Presentation done by Olena Galas the English teacher school №1 of Talne

Creativity is often cited as one of the 21 st century skills we need to be teaching students. Historically, creativity has been seen as a tortured and mystical process, the province of geniuses, artists and eccentrics. Now, creativity is recognised as a practical skill, one which can be taught and which everyone can achieve. It is a way of thinking in which we use our imagination to explore new possibilities.

Pupils who are encouraged to think creatively: become more interested in discovering things for themselves are more open to new ideas and challenges are more able to solve problems can work well with others become more effective learners have greater ownership over their learning.

Analytic concept is typically considered to be critical thinking ability. A person with this skill analyzes and evaluates ideas. Synthetic concept is the ability to generate novel and interesting ideas. Practical concept is the ability to translate theory into practice and abstract ideas into practical accomplishments.

use imagination generate questions, ideas and outcomes experiment with alternatives be original expand on what students know or say exercise students judgement

1. Model creativity 2. Build self-efficacy 3. Question assumptions 4. Define and redefine problems 5. Encourage idea generation 6. Cross-fertilize. 7. Allow time for creative thinking 8. Instruct and assess creatively 9. Reward creative ideas and products 10. Encourage sensible risks

11. Allow mistakes 12. Teach self-responsibility 13. Encourage creative collaboration 14. Find excitement 15. Seek stimulating environments 16. Play to strengths

Creativity begins with generating ideas, speculating and creating new associations. As a warm-up or focusing activity play ‘Connect’. Ask a student to suggest a word. You say a word that is related to that word eg if the word is ‘football’ you might say ‘goal’. The next child then says a word connected with the previous word eg ‘goal’, ‘net’ and so on. Players take turns. They are allowed thinking time, but can be challenged by any other player to explain the connection between their word and the previous word.

This activity encourages children to develop ideas that are original and have a purpose, which is to improve or add value to something. It encourages children to ask themselves the creative question: ‘How can this be improved?’ Show a box that contains an unfamiliar or interesting ‘mystery object’ (or a picture of an object). Without showing or saying what it is, describe the object’s appearance (or ask a child to). Ask children to try to visualize what is described, to hypothesis what it might be and then ask questions to try to identify the object. The child who identifies the object must also describe it. Show the object and ask children to reflect on the description given and their ability to visualize it. Discuss what it was made for, and its possible uses. Ask for suggestions of how it might be improved. Encourage creative suggestions.

Questions for stimulating creative ideas about any topic, grouped under the mnemonic CREATE: Children could select or be given one object to study with a partner C ombine : Can you add something else to it? Can you combine purposes, ideas? R earrange: Can parts of it be moved or changed? E liminate : What could you remove or replace – in part or whole? Can it be simplified? A dapt: Can it be adapted? What else is this like? What ideas does it suggest? T ry another use: Can it be put to other uses – or given a new use if you changed one part? E xtend: What could be added - words, pictures, symbols, functions, decoration, logos?

Adding the concept of creative teaching has benefits for teachers, for learners, as well as for schools. For learners, creative teaching helps learners develop their capacities for original ideas and for creative thinking. It also improves the quality of the experiences learners receive and can help learners develop increased levels of motivation and even self-esteem. For the teacher it provides a source of ongoing professional renewal and satisfaction.

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