Education isn’t what it could be, and the problem goes beyond finding the right words. Someone needs to demonstrate what is now possible in an actual classroom. Then, we can start to believe in a new vision for our schools and our students.
Hello, my name is Peter Johnson and welcome to my website. I’m a full time teacher and my mission is to bring a whole new approach to education to life. Welcome, I hope you find this site useful, and feel free to connect with me!
~Peter
Teacher resources for a creative classroom:
Meet Mr. Johnson and Innovative Arts
I was frustrated with the lack of creativity and student autonomy in my science classroom.
So, I started Puzzle Shift Create to create the class that I wanted for my own kids – Innovative Arts Class.
The goal of all of this is to reenvision education for students and teachers. We can all use more autonomy and creativity in our schools.
~Peter @ Puzzle Shift Create
I have been developing this concept inside a public middle school classroom for over 6 years. The results have been incredible, and we are just getting started!
How do you teach creativity and autonomy?
We start with the basics of six distinct “creator types.”
Students explore each type, then begin customizing and combining their own projects. Through this process, they:
- Build creative confidence
- Discover how their skills level up
- Experience the power of choice and iteration
Technology supports their journey — helping them create their best work, faster and more effortlessly.
Students don’t need a test
they need a path
We cannot script how a student grows. They walk into every classroom needing wildly different things. I set out to create a class that lets them be who they are, understand that they have enormous potential, and experience creative autonomy. Read about my struggle to do this:
What does ‘Puzzle Shift Create’ mean?
Puzzle
We are all motivated by different things. One-size-fits-all approaches do not allow students to discover what ‘makes them tick.’ It’s a puzzle!
The nature of being an ‘Innovative Arts teacher’ is teaching me so much about this!
Shift
Creative answers to problems are all around us. We can teach students to see them.
Bringing creativity into our schools is worth the effort! We can always shift perspectives and generate new ideas!
Create
School is a whole lot more interesting when our students can bring their strengths and interests to their schoolwork. They can create their own learning environment!
Innovative Arts students can bring fresh approaches to their other classes, work into their strengths, and customize their own learning journeys.
I don’t have a newsletter… I am too busy teaching.
Wouldn’t it be cool to have a space to model what social media is GOOD for?
Version 3 of this site is ready for teachers to help students learn how to build an excellent feed of their work and be a positive voice online. The groups are linked below! Bad new though – I cannot afford the webhosting for this feature to go wide yet. Please use them sparingly and consider becoming a monthly supporter. If it gets disabled, it is because the site is exceeding my limited plan. Sorry but this is out-of-pocket for me.
A small number of supporters would let us upgrade the webhosting ASAP. I think that the lowest plan that might work is only $100 a month.
Spaces for teachers to post awesome things from their classrooms (click to enter)
(Teachers only, the purpose is for modeling social media goodness and joy, use lightly please)
Email me, after creating an account on this site, to get added to the groups so you can post.