#5thchat is for people interested in chatting about topics in education, especially as they relate to Grade 5. The goal is to connect people who enjoy learning & sharing, plus supporting & creating partnerships worldwide!
Hi everyone! I'm Paul Solarz, a 5th grade teacher from Arlington Heights, Illinois.
My 3 words that describe how I feel when asked to be creative are: pressure, fun, and new.
#5thchat
A1- creative thinking is like a neatly wrapped present- You have to open up and find what is hiding inside.
creative thinking is like a big boulder- It can seem like a road block but there are ways around it #5thchat
A1 - Creative thinking is similar to the image of a lake.
Challenge: "Get from one side of the lake to the other."
Some might take a boat that travels around the jutting land, while others might just walk over the land from one side to the other. Both correct!
#5thchat
A2 Students leading out in academic discussion, kids struggling with difficult tasks that require much thought, the Teacher stepping back and letting Ss lead the way #5thchat
A2. I see Ss who are allowed to the resources they have to complete a learning target or task. Its s not all the kids completing the same task. They are able to gather what they need to show their learning in their own way. #5thchat
A2 you see multiple perspectives. Evidence of student connections in some form. Love padlet or docs for that. Lots of reflection, collaboration and movement #5thchat
Ss trying different approaches and ideas; a variety of options for expression; Ts trying new ideas along side Ss- no fear of failure- just possibility #5thchat
A2 - In order for "Creative Thinking" to take place, students need to feel that they are safe, be provided enough time to think and create, and be provided learning experiences that value creative thought. Some styles of teaching don't lend themselves to this. #5thchat
A2 T feedback moves the student thinking forward and critical questions scaffold the learner/Learning in the classroom to the highest levels of blooms #5thchat
A2: I had a S last yr that knew if he looked at something and asked an academic question, that I would let him go find the answer. Someone almost always tagged along. #5thchat
A2 I would see ss empowered by a room full of tools. It would sound energetic & excited. It would feel like the night before a performance w/a buzz of excitement, nervousness, focus. It would be a room lead by ss, not content or data. #5thchat
A3 visible thinking protocols .step inside, connect-extend-challenge, 1-3-6, jigsaw, see-think-wonder, all of those get students to connect and share their voice #5thchat
A3- Provide more choice, more student led activities- Today's creative prompt- solving a big problem we've been having in class that has left me very frustrated- turned it to Ss - let them brainstorm- their answers so much more creative (and feasible) than mine! #5thchat
A3 Thinking Maps get our thoughts into an organizational structure. Moving beyond the map to authentic writing and projects get students to think outside the box #5thchat
A3 ss are born to think creatively. I just try & get out of the way more. I try & make lessons that deal w/questions/problems that transcend all disciplines. If ss don’t engage their creative mind, what can we do to create better conditions for creativity to shine? #5thchat
A2. I think Ss would be excited to share creative ideas and thinking along with discussions in the classroom lead by Ss. Ss designing their proj., creating and inventing new things, designing diff. things w/ tech.#5thchat
A3: For the last year and a half, I’ve taught K-5 STEM. I love showing my older Ss what my younger Ss have designed/built. It sets the bar high. It also shows them that age doesn’t matter. I then share there “awe” with the younger kids, which builds their confidence. #5thchat
A3 - I teach (& we practice) divergent & convergent thinking, brainstorming, problem-solving...
We participate in simulations where students "become" characters terraforming Mars, solving crimes using chemistry & finding solutions to problems along the Oregon Trail.
#5thchat
A3. Having Ss use open-ended questions when seeking information, having circle discussions about different topic and experiments, allowing for Ss to teach other Ss how to do things and share learning. #5thchat
#5thchat why do you think questions drive every conversation. Kids must know their WHY. We must make Learning relevant for them. If kids understand why what they are learning is important- they will remember.
A4: I'm going to borrow a color my Ss used for this thinking structure today-- Purple. Our class is like purple because sometimes sometimes it can lean to red-purple when we are energetic and it can also a bluer shade of purple when we are calm and reflective #5thchat
#5thchat Q5 My class symbol is 💡. We are the Luminaries. 😊My class is given a name to live up to every year. This class definitely understands what it take to be a luminary.
A5 - This symbol represents our classroom well. Together we are strongest. We work as a team and as a family to ensure we all succeed. Collaboration & Leadership are our core responsibilities. #5thchat
A5 the sign on my door is something I ask my own kids everyday. “What did you make with your hands today?” Not how was your day. I want them making/creating everyday. Create learning don’t just consume it. ✋✋🏻✋🏼✋🏽✋🏾✋🏿 #5thchat
A5: Our symbol is a star with a heart inside. We can all go off in different directions (interests & points-of-view) like the points of a star, but we all have caring hearts at our core. #5thchat
A5: 🛠 We all have a job/talent/ contribution in the toolbox of the classroom/life. Shout out to my principal for the inspiration ❤️ @hmfrancisco#5thchat
Learning is a journey & there is no path. Ss need to be brave, bold & confident to chart their own path to a life filled with joy & happiness. #5thchat
A6- #5thchat- My @GlenwoodES 4thGators are excited when they are allowed to be creative, and step away from the "typical class." When I see this type of excitement from my Ss, it makes me want to increase and grow my own creativity!
A6:
- Image 1: Happy kids...
- Image 2: Who work in teams...
- Image 3: To solve problems, make meaning, & find success...
- Image 4: Without feeling like a boring factory cranking out widgets!
#5thchat
Thank you SO much for moderating tonight's #5thchat@aleaglen! It was a FANTASTIC discussion on "Creative Thinking!"
Thanks also to all who joined the chat!
Please join us next TUESDAY (2/20/18) as @teachchoice moderates - TOPIC: "Strategies to Develop Intrinsic Learning."
Thanks to everyone who participated tonight in #5thchat. It was great to see your thinking! Here's one great resource that explains some of the thinking structures I shared tonight https://t.co/3NqXBdcdJ2.
