Learning Links
Designs / Inventions / Think Tanks / Technology / Advertising / Brainstroming / Creative Arts / Humor / Toys/Games / Theatre Sets/Costumes / Theatres
Demonstrators should be read from bottom to top, but need not be demonstrated sequentially.
Elementary Demonstrators
• Generate a variety of ideas and products.
• Expand and analyze ideas and products.
• Create a new solution or idea.
Middle School Demonstrators
• Generate, expand, and analyze ideas and products.
• Create a new solution/idea/product.
• Assess newly generated solutions/ideas/products to test validity and utility.
High School Demonstrators
• Generate, expand, analyze, and create ideas and products using a variety of resources.
• Assess newly generated solutions/ideas/products to test validity and utility.
• Analyze the process used to develop the newly generated solutions/ideas/products.
Sample Teaching/Assessment Strategies
Collaborative Process: Cooperative Learning / Continuous Progress Assessment: Portfolio Development, Performance Events/Exhibitions, Observation / Graphic Organizers: Graphic Representations, Mapping/Webbing, Storyboard / Problem Solving: Research, Creative Problem Solving, Future Problem Solving, Debate, Formulating Models, Role-play, Simulation, Brainstorming / Technology/Tools: Manipulatives, Computers, Interactive Video, Multimedia, Videotaping / Whole L anguage Approach / Writing Process
These sample strategies offer ideas and are not meant to limit teacher resourcefulness. More strategies are found in the resource section.
Ideas for Incorporating Community Resources
• Invite local inventors to discuss their approaches to inventions.
• Invite a local artist, craftsperson, or graphic designer to discuss the creative process.
• Participate in Odyssey of the Mind, science fairs, Imagination Celebration, or Invent America.
• Interview local writers to learn how they generate ideas.
Core Concept - Creative Thinking
Sample Elementary Activities
• Create a mobile or sculpture using recyclable products. PE
• Create a suggestion box for school issues. Select the most novel and constructive. Plan a campaign to implement the suggestion. PE, OE, P
• Explore products made in your community; analyze how these impact the community; propose ways to improve the product. PE, OE
Sample Middle School Activities
• Brainstorm ideas and generate low cost, efficient proposals to increase the community's access to exercise activities. PE, OE, P
• Create a moving sculpture to represent an idea. PE, OE
• Design a print or video advertisement for your favorite book or song. PE, OE
Sample High School Activities
• Use MIDI interface, graphics, hypermedia sound, or art tools to create images and ideas. PE
• Develop and implement hands-on approaches to teach science concepts to elementary students. PE, OE, P
• Develop and present for a school-based council a "state of the school" address which focuses on an aspect of the school's programs. Include suggestions for new programs or revisions for old ones. PE, OE, P