Modeling

           
      We come across models in all shapes and sizes, as well as many forms.  The use of modeling can display the physical properties or functions of an object, idea, or concept in an accessible form.   Root Bernstein shares that "Modeling requires and therefore teaches us many imaginative skills." (Sparks of Genius. p. 230).  Modeling is an essential tool that allows us to gain a deeper understanding of something that we might not be able to see or easily experience otherwise. Models are shared in many disciplines to creatively provide a representation of an idea or concept to others.

    One of the things we do very often in the elementary grades is the use of modeling.  Teachers can use modeling to provide a simplified representation of a complex topic.  A physical representation, such as groups of blocks, can be provided to explain the concept of multiplication. Students also use models to creatively demonstrate what they understand on a particular concept or topic.  It provides a tangible example of the learning that is taking place..  For example, students can create pictures as a model for understanding of the setting of a story.    Root -Bernstein explains that "Perhaps the most important thing that modeling does is to provide the modeler with complete control of a situation, object, or idea- or conversely, to reveal explicitly where control or understanding is lacking." Sparks of Genius, p. 230.  It is so important to provide many opportunities for modeling in the elementary classroom for both the students and the teacher.

     One of my favorite genres to teach to my elementary students is the fantasy genre.  They have spent so much time while they were young pretending to be wizards, princesses, magicians, and many other characters that we see in fantasy novels.  There is a great quote by Kylen Beers that states   "Youngsters grow up believing in fantasy.  They wish on candles, wait for tooth fairies, talk to their stuffed animals and play with imaginary friends".  Students are now reading fantasy novels that provide a deeper perspective of the fantasy  genre than their original ideas as a young child.  Students will  apply their beliefs and comprehension of fantasy into a tangible model for others to see their understanding.

    Creating a model for the fantasy genre provides an accessible tool that shares the elements that make it a fantasy.  Therefore, just because a story has an evil character doesn't necessarily mean that it is a fantasy story.  It might just be a realistic fiction story of an evil man that stole something and must go to jail.  A fantasy story provides so much more. In particular, the first model represents the elements of good, evil, magic, and special setting to qualify the story as a part of the fantasy genre.
I chose a two dimensional puzzle as my first model of the elements of fantasy.  I like the idea of a puzzle to represent these elements because they all fit together to create the fantasy story.  Each piece of the puzzle is needed in order for the story to be complete.

For the the next example,  I wanted to zoom in on two particular areas of the puzzle, good vs. evil. I presented a three dimensional model of these two areas in a snow globe. The snow globe provides a container for these elements that work with each other.    Providing two characters in a globe will generate much discussion of these elements of fantasy and how they interrelate with each other.   While the use of the other elements are minimally represented (the sparkle for the  magic and the enclosed snow globe as a representation of a special contained place), the discussion of the fantasy elements represented evolves to include the other elements of the story.   The three dimensional model provides another perspective of these elements.  I look forward to students taking turns using this snow globe to model/represent elements in the story.

      The last example  is a model for discussion of the story elements. I have created a story cube for the students to use to guide their literacy group discussions to include each element of their story.  I believe this story cube will be very effective in generating discussion as well as including examples from all elements.  Each  student will be able to roll the cube and participate in the conversation about the particular element of the story.

Embodied Thinking

    Embodied thinking combines movement and balance of the body to connect with the mind.  Root Bernstein states, "This is body imagination at work, when the feel of of muscle movement or physical tension or touch is enacted in order to think and create,". (Sparks of Genius p.162).  Empathy ties into embodied thinking by viewing the situation from another perspective- feeling what they feel. Our body connects to our moods,which exhibits how we feel.    Connecting your mind and body to  a particular topic sparks imagination and creativity.  Root Bernstein states, "Sensations of muscle movement, body feeling and touch act as a powerful tool for imaginative thinking,". (Sparks of Genius, p.164).    When we allow our body to connect with our mind, we are more fluid with a clearer understanding of the task.  We allow objects such as a paintbrush or piano keys to become mere extensions of ourselves when our minds and bodies connect to a particular task.

       The idea of embodied thinking fits in well with the topic of the fantasy genre.  When we read a fantasy novel, we face characters that represent the elements of good, evil, magic, and supernatural powers.  When these elements are present in the story, their thoughts, feelings, actions, and movements represent the character and clearly impact the plot of the story.    As we read the story, we can feel the characters thoughts and motions as we work towards the climax of the story.  Often we will act out a story to gain deeper understanding of the characters as well as the elements of the story. We place ourselves as those characters and mimic their movements and feelings to gain a meaningful connection and understanding of the fantasy.

    I chose to use an example of a supernatural power, as well as an example of magic to represent embodied thinking.   As characters such as Peter Pan and Superman exhibit the power to fly- they both share with other characters how their body and concentration are reflected in that supernatural power.  Balance, control, equilibrium are just a few of the traits that are exhibited through the body and thought as they are flying.  Their body and mind represent balance and focus.   This also ties in with the second example of magic.  Magic demonstrates mystery, power, control, perception and focus to emulate their response over an object or person.    "All people need explicit practice in moving their bodies, manipulating instruments or tools, and gaining awareness of the kinesthetic and proprioceptive responses, " (Sparks of Genius p. 179) .   Students often choose to use their imagination to embody themselves as a character in a fantasy story, whether it be as sweet as a princess or as powerful and determined as a sorcerer.  They will use empathy to feel and act like the characters they are portraying.   Role-playing sparks creativity and imagination.   Connecting our bodies and minds  to the characters and elements allow us to gain a deeper understanding and perspective of the story.