Curated OER
Design an Island
Learners make a map of an imaginary island using the topographic symbols provided from a worksheet. Students place lakes, dwellins, reefs, etc. in areas where they would logically be located from understanding how the topography of an...
Curated OER
Sense of Wonder, Part 1
Students engage in an activity by using a leading question. They increase awareness for the wonders that are part of the real world. This is based upon personal observations that students make.
Curated OER
10 Huh?
Students use powers of ten to make reasonable estimations for list of questions. They share their problem solving techniques with the class.
Curated OER
Grammar Galore: Word Search
In this word search worksheet, students search for 54 descriptive words. Many of the words are used commonly, but a few are not.
Curated OER
Paper Sculpture Habitats
Students develop skills in sculpture. They acknowledge that sculpture can be made in a variety of ways. Students encounter different ways paper can be manipulated. They gain experience in collaboration.
Curated OER
Letter from the Chateau
Students write a friendly letter based on their observations of a painting by Poussin.
Curated OER
Interrelationships Within the Marine Community
Fourth graders create an electronic story showing the interrelationship of species within the marine environment. They utilize the educational software, 'Destination Ocean' during this engaging lesson.
Curated OER
Illustrated Letters
Students role play the role of a famous artist living during the 1800s. They write a letter to their friend explaining the impact of this artist on others. In groups, they read primary source documents to examine life during the 1800s.
Other
Medium: Why Every Kindergarten and First Grade School Day Should Begin With...
This article was written to validate and be a voice for like-minded educators and families who want their children to have more time during the school day for inquiry and imaginative play. This article includes a list of articles, blogs,...
Other
Creativity Web: Resources for Creativity and Innovation
Containing links to many resources to various aspects of creativity, this site can help spark your own imagination for how to implement creative thinking in your own classroom.
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!
Goshen College
Eleven Classroom Creativity Killers
Something for every art educator to read and consider. Bartel outlines 9 things that most teachers do in the classroom that potentially kill their student's creativity.
Sesame Street
Sesame Street: Creativity and the Arts
Advice for parents of preschool-age children, but pertinent to anyone interested in early child development, for using the arts to prepare children for school success.
Scholastic
Scholastic: How to Promote Creative Thinking
As teachers, we play an important role in supporting children's ability in art, dramatic expression, and creative responses to problems. Creative power increases a young child's desire to learn and supports intellectual development. This...
British Library
British Library: Playtimes: A Century of Children's Games and Rhymes
Enjoy the creativity and thrill of children's play throughout the 20th century. Singing games, rhymes, jokes, and fantasy play; watch footage and read documentation of the influence of politics, the environment and culture on imaginative...
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mit: Scratch: Imagine, Program, Share
Scratch is a programming language developed for students ages 8 and up. Students can use this free download to create your own interactive stories, animations, games, music, and art -- and share your creations on the web. This...
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: The Neuroscience of Imagination
How does your brain produce an image of something you've never seen? Andrey Vyshedskiy details the neuroscience of imagination. [4:49]
Other
Teach Preschool: Discovering Imagination With Chalk
The book "Chalk" by Bill Thompson is a book that inspires imagination within the students and the teacher. This lesson is one way to inspire imagination using this book in your classroom.
Other
Atlas Mission: 7 Creative Development Activities for Preschoolers to Inspire
Children are born creative. However, these pint-sized artists need a little guidance to channel all that creativity into something productive. This article lists 7 super fun creative development activities for preschoolers to help...
Other
Atlas Mission: 7 Kindergarten Creative Thinking Activities That Are Fun for Kids
With so much emphasis put on classwork, common core curriculum, and even homework, creative thinking can get pushed to the bottom of the barrel for kids, even kindergarteners. Here are 7 activities to inspire creativity.
NPR: National Public Radio
Npr: Intersections: Inspiration and Creativity
Where does artistic inspiration come from? A series on NPR about the influence of artists on other artists helps to answer the question. Inspiration and creativity are shown to flow from an intense study of work of others.
Other
Texas Child Care Quarterly: Promoting Imagination in Preschool Classrooms
Imagination is one of the most important ingredients of a creative mind. Because imagination is at its peak in early childhood, educators can continually cultivate it among preschoolers. By allowing children to experiment with life...
Other
Beanz: Imagine: Build a Car
One thing programmers do all day is imagine. When someone asks them to solve a problem with code, they start thinking and dreaming.
Louisiana Department of Education
Louisiana Doe: Louisiana Believes: English Language Arts: Grade 5: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
Fifth graders learn that even in the most fantastical settings, literature can teach us real lessons about life. Students explore the opposition of good and evil; the value in courage, adventure, forgiveness, and honesty; and the...