1. Creativity: The Spark Dr(s). Jennifer Scrivner and Georgann Toop

2. Creativity and Cultivation “In children creativity is a universal. Among adults it is almost nonexistent. The great question is: What has happened to this enormous and universal human resource? This is the question of the age and quest of our research.” Harold H. Anderson (1959)

3. Definition of Creativity Creativity is the production of an idea or product that is new, original, and satisfying to the creator or to someone else at a particular point in time, even if the idea or product has been previously discovered by someone else or if the idea or product will not be considered new, original, and satisfying at a later time or under different circumstances. Joe Renzulli (1986)

4. Research on Creativity Research has shown that almost all children have the potential to think creatively and that creative production can be improved by providing systematic learning experiences that foster use of imagination. Research has shown that almost all children have the potential to think creatively and that creative production can be improved by providing systematic learning experiences that foster use of imagination.

5. Highly creative persons have generally been found to be above average in intelligence, high intelligence does not necessarily insure high creativity. (Razik 1966) Highly creative persons have generally been found to be above average in intelligence, high intelligence does not necessarily insure high creativity. (Razik 1966) A number of studies have found that children of all ability levels including MI/MO youngsters are capable of creative thinking; thus it seems safe to conclude that all children can benefit from systematic instruction in this area. A number of studies have found that children of all ability levels including MI/MO youngsters are capable of creative thinking; thus it seems safe to conclude that all children can benefit from systematic instruction in this area.

6. Students engaged in systematic creativity training exercises can be expected to increase their capacity for creative thinking in a variety of fields. (Osborn, 1963) Students engaged in systematic creativity training exercises can be expected to increase their capacity for creative thinking in a variety of fields. (Osborn, 1963)

7. Specific Abilities Associated with Creativity Fluency – the ability to generate a ready flow of ideas, possibilities, consequences, and objects Fluency – the ability to generate a ready flow of ideas, possibilities, consequences, and objects Flexibility –the ability to use many different approaches or strategies in solving a problem; the willingness to change direction and modify given information Flexibility –the ability to use many different approaches or strategies in solving a problem; the willingness to change direction and modify given information Originality – the ability to produce clever, unique, and unusual responses Originality – the ability to produce clever, unique, and unusual responses Elaboration – the ability to expand, develop and embellish one’s ideas, stories or illustrations Elaboration – the ability to expand, develop and embellish one’s ideas, stories or illustrations

8. Brainstorming & the Fluency Principle Einstein example……E=MC Einstein example……E=MC Classroom Example: Asked a group of students to list all the utensils that people might use to eat... (common utensils) “Suppose you didn't have any forks or spoons. What could you use?”

9. The Principle of Mild Competition Group competition should be used rather than individual competition Group competition should be used rather than individual competition Grades or other material rewards should never be associated with competitive activities. Students will derive satisfaction from the competitiveness itself and the excitement of winning or trying to win. Grades or other material rewards should never be associated with competitive activities. Students will derive satisfaction from the competitiveness itself and the excitement of winning or trying to win. Teams should continually be rearranged in a way that allows all youngsters an opportunity to be on a winning team. Teams should continually be rearranged in a way that allows all youngsters an opportunity to be on a winning team.

10. Classroom Atmosphere Non-gradness – minimize formal evaluation and lead students in the direction of self-evaluation Non-gradness – minimize formal evaluation and lead students in the direction of self-evaluation Free children from the fear of making mistakes Free children from the fear of making mistakes Should tolerance and respect for children’s ideas Should tolerance and respect for children’s ideas Discourage teasing and laughter at student responses Discourage teasing and laughter at student responses Model laughing at yourself and way out ideas Model laughing at yourself and way out ideas Show generous praise for quantity and unusualness of responses Show generous praise for quantity and unusualness of responses

11. Creativity Crushers Don’t be silly. Don’t be silly. Let’s be serious. Let’s be serious. That’s ridiculous. That’s ridiculous. Quiet down. Quiet down. The principal won’t like it. The principal won’t like it. Let’s be practical Let’s be practical You should know better. You should know better. What is a matter with you? What is a matter with you?

12. That’s childish That’s childish A good idea BUT A good idea BUT It won’t work It won’t work Don’t be so sloppy Don’t be so sloppy That is not our problem. That is not our problem. We’ve tried that before. We’ve tried that before. That’s not part of your assignment. That’s not part of your assignment.

13. Creativity Builders That’s really good; can you think of a few more… That’s really good; can you think of a few more… Let’s see who can come up with five more possible titles for Bill’s picture.. Let’s see who can come up with five more possible titles for Bill’s picture.. Don’t be afraid to make up new words like fantabalous, to show your enthusiasm. Don’t be afraid to make up new words like fantabalous, to show your enthusiasm.

14. “Imagination grows by exercise.” W. Somerset Maugham