1. As teachers it is our job to encourage creativity within
our classrooms. It is my desire that my students should be ever curious and always eager to seek answers and solutions in whatever tasks are set before them. Encouragement is a key factor in my estimation in promoting creativity in the classroom. Students do not always feel confident about the skills being taught and we need to let them know that they are more than capable and well up to the task. I recall a similar situation in my youth. I learned at an early age that my art work did not measure up to the work of children talented in art. My representations were embarrassing at best. Even though I really enjoyed participating in art, I gave up on the notion of ever drawing beyond my stick figures. It was not until years later in Australia when attending teachers college, that an assignment was placed in front of me involving drawing. I cringed at the mere thought of it. However, knowing I had no choice, I jumped in. My stick figures had not improved with time and I didnt know what to do next. There was a drawing in an opened book on my desk. I looked at it and something caught my eye. It was nothing more than the lines used to draw it. The drawing was simple, the lines obvious and I thought to myself could I recreate the picture by following those lines with my eyes and then with pencil in hand transfer it to my paper. To my surprise I did it and havent looked back since. It is a skill I use often in my classroom. I still cannot look at an object and draw it, but if I have a simple picture I can recreate it easily. One of my fondest memories was creating an entire blackboard of dinosaurs, with background scenery including volcanoes and flying pterosaurs. I used colored chalk and it was something to see. The kids loved it and it certainly helped them to remember the dinosaurs discussed in our science lesson. The children insisted in it staying on the board well past the unit of study. During that time other teachers and even the principal came by to see it and marveled at what an artist I was. I always laughed and told them I wasnt, just able to see lines and reproduce them. The point of all this is as teachers, we must help children find different outlets to express their creativity. We must encourage them even when they are unsuccessful and discouraged. One never knows what skills may be hiding just below the surface. I want my students to experience the joy of being able to express themselves creatively in any academic area. It is so rewarding to see and to know that you have played a small part in it. As teachers we must embrace creativity as an integral part of learning. In the past, learning has focused too heavily on convergent thinking. Today if we wish to promote creativity in the classroom, we must encourage are students to be divergent thinkers. Teachers have a myriad of opportunities to incorporate divergent questions and the thinking it entails into their lessons. Doing this is a positive step towards fostering creativity within the classroom. We should remember to always be patient with our students, if we wish to encourage creativity. Give them time to work problems out on their own. Dont be too quick to jump in and provide answers. Let them find the solutions themselves. Always be on the lookout for that child that thinks outside the box, whose questions are more thought provoking. He may be a budding innovator and a creative child. Give him the direction and support needed as well as your heartfelt encouragement and confidence in his abilities. 2. I personally believe creativity is less a God given ability and more something that can be taught and learned. I think we need to expand upon creative skills explicitly, such as imagination, self-motivation, resiliency, collaboration, responsibility, curiosity, confidence. As a teacher endeavoring to teach creativity in a creative way, I would first strive to tie my students emotionally to their learning. I would consider their interests and what is important in their world. I would plan around these interests, drawing them into their learning. Designing a classroom that fosters creativity is another way in which I can open wide the doors of creativity. I could provide space for collaboration, for the use of art interpretation, for dramatic presentations, quiet corners for reflection, and bulletin boards that provide samples of students creative thinking. Exploring different cultures is an interesting avenue for promoting creativity. Using artifacts, from the past or from different cultures, provides a focus and an interest for learning. Endeavoring to foster creativity, I should employ collaboration problem solving at every opportunity and the use of multi-discipline lessons can also be a creative experience for my students. I also believe that incorporating art, music, and culture in my classroom provides an environment that is a wonderful backdrop for creativity. Most importantly, I need to provide a free and open environment where children feel confident in expressing themselves creatively.