3 activities to nurture creativity in the classroom

Laura Vazquez
Overhead shot of young childrens' arms playing with blocks and toys

What keeps people from?exercising?their creative potential? From negative past experiences to the way we see ourselves, there are many things that can hold us back, no matter how old we are. As teachers, it’s our job to help each individual find out what their creative barriers are, whether internal, external or imagined.

Our classrooms, therefore, need to become places where we nourish emotional safety and welcome mistakes. As such, we should encourage a culture that promotes failing as part of learning.??

Here are three activities to help nurture creativity in the primary classroom.

Activity one: My whole self

In this activity, students express themselves in words and images, using a life-sized drawing of their bodies. The aim of this is to help them share their feelings and ideas. With a little adaptation, it can work just as well with teens and young learners.?
Before the lesson, ensure you have enough cardboard or paper for each student. Each piece will need to be approximately 2m long. If you’re using paper, roll it into tubes, so it’s easier to distribute to each student later.

In class, hand out the paper/cardboard to each student. Tell them to draw a life-size outline of themselves on the paper. Students working online can copy the outline you share onto a large piece of paper. They can do this in their notebooks if they don’t have any paper to hand.?

In teen classes

Tell the students that they are free to use their creativity. They should draw, write, and express themselves however they want. If they are stuck for ideas, ask them:

  • How do you feel??
  • What are your ambitions??
  • What are you worried about??
  • What do you enjoy?
  • What are you looking forward to?

Note that questions should be adapted to your students’ age and level of English.?

During the activity, your students can use colors, stickers, magazines – and anything that will help them express what is in their minds and hearts.?

A note on using this activity in elementary classes

Primary-aged students will need more support. Here are some example instructions:

  • In your right hand, write what you do when you feel frustrated.?
  • In your right foot, write your favorite song.?
  • In your left leg, write the name of the person you get good advice from.?
  • In your right arm, write what makes you happy.?
  • In your left hand, write your greatest dream.?
  • In your left foot, write which cartoon character you would like to be.?
  • In your left leg, write what you like to do in your free time.?
  • In your left arm, write things you value the most.?
  • On your stomach write your favorite meal.

Afterwards, students should explain what they’ve included in their silhouettes to the rest of the class. Encourage students to ask each other respectful questions.?

Activity two: Message in the box

The aim of this activity is to establish a routine where students can share their ideas, thoughts and feelings on a regular basis.?

Have students bring an old box into class (of any type). Encourage them to personalize their boxes with decorative paper, markers, crayons, stickers, etc.?

Instruct students to write an idea, feeling, thought or question down. The complexity of the task will depend on the grade you teach and their level of English. Topic ideas include:

  • What are you grateful for today??
  • How do you feel today???
  • What do you wish for??
  • What do you do when you’re angry??
  • What do you like most about yourself?

Have your students write their answers and put them in the box. When everyone has finished, they should take turns to choose a piece of paper at random and read it out loud to the group.?

Wrap up this activity by asking the class, “What things do we have in common as a group?”. This way students will see that everyone has similar worries and dreams and hopefully they’ll be more willing to talk about their feelings in future classes.

Keep the box in a safe place and review the notes after a month to see if peoples' thoughts and feelings have changed since they did the activity.

Activity three: Activity story board

The ideal class environment is one where students feel challenged, but not overwhelmed.? The aim of this activity is to have students reflect on the challenges they have faced in their day-to-day learning and think about what they need to do to improve.?

On a blank piece of paper, ask students to draw two vertical lines and one horizontal line to form six boxes. They should number each box from 1 to 6.?Students should then write a challenge or objective in box number six. It should be something that they would like to improve, for example, studying habits, reading skills, doing homework, getting better at exam results, etc. Then encourage them to think of five things they can do to help them reach their objective and write them in boxes 1-5.?

  1. Read at least two paragraphs every day
  2. Draw what I think is the main idea on paper.?
  3. Look up the meaning of words I don?t understand.?
  4. Try to increase the number of paragraphs I read each week.?
  5. Make a monthly progress chart? to see if I have improved. If not, I need to work on another strategy.
  6. My objective:? Ex. Get better at reading comprehension quizzes.

Provide students with your support and constructive feedback. Have them share their objectives with the rest of the class and every couple of weeks check how they are doing.?
Remember to praise their ideas and efforts to improve. Students are more motivated when they feel their teachers are invested in their success.

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    1. STEAM requires a lot of time

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    10-minute STEAM challenges:

    • Winter unit: How tall can you build a snowman using paper cups??
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    • Bug project: Can you create a symmetrical butterfly?

    2. You need fancy materials to do STEAM

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    Here is a low-tech activity you can try:?

    Combine engineering, art and math using cardboard and a pair of scissors

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    Check out this simple STEAM experiment to learn about plants and their needs.?

    How do plants eat and drink??

    Have students put water and food dye in a pot. Put a white flower in the water. Ask students to guess what will happen.?

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    Exploring unusual and funny English sayings

    By Charlotte Guest
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    It's April Fool's Day today and we’re diving into the lighter side of the English language. English is full of quirky sayings and odd words that can leave you scratching your head or laughing out loud. So enjoy this collection of funny English sayings and words that are sure to bring a smile to your face and probably make you question whether this is an April Fool’s Day joke.

    1. Bob’s your uncle

    Let’s start with a classic British saying: “Bob’s your uncle.” This phrase is used to indicate that something will be simple or straightforward. For example, “Just add water, and Bob’s your uncle”. But who is Bob, and why is he your uncle? The origins are unclear, but it’s a fun way to say, “And there you have it”.

    2. The bee’s knees

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    3. More holes than Swiss cheese

    If something has “more holes than Swiss cheese,” it means it’s full of flaws or problems. This saying is self-explanatory if you’ve ever seen a slice of Swiss cheese. It’s a humorous way to point out that something isn’t quite up to par.

    4. Bamboozle

    To “bamboozle” someone means to trick or confuse them. This word itself sounds like a bit of a trick, doesn’t it? It’s believed to have originated in the 17th century, and it’s a perfect word to use on April Fool's Day when you’re pulling pranks on your friends.

    5. Fuddy-duddy

    A “fuddy-duddy” is someone who is old-fashioned or fussy. This term is often used affectionately to describe someone who is a bit behind the times. It’s a funny-sounding word that’s sure to bring a smile to your face.

    6. Gobbledygook

    “Gobbledygook” refers to language that is meaningless or hard to understand, often used to describe overly complex jargon. It was coined during World War II by a Texas congressman who compared confusing bureaucratic language to the sound of a turkey’s gobble. It’s a perfect word for describing those moments when someone is talking but you have no idea what they’re saying.

    7. Mad as a hatter

    If someone is “mad as a hatter,” they’re completely crazy. This saying dates back to the 19th century when hat makers (hatters) often suffered from mercury poisoning due to the chemicals used in hat production, leading to erratic behavior. It’s a whimsical way to describe someone who’s a bit off their rocker.

    8. Raining cats and dogs

    When it’s “raining cats and dogs”, it’s raining very heavily. The origins of this saying are unclear, but it’s a vivid and amusing way to describe a downpour. Just imagine cats and dogs falling from the sky!

    9. Lollygag

    To “lollygag” means to dawdle or waste time. It’s a playful word that perfectly captures the essence of goofing off. So, if you find yourself procrastinating today, just tell everyone you’re lollygagging.

    10. The whole shebang

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    11. Cat got your tongue?

    When someone is unusually quiet or at a loss for words, you might ask “Cat got your tongue?” This odd saying dates back to the 19th century and is a humorous way to prompt someone to speak up.

    12. As cool as a cucumber

    If someone is “as cool as a cucumber,” they’re very calm and composed, even in stressful situations. This saying is amusing because it compares a person’s demeanor to a vegetable known for its refreshing coolness. It’s a fun way to compliment someone’s ability to stay unruffled.

    How many unusual English sayings do you know?

    English is a wonderfully weird language, full of sayings and words that can leave us amused and bewildered. On this April Fool's Day, we hope you’ve enjoyed this lighthearted look at some of the funniest expressions English has to offer. So go ahead, sprinkle these sayings into your conversations, and share a laugh with your friends. After all, laughter is the best medicine, and today is the perfect day to embrace the humor in our language.