Creativity Framework

This area of the website discusses the elements of Creativity and provides resources where applicable to aid in the the different components of the Creative Classroom.

Creativity can be difficult to define - especially if we apply a 'catch-all' definition. Some think of creativity as a product, others a process, and more yet consider it a blend of both. Personally, I believe creativity is more of a state-of-being - something you 'enter'.

There are many philosophies out there, but sometimes it's nice to have something concrete to reference. I prefer to use the approach that Kaufman came up with:

The 4 C's of Creativity

mini-c: Interpretive
little-c: Everday
Big-C: Expert
Pro-C: Legendary

The following examples of the different creativities can are drawn from Kaufman's Fundamentals of Creativy article:

mini-c is interpretive creativity, such as a 2nd grade student's new insight about how to solve a math problem.

little-c is everyday creativity such as a 10th grade

social studies class developing an original project that

combines learning about a key historical event with

gathering local histories from community elders.

Big-C is expert level creativity. For example, the idea

of the flipped classroom pioneered by teachers Aaron

Sams and Jonathan Bergmann.

Pro-C is legendary creativity. For example, Maria Montessori’s new approach to early childhood

education.

Environment

A creative classroom is comfortable, friendly, respectful and safe. It is a place where you can be your authentic self. There are materials and equipment to tryout play around with. Click the image below to open a photo album of different types of creative spaces.

Relationships

A creative classroom is focused on both peer to peer and teacher to student relationships. This requires making time and space for activities that help foster good working relationships.

The Creative Process

Teaching for creativity requires intentionally creating time, space, and activities for each stage of the creative process: Inspiration, Illumination, Incubation, Creation, Evaluation, and Elaboration. Click the image below to access a 'Creativity Idea Bank' of creative concepts that either have been developed or are in development.

The Creative Teacher

The Creative Teacher is someone who:

Is an active participant in the classroom - not the "sage on the stage"
Helps students discover both the questions and the answers
teaches from a place of curiosity and passion
Models a growth mindset

The Creative Student

The Creative Student is someone who:

Collaborates with peers
Reflects on each step of the creative process
Self-evaluates
Helps construct assessment criteria
Employs a growth mindset