Category: Inspiring Inquiry

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Creative Thinking in the Classroom

A couple of weeks ago, I introduced the concept of using the 7 Cs of Education in your classroom. Last week, I talked about critical thinking, which is such a crucial skill not only within a classroom setting, but also in many other settings throughout life.

The second of the 7 Cs is creativity. Creativity can be daunting to some, and may feel very risky to a lot of kids. Even so, creative thinking is so important, and it’s absolutely worth pushing your students to try it. When presented with a problem or situation that needs solving, analyzing, or exploring, looking at it through a creative lens can generate some really unique, innovative ideas. Some kids come hardwired to think creatively, but many do not, and that’s okay! Keeping this in mind then, how do we teach and encourage this kind of thinking? 

Truthfully, there are so many ways to promote creativity for every kind of learning style and every content area. Anytime we can get students to let go of black and white thinking is a big win and a step in the right direction toward creative thinking. Below you will find some ideas you can implement in your teaching. Remember, there is no right or wrong way to encourage creative thinking; every student is different, but all can think outside the box!

  • Encourage movement- physical activity can clear the brain of extra “noise”, which then leaves room for deeper, more creative approaches to solving problems. If possible, let kids move around outside. Movement + fresh air = amazing results!
  • Read! When kids read or are read to, they begin to see beyond their own space. Seeing characters in books facing similar situations as they do can encourage students to approach problems in new, creative ways.
  • Use mistakes and failures as ways to reframe thinking. Learn from the mistakes, take note of what did and did not work, and proceed with a fresh set of ideas. Mistakes aren’t an ending, but rather a chance to try again.
  • Use open ended questions to force students to push their thinking beyond yes/no answers. Asking “why” promotes deeper, more creative thinking.
  • Ask questions that allow students to use their imaginations. “What if” questions are really great for imaginative and creative thinking. Silly questions can also be great tools. 
  • Let kids play on their own. Give them free time. When we step back and let their minds work on their own, you see amazing things start to happen. Sometimes the pressure of a hovering adult can suppress creative thinking. Removing that pressure can help kids feel more relaxed and free to be silly, imaginative, and creative.
  • Let students know that any idea is valuable, especially when in the beginning stages of solving a problem. If they feel like they can contribute their ideas no matter how “out there” they may seem, they are more likely to feel comfortable sharing with others.
  • Make your classroom a safe space for expression, where everyone feels valued and included. Creating a judgement-free zone is super important when creating a safe space.
  • Be flexible. Just because you’re the adult doesn’t mean that your idea or your way is the only idea or way. Be open to new ideas, and encourage your students to do the same.
  • Keep things fun! It’s hard to think creatively when there is pressure and criticism. Many kids will shut down when faced with strict, uptight rules and thinking. 
  • Allow for students to work together. Combining brain power can lead to really great outcomes.

Some of the greatest solutions and ideas have come from creative thinking. As we encourage our students to think in creative ways, their minds begin to open up to all sorts of possibilities. A box goes from a cube of cardboard to a car, spaceship, shopping cart, lawn mower, doll house, or any other number of things. A blank piece of paper and a writing prompt can turn into a magnificent adventure or a mystery full of twists and turns. The options are endless when it comes to creative thinking!

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Critical Thinking: A Skill to Take to the Bank

Last week, I introduced the 7 Cs of education. Essentially, they are seven ways that students learn and process information that is taught to them. Since kids all learn in their own unique ways, each of these 7 Cs are equally important. Today we’ll start with the first on the list: Critical Thinking. 

Thinking critically has many benefits, including increased problem solving ability, improved decision making, and increased curiosity. As students learn to be critical thinkers, they begin to think outside the box. This leads to more diverse, unique solutions and answers. Students start to think creatively as they expand their thinking beyond the obvious. They are able to analyze and evaluate a problem on a deeper level, which lends itself to making informed inferences, and eventually, unique solutions.

Critical thinking is a skill that is used long after students have completed formal education. Because of this, it’s important that students are taught how to think critically so that it becomes second nature. When they are faced with a problem or situation in adulthood, they will already have the tools they need to process possible solutions because of what they had been taught when they were younger. As adults, we know that problems will arise in the workplace, at home, and elsewhere. Knowing how to tackle problems and find solutions becomes an immeasurable skill as we encounter various situations. 

There are many different ways that students can be taught to think critically. Allowing students to work in groups to solve problems can be a very effective way for students to combine their brain power to come up with creative, well thought out solutions. Activities like escape rooms, debates, role playing, case studies, scavenger hunts, and sequencing can encourage critical thinking. 

As kids are given opportunities to think deeper, they begin to train their brains to look at problems and solutions through a different lens, and soon enough, critical thinking becomes second nature!

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Exploring the 7 Cs

The world of education is anything but stagnant; it’s constantly changing, growing, improving, and moving. As we learn new techniques and methods, we adapt our teaching. When we realize some methods are outdated, we keep an open mind and try new things. As we become aware of new societal and cultural trends, expectations, and experiences, we use that information to better our teaching. This ever changing flow keeps us on our toes and helps our students receive the best possible education. Not only do we as educators change and adapt the way we present information, we also change the ways in which our students receive, process, and demonstrate their learning. While doing some research, I came across a concept I had never heard of, and was quite intrigued by: the 7 Cs in Education. 

The 7 Cs concept outlines seven ways that our students can demonstrate what they have learned, and ways they can process what we teach. Each skill requires students to use a different way of gathering and processing information, thus promoting diverse thinking. The 7 Cs are as follows:

1- Critical Thinking

2- Creativity

3- Collaboration

4- Communication

5- Computer Literacy

6- Cross-cultural Understanding

7- Career and Life Skills

Each of these skills can benefit students immensely. They are relevant skills for everyday life, every subject, and are skills that they will use as they grow into adulthood. Since each skill can be discussed in greater depth, I think it would be beneficial to dive into each skill individually over the next little bit. Join me as we explore these seven areas of teaching and learning!

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A Method to the Madness

Imagine for a minute that you are in a chemistry class. You’re learning about endothermic and exothermic reactions, and your assignment is to conduct an experiment with the end result being one of those two reactions. Rather than showing you how to do it, your teacher stands at the front of the room and delivers a lecture to the class about which elements will react when combined. Not really that exciting and engaging, right? 

There are so many things to learn about, and so many ways to teach them. Sure, a chemistry teacher could lecture about reactions, but actually showing the class how to perform the experiments would be much more effective. Similarly, a history teacher could go through a slide show of information about the Civil War, but there might be other ways to teach that same material that would create a longer lasting impact on the students. 

Students learn in so many different ways, so it makes sense that teachers need to teach material using many different methods. The methods used will vary from subject to subject, and even will vary within each subject depending on what exactly is being taught, as some topics lend themselves to one particular method over another. 

With so many methods to choose from, how is a teacher supposed to pick which one(s) to use?! In order to choose the best one, it might be helpful to know what exactly each method is, and what kinds of content it might be best suited for. 

Lecture Based

In this method, the teacher provides a large amount of information by delivering a lecture to the class. While not always engaging, it can be an effective way to get a lot of information out. This method is often used to introduce a new topic or provide background knowledge before taking a deeper dive into a topic. The use of visual aids, stories, jokes, and questions can help keep students engaged. 

Inquiry Based

Inquiry based teaching is the practice of allowing students to come up with questions, then explore various resources to find the answers to those questions. Students can conduct research, collect data, and gather evidence to support their inquiries. This type of teaching is typically most effective in science classes as well as history classes.

Technology Based

Technology based teaching is just as it sounds– teaching using technology, and allowing students to use technology to learn and explore topics. This can be incorporated into nearly any subject, and can be very beneficial to students. Devices such as computers, tablets, online programs, or even smart phones can provide students with a wide base of resources with which to learn.

Group Based

In group based teaching, the teacher provides the background knowledge, then has students work together in groups to learn more, conduct research, conduct experiments, gather data, and so on. This approach promotes cooperation and communication among students. Teachers become facilitators in this method. They are there to help students as needed, but a large portion of what is learned is done as students work together. 

Game Based

Gamification has recently become quite a popular way to teach. It’s engaging, fun, and can be used for nearly any subject. Students usually associate games with fun, so when teachers turn learning into a game type format, the brain automatically sees the activity as more enticing. There are so many online options for game based teaching. In addition to creating their own educational games, teachers can pick from several online gamification platforms to create fun, educational games for their students. Websites like Kahoot!, Quizizz, Blooket, Gimkit, and Quizlet Live are all excellent resources available to teachers. 

Individual Based

In this method, the teacher provides the content, but students become the main facilitator in their own learning. They become responsible for how and where they learn, which creates a sense of ownership. This can lead to greater confidence and deeper learning. 

Hands-On Learning

This method gives students a chance to really get into the content and experience it with their senses. Hands-on learning experiences have been shown to make a more lasting impact on student brains than lectures alone. When a student can experiment, ask questions, and form a physical product based on what has been learned, the information is much more likely to be retained. 

There are many methods teachers can use to deliver information to their students, and there truly isn’t a right or wrong way to teach material. There are certainly some methods that are more effective for some subjects than they are for others, but any teacher can use any of these teaching methods and still get results. Good teachers also don’t just stick to one type of teaching; they change their method based on what is best for the information they are going to teach, and what is best for their students. Don’t be afraid to try new teaching methods– you might be pleasantly surprised that you really enjoy one you haven’t tried. However you decide to teach though, make sure you do it with your students’ best interests in mind, and you will see your students succeed!

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Ice Skating and the Classroom: More Similar Than You Think

Last week, I accompanied a large group of teenagers on an activity to go ice skating. They ranged in age from 11 to 17 years old. As I sat on the bench watching them and other patrons go around the rink, I noticed the wide variety of skill levels present. There were people clinging to the walls, barely staying upright, while others were effortlessly executing double axels and Biellmann spins in the center of the rink. As I seem to do with many situations I find myself in, I couldn’t help but think about how these varying levels of skill compared to the kinds of students we encounter in our classrooms. 

First, we’ve got the quiet achiever. These are the kids who are in the center of the rink, performing all kinds of cool tricks and moves. But the neat thing about these kids is that they aren’t doing it for show. They aren’t trying to impress other skaters or show off and brag. They are confident in their abilities to do what they know how to do, so they carry on, performing to the best of their ability, and constantly pushing themselves to learn new things and improve on what they already do know.

Next, we have the loud and proud skaters. These kids are the life of the party. They think they know how to do really impressive tricks, and they want everyone to know it. They draw attention to themselves. They might be in the center of the rink doing tricks, but they typically aren’t very humble about it, and they most certainly are trying to impress those around them. These students can be a lot of fun in class, but also know how to sometimes push it a little too far.

There’s also the easy gliders. I think this is where the majority of students are. These are the ones who are skating along, doing what they need to do to keep upright and moving, occasionally falling, but always getting right back up and continuing on. They will sometimes do a little extra trick or try to learn something new to perform. These kids are usually pretty well mannered and responsible with their tasks. 

Then we’ve got the kids who are gliding along the rink, doing only what they need to do to remain upright. They don’t like to do extra tricks, they don’t like to go out of their way to learn new things, and they seem to perpetually just go around and around, doing the minimum effort required to keep moving forward. 

Lastly, there are the kids, who, despite trying, are literally clinging to the walls, with legs flailing and skates slipping, barely staying upright. They are desperately trying to get the hang of skating, but just can’t seem to. They listen to more experienced skaters who give them pointers and advice, but for whatever reason, they still seem to struggle getting it. These kids are doing their best to try, and will cling to any amount of success they have– as they should!

Did certain students come to mind as you read about these different kinds of ice skaters? I can’t imagine a classroom full of students who all shared the exact same personality traits and learning styles. I mean, think about it— a room full of quiet introverts would generate some very awkward silences and lonnnnggg class periods. On the other hand, a room full of extroverted class clowns would lead to little getting accomplished and lots of exhaustion for the teacher. The point is, is that we need a range of personality types and learning styles to enrich our classrooms. Without that variety, I imagine our jobs wouldn’t be nearly as fun as they are with it. How do you celebrate these differences in your classroom?

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Using Nature as a Classroom

My kids are on Fall Break, so today we decided to do a “fun” family hike to see some caves in a nearby canyon. The hike was difficult— 1.5 miles up a path with a 12% grade (and then back down the same path). It was a whopping 40 degrees and rained on us off and on. I was pleasantly surprised by how my kids handled it. I was expecting much weeping and wailing, but they did quite well. I also wasn’t expecting the hike to provide as many learning opportunities as it did, but was happy to find that it did.

We started at the visitor’s center to check in and explore for a few minutes. There were interactive boards and displays that showed various animals in the area, rock formations, information about caves, and preserved insects that (thankfully!) weren’t in the caves anymore. Even I learned a thing or two! It was the perfect way to start the hike, because my kids were able to see some of the things that they might get to see in real life as we hiked. They got excited about what was to come and they learned some new information— big win in my book!

Along the way up to the caves, there were several information boards and plaques on the side of the trail. They each contained information about what you could see from that particular point, what kind of rocks were by the part of the trail where we were, or even health check points to make sure you weren’t over doing it on the hike. One board had information about all the rock layers that were present where we were, and even included rock samples so that we could see what each layer looked like. It was so cool!

One stopping point had an interactive display about the types of birds that lived in the area. My kids were able to push buttons to hear what each species of bird sounded like. This was a great multi-sense activity, as they were able to see a picture of the bird, push a button, and hear what it would sound like. I always love a good multi-sense activity!

Once we finally made it to the cave entrance and made our way through the cave system, we were fed so much information about stalactites, stalagmites, helictites, calcite, and all sorts of other cave formations and structures. Our tour guide did a great job explaining things and letting my kids ask a ton of questions. It was fascinating for the kids and adults alike. I walked away having learned a lot of new information.

By the end of the few hours we spent there, I was exhausted! But as we drove away, I reflected back on our experience and was reminded that learning opportunities are all around us. We don’t have to be students in a classroom to learn new things. The world around us is teeming with information waiting to be discovered; all we have to do is open our eyes a little wider and be willing to explore a little bit!

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The Benefits of Boredom

If you grew up in the 80s and 90s like I did (or even in earlier decades), you know very well the reality of growing up mostly screen free. You know what it’s like to make your own fun. You remember times growing up when you were forced to come up with your own ideas, rather than relying on a little screen. Simply put, you know how to be bored– and how to be okay with it!

Today’s kids are becoming more and more intolerant of boredom. I can’t tell you the amount of times I hear my own children say, “I’m bored! Can I play a game on your phone?”, to which I always respond with, “Nope! It’s okay to be bored! Put your mind to work and think of something fun to do!” The majority of the time, they will complain about it and try to state their case again and again, but every now and then, if they will sit in their boredom long enough, it’s amazing what they can come up with! 

Classrooms are experiencing the same epidemic. Because of the mass amount of information they are being fed through screens and other devices on a daily basis, their brains just can’t seem to handle any amount of down time. It’s almost like a panic mode clicks on– they can’t even fathom not having anything to do or look at, and that seems to drive anxiety and stress. Students are afraid of quiet. They are afraid of letting their minds relax and think away from screens. 

Granted, boredom is a stark contrast to the go go go state that their developing brains are almost always in. Quiet, slow, imaginative thinking is becoming a foreign concept. Students are so used to information being fed to them at a rapid pace that they aren’t sure how to slow their brains down. It’s like rush hour traffic, when hundreds of drivers are trying to merge onto, navigate, and drive on the same road. It’s chaotic and sometimes messy. There is so much going on all at once that it’s hard to make any sense of it all. It’s easy to miss things that are happening. Compare that to a late evening freeway: the amount of traffic has decreased dramatically. Cars don’t have to fight for a spot on the highway. The chaos is minimized. The noise and messiness have almost disappeared. It becomes much easier to navigate the road and notice things that are happening.


Kids today can greatly benefit from being bored. Their minds will quiet down. They will learn to listen to their own minds and come up with their own ideas. Imaginations will soar. Anxiety will lessen. Boredom will become something that is okay, and hopefully at some point, something that is wanted because of the benefits that come from it. Boredom can be a powerful thing if we allow it to be.