Posts Tagged resources

STEM Tuesday– Cephalopods — Writing Tips & Resources

By on June 17, 2025   /   Cephalopods/Mollusks, STEM Tuesday  

Creativity and Octopuses!

The first of the cephalopods that comes to my mind is an octopus. To me, the metaphor of a multi-limbed being is in the multi-possibilities offered to apply to creative activities. Many arms and many legs and many muscular hydrostats mean that connections can go many ways. As my focus is STE(A)M, I began to run options though my head. I settled on music, research, and visual art (camouflage). Like a cephalopod, these are just three of the connected “arms” in the world of art. I make my case below.

Music and the Octopus.

One of the best known octopus songs is “The Octopus’s Garden,” by Ringo Starr (Richard Starkey) and recorded by the Beatles.

“I’d like to be under the sea
In an octopus’s garden with you”

The cover of Octopus's Garden

The song is full of fun and joy. It is said that Ringo wrote the song after being told that octopuses collect stones and shells to make a decorative garden around their homes. Studies have shown that while we don’t understand their full capacity, octopuses have great intelligence.

Ringo is crediting them with a sense of artistry. Enough artistry to design and build a garden where …

“Oh, what joy for every girl and boy
Knowing they’re happy, and they’re safe”

Musicologist  Alan W. Pollack says:

The charm of “Octopus’s Garden” lies in its simplicity and complete lack of pretension.

Alan W. Pollack is an American musicologist known for having analyzed every song released by the British band the Beatles. Since this STE(A)M post is about science, I was wondering if a musicologist is considered a scientist. While Wikipedia describes it as “the academic, research-based study of music,” it employs of a number of fields of science, including psychology, sociology, acoustics, neurology, natural sciences, formal sciences and computer science.

The Octopus and Reasearch

Back to the idea of octopus as metaphor -it makes a great visual for research. Sometimes called a map or web for exploring possibilities, finding connections through random ideas is a superb tool for creativity. One can imagine the octopus, sitting in their garden, all arms reaching out to explore different places. There are no boundaries to using the mind this way.

Listening to “The Octopus’s Garden,” you find it is more than about a garden. It tells a story, shows emotion, incites curiosity, invites the imagination. Which is what good research should do. Musicology is sometimes considered to be a social science but many aspects, such as acoustics, musical instruments, and sound waves (and more), involve mathematics, materials science, psychology, and the list goes on. It one of many multi-armed disciplines.

In planning projects for kids, music and octopuses are intriguing ways to frame research and creative thinking. The investigation can be about any topic at all.  

Visual art and Octopuses

Octopuses have been the subject of artists since ancient Greece. Shown here is a lithograph from Jean Baptiste Vérany’s Chromolithographs of Cephalopods (1851). There is curiosity about creatures so unlike humans.

A historic lithograph of an octopus.

Members of the shell-less subclass of cephalopods (squid, cuttlefish, and octopuses) have the magic trick of color changing (yes, I know it’s a complicated process – not magic, but it is like magic to me). Some of their cells are capable of producing rapidly changing color patterns to match the surrounding areas or mimic other creatures. What a fascinating ability!

Doing art activities involving camouflage is a great way to improve eye, hand, and perception skills. And a real challenge. One needs to recognize shape, value, and colors to accurately reproduce them. Teachers Pay Teachers (link below) has a number of activities listed on their website. You don’t have to be an art teacher to use art projects as encouragement for students to do in-depth observational studies. With today’s fast-paced imagery of phones and games, people seem to be losing ability to focus. The value of practicing real observation can be time well spent.

Conclusion

Making connections is a large part of the creative process. It may appear this post strayed off topic, but it is an example of allowing the brain to find solutions that are new. Many inventions (such as the printing press) were the result of someone making an odd or unusual connection that ultimately led to a very useful solution. And, like learning to play music or becoming a good athlete, preliminary training paves the way. Anyone can practice connected thinking skills and use them for practical situations. Sometimes when I am doing research, allowing my mind to wander discovers materials better than what I was looking for.

Happy Connecting!

Margo Lemieux

References and more info

The Octopus’s Garden book https://bookshop.org/p/books/octopus-s-garden-with-cd-audio-ringo-starr/10265712?ean=9781481403627&next=t

The Octopus’s Garden video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=De1LCQvbqV4

Alan W. Pollack https://www.icce.rug.nl/~soundscapes/DATABASES/AWP/og.shtml

Teachers Pay Teachers Cephalopods

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/browse?gad_campaignid=20273913093&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwgIXCBhDBARIsAELC9ZiEjEwazcCjEgkVAUxueIxDCn_5mZEzBJuPrZn1OJjIO_wtepaOXSAaAtP5EALw_wcB&search=Cephalopods%20

Teachers Pay Teachers Camouflage

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/browse?search=camouflage

Historic lithographs of cephalopods

https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/verany-cephalopods

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Why Your Teens Need Writing Conferences

By on June 13, 2025   /   Articles, For Teachers  
Neal Shusterman, Margaret Peterson Haddis, Marissa Meyer present on a panel at youth writers conference

Writing Conferences

I had the opportunity to volunteer at a writing conference for teens this year, and it was incredible! I seriously feel like that was an understatement. I hadn’t brought my own kids because I signed up to volunteer last minute and I didn’t realize how amazing it would be. Now I want every school and family to know about these opportunities.

Author speaking to teens at writers conference

Haddix Inspires Young Writers

The conference I attended is called StoryCon, previously known as Teen Author Boot Camp. This is only one of multiple writing conferences for kids in my state (there are also conferences for adults and some specifically for educators). I am willing to bet that there are some in your area as well, so I want to help you find them.

Why Should I Go To a Writers Conference?

  • First off, they are so much fun! The energy there from the speakers, volunteers, and attendees is amazing.
  • Interacting with friends. Whether you bring them with you or make them there. It is always fun to have friends who have an interest in books like you.
  • What’s that you say? You’re not interested in writing? Then this next reason is for you! You may discover some new skills and interests you didn’t know that you had. And even if you aren’t into writing, if you are a reader it is so cool to hear from these amazing authors about how and why they write.
  • Which brings me to my next point. These conferences are so inspiring. Margaret Peterson Haddix is up there in all humility saying things like, “and when you get published, because you will get published…” If we’re speaking honestly, it is hard work to get published, and here we have an author who has really made it in the publishing world, standing up there encouraging YOU! Believing in YOU! These presenters were so motivating that even if you just have a tiny seed of interest in writing, they will help you water and grow that seed into something more.
    Neal Shusterman, Margaret Peterson Haddis, Marissa Meyer present on a panel at youth writers conference

    After the panel presentation teens had the opportunity to ask questions

  • For you teachers who are looking for opportunities for kids to do something good (in addition to maybe the great athletic opportunities offered), this is why you should organize a group from your school to attend a writing event! Can you imagine getting a group of students from your school excited about books! What would that look like to you? How would it feel for you to have made a difference to these kids in developing an interest in writing talents?
  • Develop skills. What if you’re not a writer… yet? That is why you are going to this conference. My friend, we all start somewhere and some of these events will have times for you to start right then and there learning and applying what you are hearing.
  • Meet authors and get some of your books signed! This conference I attended had some incredible names that I already knew and loved. Neal Shusterman. Marissa Meyer. Magaret Peterson Haddix. Shannon Hale. Brandon Mull. Jennifer A. Nielson. Dhonielle Clayton. Janet Sumner Johnson. As well as some that I got to meet and discover a new love for. Kaela Rivera. Frank Cole. Aubrey Hartman. Rena Barron. And so many more.
    Meeting author Jeff Kinney

    Meeting the author of Diary of a Whimpy Kid, Jeff Kinney

  • So get signed up. Sit with your friends (or new friends). Get fired up about writing. Set some practical goals. And then take the energy from the conference and keep it going in your life. Extra advice – come again next year. You don’t want that new little seed to shrivel up and be forgotten. There will be new authors presenting with new things to inspire you with.

How To Find the Best Writers Conference for You

I found out about this conference through a writer friend, but the first and easiest thing to day is to go type this phrase into your favorite search engine: writer’s conference in (add your state). Also check with local universities to see if they have any conferences, camps, events. Sometimes they don’t name them ‘writing conference’ so it can sometimes take some digging. You might try other phrases like: teen writer (switch it to writing), teen writing camp, books for young readers, conference with authors of children’s books (or middle grade or young adult). Another place to ask is your local library, they sometimes know about these events. Or ask your school/school district. These conferences often reach out to school districts to share their information and not all of it gets passed on. I’m going to pick some random cities around the US and do these searches and see what we come up with here:

Clearly this does not cover every state and every option for teens. And there are even more options for educators, librarians, and other adults interested in writing or fostering a love of reading/writing. But hopefully some of these links will get you excited to start your own search of what might be available or your area.

What if I Can’t Afford to Attend a Writers Conference?

There are often scholarships available through the conference itself. You could also check into funding through your school PTA, district offices, or seek out local sponsors. This conference I was at offered a significant discount if you brought of group of 10 or more people. Even if you are just an interested parent you could contact your school to help get a group organized or create a homeschool (or book or writers club) group to qualify for the discount. This event even offered a complimentary educator pass for the teacher accompanying the group of students. Believe me, adults will love attending their own classes or being a part of the contagious spirit of the event.

Next year I am going to this same writers conference, but this time I am taking all three of my kids who are old enough to go. I know there are writers conferences, camps, and events for teens (and others) interested in writing in most states. So you should start taking advantage of some amazing opportunities.

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STEM Tuesday– Cephalopods — In the Classroom

By on June 10, 2025   /   Cephalopods/Mollusks, STEM Tuesday  

 

Oooh, this month’s theme is cephalopods! I’m always amazed but the things octopuses and squids can do—escape aquariums, camouflage in an instant, mesmerize predators with flashing colors, and so much more. I even read that octopuses can sometimes grow a ninth arm when they are injured!

There’s so much to amaze kids too. And while they are not in the classroom right now, here are some activities to get kids thinking about cephalopods and learning more about them!

 

Ink! 100 FUN Facts about Octopuses, Squid, and More by Stephanie Warren Drimmer

You can’t go wrong with National Geographic. This very visual book introduces readers to a variety of squids including cuttlefish that camouflage themselves and octopuses that outsmart their predators. The text is written by experts with first hand experience and includes many fun facts. It’s both educational and entertaining.

Activity: Octopuses and squid are a lot alike in many ways, but they do have some key differences. Use the facts found in this fascinating book to create a game to test players’ knowledge of these different kinds of cephalopods. Use index cards and write a fact on one side. Or print a picture or draw a diagram of a squid or octopus body part. Take turns guessing if the fact or image is that of an octopus or cephalopod. Whomever gets the most correct wins the game!

 

Amazing Octopus: Creature from an Unknown World, written by Michael Stavaric, illustrated by Michele Ganswer

This book takes a unique approach. It explores and views octopuses as otherworldly, almost as aliens. The text and original, black and white illustrations really capture the magic and mystery of these creatures. It introduces this topic by first talking about the evolution of all sea creatures, to provide context.

Activity: What if octopuses DID come from another world? What would that world look like? What would an octopus spaceship look like? Imagine that world and make a list of details about it (their homes, their favorite places to eat, their communities). Imagine their spacecraft, too. How different would it be from our spacecraft? Then make a short comic about these alien octopus astronauts traveling to Earth long ago. Use some free comic panel templates. You can find some here:

 

Giant Squid: Searching for a Sea Monster by Mary M. Cerullo and Clyde F. E. Roper

Part science textbook, part detective story, this Smithsonian book recounts biologist Clyde Roper’s search for a real-life sea monster. Readers will enjoy unearthing clues about the giant squid as they follow along with Roper’s ocean adventures. Cerullo’s text is full of facts and accompanied by a variety of eye-catching images, including both black-and-white illustrations and up-close photographs.

Activity: It’s not easy studying sea creatures and scientists have to be creative with how they study them. One method is to use a Crittercam, a camera described in this book. The scientists used a Crittercam on a sperm whale to try to capture the elusive giant squid on camera. Watch a few videos showing how this is done. It takes many steps and tries to complete successfully. Then write a step-by-step process for attaching a Crittercam to a sperm whale. This is a a good exercise in describing a process in a simple way when writing about a topic. Include diagrams if you’d like and share it with a friend. Ask: Does this make sense? Do you think I left a step out? What is confusing?

Here are some videos to watch:

Karen Latchana Kenney is a children’s author and editor who loves creating all kinds of STEM books and classroom content. Find her at https://www.karenlatchanakenney.com/.

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