Other
Encouraging Creative Thinking With Awareness Questions
Often times getting your students to think creatively is as simple as asking the right kinds of questions. This excellent article discusses the types of questions to ask and provides valuable insight into the creative thinking process.
Other
Techniques for Creative Thinking: Yes, They Work
A nice article that explains some of the processes that can aid in the creative thinking process. Some of the processes explained include analogical thinking, brainstorming and attribute listing.
Other
Critical and Creative Thinking Bloom's Taxonomy
A simple site that gives concise definitions to critical thinking and creative thinking. Included are links to more resources about these thinking processes.
Other
Improve Your Creative Thinking by Drawing Mind Maps
One way to help your creative process is to use mind maps. This article provides information about mind mapping and how it can help you discover new connections you may otherwise never have seen.
Other
Creative Thinking With Buckminster Fuller
Buckminster Fuller was a very successful and creative genius. Learn the strategies and techniques he used to foster his creativity and learn how to apply them to yourself.
Other
Creative Thinking With Fake i.d.
Jumpstart your creative thinking by using the idea of choosing a fake identity for yourself. Taking on a new persona can help free your mind to think in a whole different way.
PBS
Pbs: Flexible Thinking: How to Encourage Kids to Go With the Flow
Kids who are able to think about a problem in a new way engage in flexible thinking, while kids who get stuck in their ways tend to engage in rigid thinking. Flexible thinking skills can be practiced at home and at school. Try a few of...
Other
Creating Minds: Age and Creativity
According to this article, when we are young we have our greatest creative potential. As we grow older our creativity declines. Discussed here is how to stay creative as we get older.
Other
Bright Horizons: Nurturing Creativity & Imagination for Child Development
Imagination is critical in child development. Find tips to help nurture and encourage creativity in your kids!
Other
What Can I Do to Increase My Creativity?
This author introduces some ideas that can help you increase your own creativity. Most of the information is philosophical in content but can help you to think more productively about the creative process.
Mind Tools
Mind Tools: Creativity Tools
There are two different styles of creativity, technical and artistic. This article focuses on technical creativity and its two main strands, programmed thinking and lateral thinking, with examples of each approach.
Mind Tools
Mind Tools: Generating New Ideas: Think Differently and Spark Creativity
Need a fresh idea? Many students and teachers often can get stuck in a rut and their creative juices simply stop flowing. Help generate new ideas by learning how to break thought processes, connect the unconnected, shift your...
Goshen College
Goshen College: Teaching Creativity
A comprehensive article about creative critical thinking written by an art teacher for art teachers.
Goshen College
How to Write a Test for Both Creativity and Knowledge
An excellent article providing many good ideas for how to write tests that encourage creativity and knowledge.
Other
Rand Corp.: Gifts of the Muse: Reframing Debate About Benefits of the Arts [Pdf]
With schools cutting costs, often times arts educators must justify why what they teach is important. This study in pdf format addresses many of the positive outcomes of arts education for students. Many of the benefits relate to 21st...
Other
What Is Brainstorming?
Brainstorming can be a helpful tool during the creative thinking process. Learn the origins of brainstorming, what it isn't and the general guidelines associated with this technique.
Scholastic
Scholastic: Problem Solving in Action
Toddlers imitate what they see, preschoolers try hands-on trial and error, and kindergartners tap language and abstract thinking skills to solve problems. This article takes a look at the ages and stages of developing problems solving...
Other
Odyssey of the Mind Curriculum Activity: My Robot and Me
In this activity students are asked to come up with ways a robot could help them. They are then required to write a humorous story about that robot and present it to the class. This activity encourages students to be creative while also...
Duke University
Duke University: Myths, Legends, and Creativity
Resource dispels the myths often associated with creativity and counterbalances them with the reality of what creative behaviors are. (Published June 30, 2006)
Mind Tools
Mind Tools: Reverse Brainstorming: A Different Approach to Brainstorming
Reverse brainstorming is a creative way to explore critical thinking strategies. Learn how it works and read applicable examples to build a creative mind.
Other
Odyssey of the Mind Curriculum Activity: Made Up Math
An interesting way to make math more creative. This page gives ideas for three different exercises that encourage students to use math in a creative way.
Other
Saving the Economy Through Arts Education
It is the belief of this article that by supporting arts education the future economy can be saved. This is because the arts foster 21st century skills necessary for a growing economy.
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Benjamin Franklin: An Extraordinary Life (Teacher's Guide)
Go directly to the teaching resource that accompanies the PBS series "Benjamin Franklin: An Extraordinary Life, An Electric Mind" to find eight lesson plans that support the study of Benjamin Franklin and his place in history. Lessons...
Writing Fix
Writing Fix: Unique Imaginary Friends
The writer will first create an original imaginary friend, inspired by Ted from Tony DiTerlizzi's wonderful picture book. The writer will then think of an ordinary activity done on a daily basis, like feeding the family dog. The writer...