Creativity In School
vs. underachievement
Approaching a need, a task, or an idea from a new perspective
To practice Creativity, I will: 
- use my talents for good
- see things from more than one perspective
- use principles to solve problems
- be a lifelong learner
- try new approaches
“Unleash Your Creativity” in Education
by Ralph Brueggemann, guest contributor
Einstein once famously said, “Creativity is intelligence having fun.” His purpose was to raise our understanding of how we can combine our intellect and imagination. Einstein valued the ability to think creatively as a fundamental aspect of intelligence; he suggested that it’s not merely about following the status quo, established rules, or formulas but rather about being open minded, exploring new possibilities and enjoying the process of discovery.
Creativity is increasingly important because we need solutions to problems that we have never experienced before; we cannot solve today’s problems with yesterday’s thinking. Imagine how we can even be creative about how to be creative. Rather than changing school curriculums, instead we can create classroom climates conducive to fostering creativity by adopting the learning principles of Montessori education in every course. All teachers can enhance students’ creativity by fostering a supportive and inclusive classroom climate by focusing on self-directed learning, exploration, experimentation, and divergent thinking.
Educators can build creativity capability not only by adopting the Montessori principles but also by refuting myths about creativity.
- Myth #1: Not everyone can be creative.
Everyone can be creative. It is not just the Nobel prize winners who are creative. It is the rest of use, the everyday people who together by taking responsibility for learning about creativity, can have the significant impact, - Myth #2: Process kills creativity.
A process can provide structure, guardrails to clarify goals (timeline, resources available, and desired outcomes) yet leave the “how” open. The capacity to direct one’s own work through Montessori principles enables teams to share responsibility, self-organize, generate ideas, and collaborate. - Myth #3: Pay drives creativity.
It is not money; it is the passion to fulfill a purpose that is a fundamental human need.
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This article is based on the HBR article titled “Your Employees Have All the Creativity You Need. Let Them Prove It.”
Ralph Brueggemann is an Adjunct Professor at the College of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Cincinnati with a focus on interdisciplinary innovation. Co-author of a book on innovation and entrepreneurship.
The Links below will take you to Resources you can use in the classroom or in homeschool
to teach the Character Quality of Creativity.
Need to build community in your classroom? Try these team building activities!
Shamrock Shuffle
Arrange the participants in chairs in a circle with one less chair than people. Larger groups may need multiple circles. Have the person without a chair stand in the middle. They are to call out a sentence that describes him or herself. Examples: People wearing a red...
Our other Pillars have resources that can be used in an educational setting or for education professionals.
Visit Creativity in Business>>
Teambuilding
Power Up with Character
Interview Questions
Adult Business Books
Visit Creativity in the Community>>
Quotes
Character All Month Calendar
Related Qualities
Character Holiday Activities
Family Activity (with a printable for sending home to parents)
Visit Creativity in Faith>>
Christian Family Activity
Bible Verses
Christian Poster
Prayer and Reflections
Archived Resources