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Unit 5: Pink
In A Whole New Mind by Daniel H. pink chapter eight: Symphony discusses the
importance of being able to see the big picture. As Pink (2006) describes it:
Symphony is the ability to put together the pieces. It is the capacity to synthesize rather
than to analyze; to see relationships between seemingly unrelated fields; to detect broad
patterns rather than deliver specific answers; and to invent something new by combining
element nobody else thought to pair (p. 130).
This kind of thinking is done with the left side of the brain, which unfortunately over the
years has not been substantially credit by educational academies or business due to the
importance stressed to enhance and grow on right brain thinking. Symphonic thinking is
more and more important in todays technological world because it is this ability that
computers are incapable of preforming. Having this ability does not only create job security
but also is the next step mankind's enlightenment. Left brain thinking is a key tool in the
most successful entrepreneurs and inventors(Pink, 2006, p.134-144). It can be honed in by
doing things such as drawing, listening to great symphonies, keeping a metaphor log, and
paying attention to negative space(Pink, 2006, p.149-157).
Towards the end of the chapter Pink gave many examples of how to build on left
brain thinking that I would use in the classroom. In addition to using her ideas to hon in on
enhancing students abilities I think I would like to expand on her idea of an inspirational
board. I would however create a rubric of things it needed to include such as assignments
from all of their classes, representations of extracurricular activities, and culture. As a final
assignment I would have them pick a big idea and then create a visual story using and
linked everything on their board with the big idea along with them having to write a short

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synthesizes that explained the visual story. I feel like this could be done with children in
grades 4th through 12th. For younger students I would allow a certain number of things on
there bulletin board to not be used if they were really struggling on how to make a
connection between it and the big idea. For older students I may have them combine
inspiration boards and work in groups, or not allow the same big idea to be covered more
than once in a class.

Refrences
Daniel H. pink (2006). Symphony. A Whole New Mind