Find The Time For Creativity
I’ve been thinking about creativity. More specifically, I’ve been thinking about the opportunities (or lack of) we provide students to flex their creativity at school. The truth still seems to be that in most classes, creativity tends to be relegated to "free time" at the end of the week. During this time, students are given the opportunity to engage in art projects, creative writing, or other forms of creative expression. This is great of course - every kid loves to end the week having fun at school doing something they enjoy doing. While this time can be valuable, it's not enough. We need to incorporate the values and learning benefits of creativity throughout the week during core instructional time.
The irony, of course, is that we talk about it all the time. Go to any education conference and frankly its all you’ll hear about. For good reason too. We know how important it is for students to practice creative thinking. For example, it can improve problem-solving skills, increase motivation, and enhance cognitive development. These benefits are not limited to "free time" but can be achieved through intentional integration into core instructional time. So why are we waiting until 2:30 on Friday?
The problem with only allowing creativity during "free time" is that it reinforces the idea that creativity is not as important as other subjects. Students may feel that they're not learning anything during these periods, which can lead to disengagement or a lack of enthusiasm. Moreover, these periods may not provide enough time for students to truly engage in creative work.
To address these limitations, we need to find ways to incorporate creativity into core instructional time. One strategy is to integrate creative thinking exercises into lesson plans. For example, a science lesson on the water cycle could be followed by a creative writing exercise where students imagine themselves as a water droplet going through the cycle. Another strategy is to provide opportunities for student choice and autonomy. For example, students could be given the option to choose a topic for a research project, or to present their findings in a creative format of their choice (such as a video or a podcast).
“it can improve problem-solving skills, increase motivation, and enhance cognitive development. These benefits are not limited to “free time” but can be achieved through intentional integration into core instructional time. So why are we waiting until 2:30 on Friday?”
In order to make creativity a regular part of the curriculum, it's important to plan for it and allocate time for it. This means making time in the schedule for creative work, and intentionally designing lesson plans to include creativity. By doing so, we can help students develop the skills and dispositions they need to be successful in the 21st century.
Creativity is not just a nice-to-have; it's a critical part of education. By incorporating creativity into core instructional time, we can help students develop the skills and mindset they need to succeed. Let's make creativity a regular part of the curriculum and give our students the tools they need to be creative problem-solvers and innovators. Here’s 5 ideas to get you started:
Project-based learning: In math class, students could create a project that involves designing and building a bridge or a rollercoaster using concepts like angles, geometry, and physics. In science class, they could design and conduct experiments to test hypotheses, and then present their findings in a creative way using posters or multimedia presentations. In language class, students could create a short film or animation based on a story or poem they have read, or write and perform a play in the target language. In social studies class, students could design and build a model of a city or historical monument, and present their work to the class (use Minecraft for this, TRUST ME).
Game-based learning: In math class, students could design and create their own math games, which could involve solving problems using critical thinking skills. In science class, students could play a game that simulates the immune system and learn about how it works. In language class, students could play games like "charades" or "pictionary" to practice vocabulary or grammar concepts. In social studies class, students could play a game that simulates the decision-making process of historical figures, and learn about their motivations and actions. There are a TON of lessons, aligned to standards at both education.minecraft.net and the Unreal Engine lesson plan portal (including some of my own!)
Creativity challenges: Teachers could provide students with creativity challenges related to the topic being studied. For example, in math class, students could be challenged to come up with as many different ways as possible to solve a particular problem, or to create a new formula or equation. In science class, students could be challenged to design a new invention that solves a problem they have identified. In language class, students could be challenged to create a new word or phrase that doesn't exist yet in the language they're learning. In social studies class, students could be challenged to create a new flag or symbol that represents a particular group or nation.
Art and design: Students could be encouraged to express their understanding of a concept through art and design. For example, in math class, students could create geometric designs using rulers and compasses, or create art that uses symmetry and reflection. In science class, students could create diagrams and illustrations that explain complex concepts or processes, or create 3D models of cells or other structures. This would be a great time to dust off those 3D printers! In language class, students could create visual representations of vocabulary words, or design posters or book covers that represent a literary work. In social studies class, students could create maps or infographics that represent data or historical events.
Creative writing: Students could use creative writing to explore and express their understanding of a topic. For example, in math class, students could write a story that uses math concepts to create plot points or character traits. In science class, students could write science fiction or fantasy stories that incorporate scientific concepts. In language class, students could write poetry or short stories that use new vocabulary words or grammar structures. In social studies class, students could write historical fiction or memoirs that put them in the shoes of historical figures or ordinary people during a particular time period.
I hope some of these ideas help. There’s nothing better than capturing the moment when a student has a spark of creativity, and is given the time and means to show it. We just need more of those moments.