Teaching Creative Thinking

Introduction
Creative Thinking
Is essential for success in learning and success in life
Involves a range of skills that can be promoted across
the curriculum
Can be integrated in all areas of life

Teaching Creative Thinking

Introduction
What is Creative Thinking?
Ability
Attitude
Process

Teaching Creative Thinking

What is Creative Thinking?

Creative thinking is the creation
or generation of ideas, processes,
experiences, or objects.

Teaching Creative Thinking

What is Creative Thinking?

To be creative means to
see the world

Teaching Creative Thinking

What is Creative Thinking?

and to see the world in
a way that is different
from others.
Thinking in this manner
leads to innovation.

Teaching Creative Thinking

Rationale for Creative Thinking

Many of the skills necessary in the workforce
require the ability to think creatively and the
ability to use creative problem solving.
Creativity is essential in today's world.
Students must be provided creative thinking
opportunities if they are to become
innovative leaders of tomorrow.

Teaching Creative Thinking

What promotes creativity?

Encouragement of ideas that show imagination
and originality
Questioning classroom
Use of new or different approaches and solutions
to problems
Evaluation of new ideas and actions

Teaching Creative Thinking

Four Elements of Creative Thinking

Fluency

Flexibility

Elaboration

Originality

Guidelines
Brainstorming

Think-Time

Teaching Creative Thinking

Review
Fluency
The ability to generate
many ideas, solutions,
or possibilities

Flexibility
Generating a wide range of ideas
or a variety of possibilities
Seeing things from different
points of view or perspectives

Teaching Creative Thinking

Example of Fluency and Flexibility

How might students demonstrate their learning?
1. Compose a fact sheet
2. Write a poem
3. Give a speech
4. Have a panel discussion
5. Write and perform a song

Teaching Creative Thinking

Elaboration
The ability to use
words, images,
and actions to
enhance meaning

Teaching Creative Thinking

Elaboration
Example:
Name things that are red.
nose and cheeks
Your nose and cheeks can
turn red as an apple when
you go outside on a
cold winter day.

Teaching Creative Thinking

Elaboration
Examples:
Name things that stick.
How can you improve
your presentation?

Teaching Creative Thinking

Elaboration
Example:
Name things that stick.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

masking tape
duct tape
cellophane tape
glue
thumb tack
thorn
pencil lead
food
nickname

Teaching Creative Thinking

Elaboration
Example:
How can you improve
your presentation?
1. Incorporate sound effects
2. Add video clips
3. Video your presentation
4. Involve the audience
5. Use a rubric

Teaching Creative Thinking

Elaboration Questioning Stems

Discuss the solution and
its benefits.
What details can you
add to __?
Select one of your
ideas and explain how
you would implement
that idea.

Teaching Creative Thinking

Originality
Refers to ideas that
are unique, unusual,
or innovative

Teaching Creative Thinking

Originality
Usually comes at the
end of brainstorming

Teaching Creative Thinking

Originality
Examples:
Name things that stick.
Brainstorm new ways
to use a pencil.

Teaching Creative Thinking

Originality
Example:
Name things that stick.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

masking tape
duct tape
cellophane tape
glue
thumb tack
thorn
pencil lead
food
nickname

Teaching Creative Thinking

Originality
Example:
Brainstorm new ways to use a pencil.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

pointer
art work
counters
picture frame
a giants toothpick

Teaching Creative Thinking

Originality Questioning Stems

Describe ___ from the ___
point of view.
How would you revise ___?
Design a riddle about ___.

Teaching Creative Thinking

Fluency, Flexibility, Elaboration, and Originality

Practice Example:
Name things that fly.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

hawk
robin
bluebird
butterfly
wasp

6. airplane
7. car
8. speedboat
9. motorcycle
10. time

Teaching Creative Thinking

Evaluative Criteria for Originality

Find something that is
different in your eyes.
Select something that
does fly, yet it does
not fly through the air.
Select the one item that
is the most unusual
to you.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

hawk
robin
bluebird
butterfly
wasp
airplane
car
speedboat
motorcycle
time

Teaching Creative Thinking

What is Creative Thinking?

Creative
Thinking

Critical
Thinking

is the creation or
generation of ideas,
processes, experiences,
or objects

is concerned
with evaluation

Teaching Creative Thinking

Benefits of Creative Thinking

Engages students in learning
Equips students with skills to face the future
Increases levels of self-esteem and motivation
in students

Teaching Creative Thinking

Critical Thinking Resource

Creative Thinking
Brainstorming
Questioning Stems
Fluency
Flexibility
Originality
Elaboration
Six Thinking Hats

Critical/Creative
Thinking Strategies

Teaching Creative Thinking

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