20+ Ideas to Supercharge Classroom Creativity @coolcatteacher

Creativity is something that we have to nurture as teachers. In this blog post and episode, I share some of the ways I believe nurture creativity in students.

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Listen to Vicki Davis share techniques for nurturing creativity in the classroom

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Ideas to Promote Creativity in Your Classroom – Show Notes

1 – Make a Digital Learning Launchpad

Hyperdocs.co
Hyperdoc choice board for typing games

2 – Make a Hyperdoc for App Smashing activities

Gives suggestion of the apps to do
Students can document their learning journey by commenting on squares and coloring in what they’ve done

3 – Create a Learning Library of Books in Your Classroom

By topic
As part of an “Invention Convention” to spur on ideas

4 – Have an “Invention Convention”

Put resources of all kinds out on the table and let children choose things to create and invent with as they work on inventing new things and sharing with their classmates.

5- Create a Library of Maker Materials

Make it easy to tinker and invent with a rich library of resources and materials.

6 – Teach Kids to Use the Tutorials Inside Software Programs

7 – Create Curated Playlists by Topic on YouTube

8 – Label Materials with What They Are and the “Role”

In my film cabinet, I might put “Gaffer” or “Sound Engineer” or “Hair and Makeup Department” or other roles that a professional who would use those materials would play. This helps students understand who would use those materials.

9 – Teach Students “Search Engine Math”

My tutorial with some of the basic principles – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5ldLV9vrCE

10 – Teach Students to Look Up Cool “Hacks” or “Tricks” for the Software They Are Using

11 – Help Students Connect with Mentors: Mentor Film Library

Film those who come teach your class and make a “mentor library” of videos that new students can consult as they join the class in the future.

12 – Create Multi-Age Mentor Experiences

Help students mentor one another on a topic across grade level

13 – Create a Mentor “Slack” Channel

If you use slack, make a “mentor channel” where mentors can help students.

14 – Help Kids Connect with Online Mentors

Teach them to find online mentor resources to help them learn. (Steve Hullfish – Advice from a Filmmaking Pro – episode 462)

15 – Help Students Look for their Giftedness and Interests

Example of “Macrophotography” in show with little people See some ideas on Pinterest for little people projects.

16 – Create Topical Club Activities and Special Interest Times

17 – Issue Challenges and Activities for Students

Sherwood Showstoppers Student News Announcements Channel (mentioned on the show)

18 – Create Special Interest Projects for Students

Bloxels – making your own video game (mentioned on the show)

19 – Expose Students to Kids Doing Cool Things

“Island time” Commercial referenced in the show
“Arrival Scene” is at the beginning of this video as I referenced in the show

20 – Let Students See You Creating Things

Get feedback from students on what you create

21 – Teach Students How to Brainstorm

A 3 Step Process to Brainstorming
Brainstorming: The 7 Dwarves’ Secret
My secret to getting great ideas from students (and getting them past worrying about how cool they look)

Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored podcast episode.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via cash payment, gift, or something else of value to include a reference to their product. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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