' in a 21-day focus on SIGNS OF HOPE?