Several activities to help teachers focus students' attention on learning at the end of the year include quiz games, mystery boxes, map games, videotapes, gift making, author birthday parties, yard sales, ice cream science, and summer safety activities. Younger students can create murals, play editing games, and enjoy special ceremonies. (SM)

Two studies are reported that measure the long-term stability of performance assessments involving story-writing and poetry-writing (involving grade four and five students) and story-telling (involving grade two students). The long-term stability of these assessments compares favorably with stability figures for other creativity tests. (Author/JDD)

Describes a reflective inquiry teacher education program at one university, examining the relationship between values and teacher skills. The program emphasizes the development of analytical and critical thinking skills. The article describes 25 preservice teachers' value clusters, explores the necessary skills development, and shares one…

Argues that creativity is the essence of true learning and explores its role in art education. Studies the creative process at work in several artists. Considers David Perkins' work on the creative process, identifying characteristics of a creative environment. Concludes creativity is more akin to problem solving than to spontaneous and mysterious…

Instead of becoming a launching pad for tomorrow, schooling must be worthwhile for today. Learning to learn must overshadow the acquisition of methods, skills, and knowledge. Educators must conscientiously avoid programs that accommodate the masses at the expense of individuals. Principals must exercise influence to replace memorization and rote…

This article describes the development, over 13 years, of the Minnesota Young Inventors Program and Fair, focusing on its program components, including invention instruction and exhibit judging, the inventors fair, exhibit opportunities, plans for the future, and administration. The involvement of community businesses and corporations,…

Examines the process by which teachers learn to teach thinking in the classroom. The paper describes the evolution of thinking skills in three phases: thinking skills acquisition, critical and creative thinking processes, and thoughtful application. Teachers pass through the three-stage process as they learn how to teach thinking. (SM)

Offers a list of effective practice techniques for string teachers who want either to renew their own teaching techniques or refresh the techniques they have been implementing with new ideas. Believes teachers should remember that practice is unique for each student and should cater their techniques to this notion. (CMK)

This article describes Camp Invention, a national creativity day camp that integrates science, math, social studies, and the arts. The one week camp for children entering grades 2-6 attracts many academically gifted children because of its hands-on curriculum. The camp's curriculum and activities are discussed. (Contains two references.) (CR)

Discussion of the benefits of reading aloud focuses on reading to teens. Topics include building social relationships; teaching language skills; improving text comprehension, imaginative and creative thinking, curriculum content learning, listening and speaking skills, and motivation to read and learn; and how to include reading in school…

Focuses on ways to foster and access creativity in engineering students. Presents three case studies that demonstrate the importance of establishing freedom in the learning process as well as providing motivation be it extrinsic or intrinsic. Describes how to monitor the level of success in fostering creativity in students. (Author/PVD)

Although most constructivist classrooms feature active, social, and creative learning, different kinds of knowledge (inert, ritual, conceptually difficult, and foreign) invite varied constructivist responses, not one standard approach. Constructivism is pragmatic and should be viewed as a toolbox for problems of learning; teachers should use…

Systematic inventive problem-solving is an approach for finding original and useful ideas by systematically examining alterations in existing components within a system, their attributes, functions or internal relationships. This method, which aims at complementing divergent thinking in problem-solving and design, is gaining increased attention in…

A six-month longitudinal study (N = 33) proved the influence of a diversified sport enrichment program on the development of creative thinking in team ball sports among gifted children. A contrast between a gifted control group and a non-gifted treatment group showed that the creative performance of the gifted children significantly improved…

With the increasing interest by Asian countries in developing a more creative workforce through the education system, many universities have introduced courses that aim to enhance the creativity of their students. Students also perceive a need for increased creativity. However, there is some debate about whether short-term creativity training is…