Creativity....food for thought!

What is Creativity?

Creativity is the ability to invent or imagine something new. It is the ability to generate new ideas by changing, combining or reapplying existing ideas. Some creative ideas are brilliant, while others are just simple, practical ideas that no one has thought of yet. Often all that's needed to be creative is to make a commitment to creativity and to take the time to focus on this. Go on.....take some time!

Creativity is also linked to attitude. You need to foster the ability to accept change and newness, to play with ideas and possibilities and have a flexible outlook. Enjoy the moment but wonder at how you can improve things. The creative person realizes that there are other possibilities, like walnut and vegemite sandwiches or fold up gumboots. (speaking of rain!!!!!)

Creative people know that there is always room for improvements and that creativity involves a continual process. Creative people make gradual alterations to refine to their ideas. Creativity involves looking constantly for ways to change, even if only slightly, to improve the outcome.

There are so many applications for education. Working now in Learning and Support, I am constantly weaving the creativity I have acquired through working in the field of visual arts for 9 years, into my current teaching practice.

Endless possibilities......

Fantastic shopfronts in Camden Town, London

One of my favourite places to visit in London is Camden Town, a short tube ride north of the city centre. There are amazing markets and some fantastic street art. These images of shopfronts would provide endless possibilities for Visual Arts lessons. Students could design their own shopfront which reflects their interests and vision. Possibilities are endless!

Vivid Sydney time again!

Great way to inspire and engage your students would be to display images from Vivid Sydney in your classroom....perfect links for Science and Visual Arts! This is a wonderful initiative and well worth a visit.

How do we promote critical and creative thinking?

Some thoughts on how to teach children critical and creative thinking........

Firstly I believe you need to expect this type of thinking. Ask the students to defend their ideas and opinions. They need to justify and support with evidence how they have arrived at their conclusion and why they consider it correct. 
Secondly critical thinking needs to be clearly modelled. Show the students how to think critically and creatively. Demonstrate how to think about alternative answers and then arrive at the answer most likely considered correct. Learning activities should have clear expectations for students to develop critical and creative thought.
Thirdly, when a students thinks critically and creatively, this need to be acknowledged and rewarded. When good thinking occurs, draw attention to the student that generated it and encourage others to think in this way.

Now...this has got me thinking!!!!!

Australian environments from aerial perspective

Love this idea which is one of mine. Looking at Australian environments from an aerial perspective, students combine photographic images with mixed media in their collaborative artwork. I used decorated papers (with pastel and dye), straw, wool and pipe cleaners.

Australian coastline: make your own collage papers

This activity needs to be done in two stages. First lesson is to make the collage papers to represent the sand, sea, sky, rocks and greenery in the sand dunes. Demonstrate the brush techniques to create textures: broad, smooth for the sky, layered, flowing for the sea, dabbing for the sand, twisting for the rocks and short vertical strokes for the greenery in the sand dunes. Once dry, these can be collaged and assorted mixed media materials added for a wonderful finished artwork. Inexpensive and no need to purchase expensive specialty papers! 

Aboriginal Salt Pan Designs

Inspired by the book "Why I Love Australia" by Bronwyn Bancroft, students can make wonderful designs after viewing her depiction of the Australian inland salt pans. I suggest a pencil sketch first then outlined in permanent marker. Encourage the students to take risks when applying water colour to let the colours mix together to create a unique effect. This book is great to make meaningful links between literature and art. I have used this book in my visual art programs from Kindergarten through to Year 6 with impressive outcomes.