Student Success
Critical Thinking and Creativity in the Classroom
Raising the Bar - Critical Thinking
In order to succeed in the real-world, students must be exposed to a learning environment that enables them to not only think for the themselves, but work within a group to answer and raise additional questions with rigor.
Brainstorm
Activate prior knowledge by posing open-ended questions, either through written material, pictures, or videos, to get the students thinking.
Group Work
Bring students together to discuss their individual answers and teach one another. Teacher guides students with abstract help.
Debate
Have students work together to discuss and debate their answers.
Responsible
All students are responsible for their own work by individually documenting their ideas through their own medium.
Allow for Errors
Teacher provides a safe learning environment through positive feedback. If the students get off track. the teacher can steer them back through additional open ended questioning.
Time
Above all else - give the students TIME to think about what has been asked in order to provide a response.
Exploration and Growth through Creativity
Every person has a talent, and when that talent is used effectively, it can open up not only that individual mind but allow others to view something new from a different perspective.
Talents
Each student must find their own talent in order to be successful. Examples may include reading, art, or technology.
Diversity
Give students many little projects for exploration versus one big one.
Tools
Students must have the tools to be able to express themselves. These tools must go beyond crayons and markers!
Risks
Foster an environment that allows for risk-taking and encourage students if they fail.
Groupwork
Enable students to work together in groups and use their individual talents to help the group succeed.
Mediation
Encourage groups to resolve differences, but serve as a mediator when necessary.