Issue #17 - July 2, 2025.

Hi there, .

Sometimes, the most powerful insights are sitting right in front of us. We just need to look a little closer.

Hidden in Plain Sight (a strategy inspired by Eric Booth's Habits of Mind of Creative Engagement), helps students practice observation, metaphor, and meaning-making by turning ordinary objects into symbols of something much deeper.

This Week's Strategy: Hidden in Plain Sight

1. Look Closely
   Ask students to scan the room and find something they think no one else will notice—a tiny crack in the wall, a blinking light, a pencil on the floor, a frayed backpack strap.

2. Make It Mean Something

   They write down:

        * What the object is

        * Why they chose it

        * What it could represent metaphorically
   
   For example: A blinking light might represent someone trying to stay positive but struggling beneath the surface.

3. Turn and Talk
   Have students turn to a partner and share their three items. Then discuss: What did they notice? What surprised them? What other connections can they make?
   

Alternatives:

📝 Turn it into a class poem: each student contributes one object-metaphor line
📸 Take photos of the objects and create a “visual metaphor gallery”
🧠 Use it as a reflective exit ticket: What did you see today that changed how you think?

Why This Works:

• Sharpens observation and interpretation skills

• Builds metaphorical thinking and empathy

• Works as a warm-up, creative writing prompt, or SEL check-in
  

• Naturally integrates visual and literary arts
  

Ways to Make Connections:

You can use this strategy to enhance:

• ELA – Use as a prewriting spark for poetry or character analysis.

• Social Studies – Find metaphors for historical movements or cultural shifts.

• Science – Represent systems, resilience, or adaptation through everyday objects.

• Math – Use metaphor to reflect on problem-solving processes or mathematical mindsets.

• Visual Arts – Sketch the object and its metaphor side-by-side.

• Music – Match the object to a musical tone or emotion and explain the pairing.

Happy creating and connecting,

Susan