IT'S ABOUT TIME, TEACHERS, for CREATIVITY PROJECTS!

• Do you want to cultivate creativity without adding to your overloaded schedule?
• Do you want to build constructive home-school connections?
• Do you want a full year of project assignments that will build right brain thinking?
• Do you want resources that are print-and-go?

If you answered YES to any of these questions, then -

Destination: Imagination via Creative Thinking is perfect for satisfying your goal of building creativity. These products are designed to be completed at home, giving overly eager parents a constructive way to work with their students. (Teachers of gifted students are well acquainted with this problem phenomena.) Sharing their projects with the class gives students the opportunity to speak meaningfully. This product line is designed to be teacher friendly by providing a weekly assignment sheet, award certificates to recognize the creators' efforts, and tips and tricks to ensure success.

Destination: Imagination via Creative Thinking was designed for gifted students to promote the 4 traits of gifted children: fluency, flexibility, elaboration, and originality. But really, what child wouldn't benefit from working on those aspects? I have found the projects work very well with heterogeneous groups and have successfully used it with 1st - 5th graders. But you don't have to take my word for it. Try these FREE samples before you buy the collections:

Each volume of Destination: Imagination via Creative Thinking supplies projects for a full semester.

Here's a preview of Volume 1:

IT'S ABOUT TIME, TEACHERS, for CREATIVE THINKING CHALLENGES

• Are you looking for weekly challenges to your learners' creative thinking? 
• Would you love it to be a home assignment?
• Would you be thrilled to get a full year of challenges that are print and go?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then you should check out Destination: Imagination via Creative Thinking.

This eclectic collection of activities was created for use in my gifted and talented classrooms. The goal is to promote the 4 traits of gifted children: fluency, flexibility, elaboration, and originality. But really, what child wouldn't benefit from working on those aspects? I have found these projects works very well with heterogeneous groups and have successfully used them with 1st - 5th graders.

These challenges are also a wonderful home-school connection that directs eager parents to work with their children in a constructive manner. Another benefit is that children learn to share their products with purpose and confidence. 

All of the project assignments are ready to print and send home.  Also included are notes to the teacher to help ensure the success of your students.  These notes are based on years of experience with the challenges.

TRY IT BEFORE YOU BUY IT.   You can get a better sense of what this project offers by checking out this FREE activity that is included in Destination: Imagination via Creative Thinking Vol. 2:

 

IT'S PUMPKIN TIME!

 

Pumpkin season is just the best! From pumpkin spice lattes to carving Jack-o'-lanterns, it's a special time of year.

In the classroom, my favorite project is challenging my learners to create Jack-o'-lanterns, but I have one caveat:

That's right, no pumpkins.  Their creations can be made from literally anything else.  The results are always amazing.

Alternate foods and gourds are perennial favorites.

But, that's just the tip of the iceberg. Look at the variety of materials students have used - 

Conduct this activity as a home project. This provides a wonderful opportunity for parents to be involved in cultivating their children's creativity.

Give your students one week to create their Jazzy Jack-o'-lanterns.  Encourage them to bring their creations in on the designated date. Consider putting them on display for the entire school to enjoy.

I have used this project successfully with all elementary grades. 

Read more about this project in my FREE product:

If you enjoy this project, you may like these products from the Destination Imagination via Creative Thinking collection in my TPT store.

Another Leap Year FREEBIE!

It's about time teachers, ...  for Leap Year.  Actually, Leap Year is already here, but we are approaching Leap DAY.  In honor of that special event, I am offering another freebie.  This one is designed for GATE, exercising your students' fluency, flexibility, elaboration, and originality.  It's called Leaping Lizards and is part of my TpT product Destination Imagination.  

Before you look at the product, you have to hear how it came about.  After years of hosting Show & Tell without ever really listening, I tuned in one day.  Chrissy came to the front of the class and with all the drama of a diva, pointed out a rather loose tooth at the front of her mouth. Then, one hand on hip, and using the other hand to shake a menacing finger at the class, she proceeded to warn everyone to stay away from her at recess because she was NOT going to lose that tooth at school!  Then she concluded with the additional admonition that the boys, especially, had better keep their distance.  I'm pretty sure I heard a growl.

I'm nearly certain that those moves mimic her MOTHER.  = )

Then Jeff took his turn at Show & Tell.  With great ceremony and exaggerated courtesy, Jeff asked if he could use a chair for his Show & Tell. Naturally I agreed.  He sat on the chair and quickly removed one shoe and sock.  Then, holding his foot straight out in front of him, he declared that everyone needed to line up and take a look at the planters wart on the bottom of his foot because after school his mother was taking him to the doctor's to have it removed.

By the time all of this occurred, I had been teaching for 15 years.  What did I miss all of those years?!?!?!?

Following that unforgettable day, I decided I needed to up the ante on Show & Tell day.  Hence, I devised and instituted Destination Imagination.  Succinctly, an assignment sheet is sent home each Friday describing the coming week's challenge.  The following Friday, students who choose to participate, present and explain their products.  Participation generally runs at around 70%, which is better than traditional Show & Tell.  My kiddos have a purpose for their oral presentation and a week's worth of working in a positive and productive way with their families.  It is also a wonderful home-school connection that directs eager parents to work with their children in a constructive manner.

Following is the assignment sheet for the Leap Year activity:

These activities became legendary in my building.  Parents loved them and my colleagues clamored to borrow them.  So, I created "Notes to the teacher" explaining some of the pitfalls and lessons I learned through years of using the challenges.  When I became the enrichment specialist and resource teacher for the school, I found these Notes saved me many, many repetitions in answering questions from the teachers.

First graders will do almost anything for a participation certificate, at least in my experience.  Each challenge then, has a certificate that is ready to print and distribute to those who participate.  Following is the page with "Notes to the teacher" and the certificate.

If you like this product, you can find it in my TpT store here.  For another example of a component of the unit, check out my Jazzy Jack-o'-lanterns freebie on TpT.

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For younger G/T students, you may like:

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