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