The article provides practical information and techniques for effectively using creative problem-solving. Six stages of problem solving, with both convergent and divergent thinking phases, are discussed. Also discussed are equipment, time frames, and environmental requirements for creative problem-solving sessions. Sample exercises are offered.…

Drama in the classroom means honing thinking skills, increasing comprehension, bringing the written word to life, and fun. And it's effective with general, gifted, and at-risk students from K-12. (Author/TE)

Chaos theory has recently become a central area of scientific interest in psychology. This article explores the psychological meaning and deeper philosophical issues and cultural roots surrounding various views of chaos and provides a multicultural perspective of origins and development of the idea of chaos and its relationship to chaos theory.…

Describes "concoctions," a style of small group and pair activities that has proved highly successful in stimulating language interaction in a wide variety of instructional settings. Along with a theoretical discussion, numerous concoctions are included in the text and appendix. (JL)

Pullout pages provide suggestions for teaching elementary students at all levels about the wonders of human ingenuity. The suggestions help students see that great ideas come from the need to solve real-life problems and that one great idea leads to another, so current inventions help predict future inventions. (SM)

Disadvantaged Filipino children (ages 5-6) who were fast learners were given 20 sessions (n=7) or 46 sessions (n=8) of training in creative activities, using such techniques as brainstorming, figural/verbal/physical exercises, and problem solving. Children exposed to more training activities over a longer period of time manifested gains in…

According to Irene Dixon-Darnell, a 75-year-old great-grandmother who runs a chess-education program in the Washoe (Nevada) County Schools, chess can win-over some difficult students. She believes the ancient game of strategy teaches children to focus, encourages them to think critically and creatively, and even cures emotional wounds. Research…

Image within the Writing Process is an arts-based literacy program that integrates children's visual imagery at every stage of the writing process. Using various simple art materials and methods, young authors/illustrators have access to visual, kinesthetic, and verbal thinking modes. The process benefits both verbal thinkers and those with…

This study refines criteria for identifying children who are both gifted and learning disabled (LD). A figural forms test was completed by 3 groups of students in grades 5 through 8 to determine creative thinking variables distinguishing children who were gifted from those who were LD and those who were gifted and LD. (SW)

This article describes a process for increasing the quality of students' thinking through alternating from a quiet intuitive state to rational logical processing. The article provides specific teaching suggestions using guided imagery for students in grades K-2, grades 3-4, and grades 5 through college. (DB)

The relationship between creative thought processes and hemispheric asymmetry was examined in 47 right-handed male undergraduates. Four factors were identified, accounting for 75 percent of the total variance: Verbal Divergent Thinking Factor, Nonverbal Divergent Thinking Factor, Convergent Verbal Search Factor, and Cognitive Complexity Factor.…

Two potentially exciting elements are missing from the traditional case study analysis approach: opportunity for creative expression and clear focus on a contingency viewpoint in dealing with managerial problems. Computer-assisted scenario analysis emphasizes creative self-expression, a contingency viewpoint, and refinement of word-processing…

Reprinted from the original Russian manuscript of Yakov Zeldovich, this article chronicles his studies of the universe and his attempts to construct a theory of its evolution. He provides the high school student with compelling cosmological discussions about uniformity, galactic clusters, radiation, evolution, the big bang, and gravitational…

Intermediate level academically talented students learn essential elements of computer programming by working with robots at enrichment workshops at Dwight-Englewood School in Englewood, New Jersey. The children combine creative thinking and problem-solving skills to program the robots' microcomputers to perform a variety of movements. (JDD)

This paper describes how secondary teachers can use the Purdue Three-Stage Model as a framework for instruction that facilitates talent development in both heterogenous and homogenous classrooms. In the first two stages, students master the core content of a discipline and practice thinking creatively and critically about the content. In the third…