Date post: | 13-May-2015 |
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Cultivating Creativity in the
Classroom A Primer for Teachers
Jamie Tubbs,5th grade Teacher
Wyoming city Schools, OHmisterteacher.blogspot.com
www.misterteacher.com
Introduction:TheThe
PencilPencil
TheThe pencilpencil
Without a doubt, the pencil is one of
the most useful items in American classrooms today.
Taking notes…
…solving math problems….
TheThe pencilpencil
…whatever the use, the pencil is one of our students’ best
choices.
TheThe pencilpencil
Unfortunately…
…our students also need the pencil for something
else.
For filling in bubbles on
standardized test answer sheets.
If you teach here,
Then this has become
a fact of life.
You spend the entire school year preparing for “the
test”.
You’d like to teach in a way that will inspire your
students.
But “the test” is always looming.
So instead of this…
…you have this.
I hate the state
test!
Do not despair! There is hope!
TheThe pencilpencil
The pencil has many other
uses.
And quite a few of them have nothing to do with…
…taking notes or solving math problems.
However…
If you allow your students to put
the pencils away,
And let them use the most important tool of all,
Then they can come up with some pretty creative ideas.
Nate’s electric car – a classroom
project
The goal of this presentation is to convince teachers that…
…that they can inspire students while still “teaching to the test”.
Cultivating creativity is the key!
Creativity? Isn’t that reserved for art and music classes?
Well…Here are a couple important points about creativity that you may have never thought
about.
“Creativity is not a separate faculty that
some people have and others do not.” – Ken
Robinson
Photo Source
“Creativity is not exclusive to particular activities;”
Photo Source
“Scientists, technologists, business people, educators, anyone can be creative in the
work they do.” – K.R.– K.R.
That includes all of our students.
You know…
Digital Kids…
The “Net Generation…
A generation becoming ever more difficult to engage in a
traditional classroom environment.
A generation in need of some creative inspiration.
So how does a teacher inspire creativity without giving up
valuable time preparing for the test?
Well…here are a few more
important points about creativity that may answer
that question.
“Creative processes are rooted in imaginative thought, in envisaging new possibilities.” –Ken Robinson
#1
However…
“Whatever the task, creativity is not just an internal mental
process; it involves action. It is applied imagination.” – K.R.
So if students are to be more creative, they must do more
creating.
Creating PVC instruments
helps students learn about
sound
This doesn’t mean that students should work without
constraints.
Timelines, rubrics, & checklists provide structure for student
work.
“Nothing is more dangerous than an idea when it’s the only one you have.” -Roger von Oech
#2#2
Too often, we teach our students to look for the “right
answer”.
Call on me! I
know this one!
To stimulate creativity, we need to teach them to…
“look for the second right answer”.
–Roger von Oech
A simple reframing of the questions we ask will help our kids
to do this.
A simple reframing of the questions we ask will help our kids
to do this.
Change your questions so that they solicit more than one answer.
A simple reframing of the questions we ask will help our kids
to do this.
Change your questions so that they solicit more than one answer.
Change the wording of your questions. Simply replacing one word with a synonym can lead thinking in different directions.
#3
“If you act like an idea person, you will become
one.”
#3
“It is the intention and going through the motions
of being creative that counts.” –Michael Michalko
So to inspire creativity in your students, become creative
yourself.
Ideas are everywhere:
Magazines, books, newspapers, television, nature, popular culture, the Internet, even…
…your trash can.
Madison’s toy boat built from plastic bottles and a battery-
powered circuit
Tips for practicing creativity yourself:
Take up a creative hobby Name your lessons Make your lessons part of a story Incorporate design techniques into your slideshows Keep an idea log
So how does a teacher inspire creativity without giving up
valuable time preparing for the test?
Strategy #1Adapt your test prep lessons so that they have students
doing more creating and less paper/pencil work.
More Less
Strategy #2Generate discussion
questions that require students to think of “the
second right answer”.
Strategy #3Practice being creative
yourself.
Thank you!
Photos from: stock.xchng, Powerpoint clip art, & flickr.com