Suggests two approaches to creative writing instruction that religion teachers can use to heighten students' awareness of themselves, others and the environment; to help them share their perspectives and develop the language to account for their experience; and to encourage their imagination. (DMM)

Creativity, a means of communicating a personal and unique response to life, should be nurtured and cultivated in the classroom. This document discusses the nature of creativity and, using the analogy of a gardener cultivating a garden, outlines nine steps a teacher may take in developing students' creativity--prepare the soil, plant the garden…

This research attempted to identify categories of cognitive development existing in creative writing samples (written by over 5000 gifted children ages 9-18) that provide a basis for developmental analysis. Four categories with three levels of development in each were identified: (1) self, (2) others, (3) problem solving, and (4) abstractness of…

A study was conducted to determine whether there is a relationship between problem discovery and the assessed originality of the written product, and to determine whether problem-solving behavior is observable in student writers. Results indicated a relationship between problem finding and the originality of the product. (HOD)

This article describes one poet/teacher's program to explore and cultivate student creativity, intuition, and imagination through a series of visual, verbal, and psychological exercises. Visualization, free-writing, association, variations on other poets' work, and memory mapping are among the creativity exercises employed prior to actual writing…

This digest paper presents strategies and activities that can be used to encourage gifted students to develop their individual talents in the language arts. Suggestions for exploring poetic language especially free verse, include ideas for creating group poems and catalysts for creating individual poems. Suggestions for exploring the elements of…

Outlines a method to help students through the beginning phases of writing that will also show them the vital relationship between observation and creation. (RL)

In this collection, numerous professional writers who have worked with students in public school classrooms offer ideas for helping students learn to write creatively. The ideas are grouped into six major sections: "Teaching Writing,""Writing Ideas" (gimmicks, letters and dialogues, writing from observation, writing and literature), "Drama, Film,…

Argues that student creative writing is stimulated by painting and other visual art. Describes a seven-step process in which students view painting and other visual arts and then write poetry. Includes suggested artworks and excerpts of poetry written by students. (CFR)

This book synthesizes research findings on creativity and talent development. Part 1, "Definitions and Processes of Creativity," discusses the definition of creativity, creativity and psychology, federal definitions of giftedness and creativity, psychological research on creativity, traditional theories of the creative, common descriptions of the…