4 Steps To Building Creativity In Students

Class is in session. The students are hustling in, bags are put away, and everyone is seated. It's another day of class and...attention is already fading as students prepare to do the same exact things they did yesterday, the day before that, and the day before that.

Clearly, it can be difficult to keep focus and motivation in the class when there is no change, variety, and creativity. The less interesting and creative a class is, the less likely students are to learn and grow. This is why it's important to build a creatively open classroom for students to engage, interact, fail, and succeed.

Here are four ways to make a creative classroom that will teach students techniques and skills that will take them far beyond their education.

Switch up the layout

Environments can feel stale and redundant if we're always sitting in the same seat and looking at the same surroundings. Most classrooms don't change student seating enough and keep the desks in simple rows or clusters.

Make the effort to switch up the layout of your classroom and its desks. If there is a day of class discussion, students can face each other in a circle. If students are working in groups, change the clusters to ensure students work with others they haven't before. The changes in place and interaction can refresh students' minds, making them feel more creative and open to taking on different, challenging tasks.

Give journal time

Reflecting and jotting down notes and ideas can be beneficial for many reasons, creativity being one of them. When we write down our ideas, we are able to expand on them until we find one we like the best and can consider using. Writing is also a safe, nonjudgmental way to share ideas that students may be too shy to share out loud.

Have students begin or end the day with journaling. They can answer specific questions, such as "What went right and wrong about the project today?" Or, they can write freely about anything they wish. Students can even doodle ideas if writing is something they are reluctant to do.

Change the routine

It is true that routine is good for children when it comes to organization, following rules, and expecting rewards. This is true in the classroom as well - children should know what is allowed and what will bring them success. However, this does not mean that the schedule and activities should look the exact same every day!

Changing the routine can simply mean making sure there is enough creative, unique curriculum. Other ways to change the routine are to ask for student input, so they can have ownership of what they choose to do and how to do it. You can also plan field trips, introduce interactive technology, and ensure students are trying something new regularly. This will keep their creative juices and excitement flowing throughout the year.

Stay active

It is no secret that kids hate sitting still in a chair for long periods of time. And doing this can actually really hinder their success as they may get antsy, restless, and eventually lose focus. However, if students are able to get up to stretch, move, and be as active as possible, they'll be a lot more willing to work harder and use their creative muscles.

Teachers can come up with creative ways to get students out of their chairs, walking around, and utilizing all parts of the classroom for projects and assignments (and maybe even the outdoors). If kids find out that learning doesn't mean they can't explore and move around, they may be a lot more interested in what's going on in the classroom. This will lead to a happier, more creative environment for all involved.