Creativity

Creativity. Creativity is characterized as a higher order thinking skill. In schools, we often talk about “getting” students to reach these higher order skills. I find that rather interesting being that as young children we all spent time imagining and creating. Why do we suddenly feel as though students need so much support in creating? It has been my experience that if children are given the time and space they are amazing creators without any adult input.

My personal connection to creativity as an educator dates back 30 years to my undergraduate coursework.  I vividly remember a class called Creativity in the Classroom. This class was different from my other classes. It was engaging, fun and felt right. We spent a significant amount of time talking about and designing lessons that provided time for students to create. Create something from nothing….... When you think about creating it really is an empowering activity. Prior to the action you take the story, piece of art, wood or metal project, new recipe etc., didn’t exist. Creating something from nothing is a powerful and confidence building experience that leads to a strong sense of accomplishment!

What I’ve noticed over the years I have spent in education is that with the additional pressures placed on districts and more specifically teachers, to ensure that all children reach proficiency, we no longer allow time or space for creation. We have become hyper focused on the reproduction of skills and tasks that demonstrate proficiency of a predetermined set of standards that must be attained by all.

It’s widely recognized that creativity is an essential skill necessary for success in the 21st century. How do school and district leaders shift the focus in our schools so our teachers are empowered to allow time for students to create?