Creativity in the Classroom! {Tips, Tools, & Printable Activities}

Did you know that creativity is a skill that can be taught and learned, just like reading and math? Yes, for real!! :-) Through exposure, experience, and practice, creative thinking is a skill anyone can cultivate.

Not only is creative thinking FUN, but it is also important! Divergent thinking increases a student’s desire to learn and supports his/her intellectual development. When we encourage creative thinking, we promote student engagement, motivation, and love for learning.

Creativity can be defined in many ways. A common framework for creative thinking was developed by Paul Torrance, who is often referred to as the “Father of Creativity.” Torrance identified four key features of creativity: fluency, flexibility, originality, and elaboration.

The materials in this packet will look closely at each of the four elements, share tips for nurturing a culture of creativity, and provide ideas, activities, and no-prep printables for you to use with your class.

This resource includes:
• Detailed explanations and implementation ideas
& bull Four 8 ½ x 11 posters (fluency, flexibility, originality, elaboration)
• 17 No-Prep Printable Activities

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Purposefully incorporating creative thinking activities into daily or weekly instruction can:
• Increase students’ interest and motivation
• Improve students’ attitudes towards school
• Nurture effective problem solving skills
• Encourage students to examine multiple perspectives and points of view
• Help students understand familiar things in new and deeper ways
• Promote questioning, curiosity, and innovation
• Foster risk-taking and iteration

Creativity in the Classroom is perfect for:
• Bell Ringers
• Centers/stations
• Anchor activities
• Partner/cooperative group assignments
• Enrichment for fast finishers
• Brain breaks

Check out the preview to see all that is included.

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If you and your students enjoy this resource, you may also like:

• Brain Food! The Original – Printable Activities for Creative Thinking
• Multiplication Mix and Match: Creative Writing Prompts for BIG kids
• Squiggle Stories: Creative Writing Prompts
• Fraction Pattern Block Puzzles: Task Cards & Printables for Critical Thinking
• Math Logic Puzzles: 3-5 BUNDLE!
• Brain Food: THE BUNDLE!

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Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions; I’d love to hear from you!
Christy

© Christy Howe 2014. Materials are intended for personal use in one classroom only. For use in multiple classrooms, please purchase additional licenses.