"Do not be discouraged by what you do not know —

but be encouraged by what you can learn."

Being creative and motivating students is keeping your mind open to something new or making a twist to something old.

What does a creative classroom look like, sound like, feel like, smell like…?

A creative classroom can dramatically affect students’ ability to learn. A creative classroom is organized, stimulating, and comfortable. Creating this environment means arranging the physical setting for learning environments/pods/centers/stations. These pods need diverse materials and supplies. The students also need to be responsible for maintance and arrangement of these environments.

The easiest way to get this started in your classroom is to ask the students to help. Ask them what centers they would like to establish. Let the students define the behaviors that are appropriate for each center and post procedures for them. Remember to take into account the physical features of your classroom (example: keep computers facing away from windows to keep off glare). Save space by using walls for posters, display shelves, and books. Lofts (even in upper grades) save space while creating spots for independent activities. An area for reflection/reading with bean bag chairs or cushions can provide a creative and comfortable atmosphere.

Learning Environment suggestions:

• Reading Area: this is a place for students to read independently or quietly with a partner. It should provide comfortable seating, a variety of books, and a quiet, secluded atmosphere.
• Cross-Curricular Center: this is an active center where students explore relationships across different curricula, including literature, science, social studies, art, and math.
• Computer Station: this area is for computer use in writing, math, reading, keyboard practice, research, telecommunications, and creative games.
• Communication Area/Post Office/General Store: this area has mail slots for students and teacher to exchange written messages and suggestions. It also has paper, pencils, journals, tissue, or any other material that is needed for class.

An article by Kim Stewart refers to  Multiple Intelligences Learning Centers/Stations:

Language Arts:

Station #1: Students listen to CD’s of nature sounds and write sensory poems.

Station #2 Students create greeting cards that contain poems.

Station #3 Students listen to a sound effect CD and write poetry that contains onomatopoeia.

Station #4 Students learn about meter and read poetry to the beat of a metronome.

Station #5 Students draw illustrations that depict their interpretations of a poem.

Station #6 Students write poetry using magnetic words on cookie sheets.Station #7 Students write concrete poetry.

Weather Stations:

Station #1 Students watch videos about weather phenomenon and take notes on graphic organizers.

Station #2 Students write and videotape a television weather report, complete with weather maps.

Station #3 Students write a newspaper story about an incident involving severe weather.

Station #4 Students create a brochure about weather safety.

Station #5 Students create a children’s picture/storybook that explains weather facts in simple language.

Social Studies- Civil Rights Movement:

Station #1 Students take notes on bookmarked Internet sites.

Station #2 Students write poetry about illustrations that evoke strong emotions.

Station #3 Students listen to music from the time period and write what the lyrics mean to them.

Station #4 Students pretend they were present at an event, such as the March on

Washington and they write letters or journal entries about the experience.

Station #5 Students read the “I Have a Dream Speech,” and illustrate it with a mind map or collage.

Station #6 Students create venn diagrams that compare Martin Luther King and another great leader.

Creative Curriculum through Games & Project-Based Learning

 http://www.irondale.org/gguide/cg.htm

 A truly creative teacher forms partnerships with students, with everyone seeking learning adventures where discoveries and insights await…Creative teachers break boundaries - Ray Lund

Additional Resources to get you started:

DisneyHAND - Learning - Creative Classroom

 Crayola Creativity Central

The Creative Classroom

 Creative Drama Lesson Plans

Virtual School House

 The Project Approach

 GoCreate.com

 SuperKids Games of Logic and Reasoning

 Gateway to Educational Materials

 The Learning Page.
Lateral Thinking Puzzles
LessonPlanz

P.S.

Saw this baby on my dock this morning

This Bank of Standards Based Lessons is designed to help PreK - 12 educators increase student learning specifically in science. It has the capability of preparing students to demonstrate their knowledge and skills both on standardized testing and in daily learning. The lessons are divided by grade levels for easy teacher access. Each Grade Level Matrix indicates which science standards are addressed, gives key words, identifies other content areas integrated in the lesson, the lesson title and whether it is a unit or individual lesson. All lessons follow the same format. Lessons include learner objectives, suggested grade level, subject areas taught, timeline, background information, materials, step-by-step lesson execution, extensions, evaluation and resources.  http://www.sciencestandardslessons.org/index.php

These pages are full of Snacks...but they're not the kind you eat. They're the kind you can learn from and have fun with. Exploratorium Science Snacks are miniature versions of some of the most popular exhibits at the Exploratorium.  http://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/snackintro.html

 SEGway develops educational resources through several NASA-supported projects. These resources range from web-based lessons to hands-on, inquiry based-lessons for grades K-12. All resources are developed to align with the National Science Education Standards and Project 2061 Benchmarks for Science Literacy.

http://cse.ssl.berkeley.edu/SEGway/educators_resources.html

Views of the Solar System

http://www.solarviews.com/

Discovery School- Goes with United Streaming

http://school.discovery.com/lessonplans/programs/earthssurface/