This article outlines both specific barriers to teaching and learning creative thinking as well as some possible directions for solutions. Sixteen common barriers such as confusion, powerlessness, and negativity are described along with strategies to dissolve them using such conceptual tools as awareness plans and proactive metathinking.…

Describes how artists' styles, images, and methods can express their cultural heritage, cultural influences, life experiences, and memories. Uses Romare Bearden's (1914-1988) collages and photomontages as examples. Suggests some collage activities for elementary and high school students based on their own life experiences. (KM)

Describes a self-portrait unit for middle school students using collage. Students draw silhouettes and then fill these in with cut-out magazine images reflecting their personalities. Encourages students to be inventive. The college background also reflects their personality. (KM)

Describes how storytelling can enhance both literal and inferential comprehension, motivate oral discussion, increase perceptual knowledge of metaphor, explain and promote interesting language usage, instill deeper meaning to children's personal experiences, and excite children about literature, storytelling, and creative interpretations of story.…

Describes how caregivers and their school-age children can make a "friendship quilt," outlining the basics of quilting, the materials needed, and basic patterns that can be followed. Includes detailed diagrams and patterns for designing and constructing applique and patchwork quilts. (MDM)

Describes Image-Making, a workshop in creative bookmaking based on a series of simple, carefully structured, parallel verbal and visual activities. Explains how each teacher and student designed and created an individual book (of his or her own poems and visual images) and a large communal book. (MG)

Reports the results of a study of active ingredients of creativity techniques, devices that promote idea generation, through an analysis of 172 idea-generation methods which identified three types of idea-generation devices--strategies, tactics, and enablers. These devices were organized into meaningful categories comprising a formulary of active…

Contends that an important theme for children in the middle grades to explore is that of identity, the task of self-definition States that good poetry and fiction can lead such students to do writing that helps them along the "slippery path" to self-definition. Describes several writing exercises that address middle school children. (PA)

Describes an art teacher's attempt to get away from standard student reports on famous artists and to make the project more fun and creative. Explains how students were asked to combine traditional research skills with creativity to produce mobiles with information and pictures related to their artist. (DSK)

Describes a flashlight photography experiment for students of a variety of ages that can be done without a darkroom or expensive equipment. Lists the materials required and outlines the process of using flashlights and "open shutter" photography to create various visual effects. (DSK)

Describes how Foster High School, Tukwila, Washington, joined forces with Walworth, a London secondary school, to write a play. Reports that, after some Walworth teachers visited Foster, the project got underway, with a group in each place writing part of the play, and another group revising. Notes that the play was finally performed at Foster…

Discusses various encounters children may have that leave lasting impressions, including encounters with animals or natural elements in general, those with people that evolve into friendship or tension, and fantasy encounters. Examples are given from films and literature, and sample creative activities involving encounters are suggested for…

This study investigated differences in verbal and artistic creative achievements among 6-year-old children. Creative-capacity level differentiation was analyzed, and factors which determine individual and group differences were determined. Results confirm a great differentiation of creative capacity levels and suggest that pedagogic factors are…

Describes several Thanksgiving Web sites, including those with historical information, favorite Thanksgiving foods and recipes, songs and games, arts and crafts activities, and some sites "just for fun." Sites include everything from the Macy's Day Parade site, to PlimothonWeb, to Thanksgiving clip art. (AEF)

Presents an article about the techniques for enhancing creativity among elementary students. Importance of developing rapport with the students to establish a harmonious learning environment; Need for teaching a wide but simple repertoire of songs, chants and patterns; Significance of developing mirroring games like Simon Says to improve the…