champion creatively - crayola · 2012-12-17 · champion creatively alive children series. the 4...

Champion Creatively Alive Children™

FACilitAtor’s Guide

Creativity

Welcome to Champion Creatively Alive Children, a program designed to empower school leaders, teachers and communi-ties with inspiration, knowledge and tools that can unleash the imagination and develop the originality in every child.

Crayola and the National Association of Elementary School Principals, in partnership with the National Art Education Association and the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, have teamed up to help you champion creatively alive children. This program will help you build support for arts-infused education, which develops the “4 Cs” skills all students need to succeed today and in the future.

How Can You Use Materials to Fit Different Schedules?a full day or several half days of professional development? Present all five training modules.

a 90-minute workshop? use one training module—or parts of all five modules.

a 30- or 60-minute presenta-tion to your school board, parents or community members? show one or two of the videos that fit the group’s interests or needs and modify the pre-sentation and activities to meet partici-pants’ needs.

a 15- or 20-minute opportunity in a staff or parent–teacher gather-ing? show one or two of the videos and engage participants in one of the hands-on exercises.

Who Could Lead a Workshop or Presentation?• art teachers who serve as the

“Chief Creative officers” in schools and are experts in the “why to” and “how to” deliver arts-infused education

• Principals and other school leaders who champion creativity as an essential skill throughout the school community

• Curriculum coordinators and academic coaches who present promising practices, help foster cre-ativity and broaden the instructional repertoires of other educators

Customize the Program for Your School Champion Creatively Alive Children is a comprehensive training program that you can adapt easily to your schedule and your school or community needs. the training modules can be used separately or as a series to spark the interest of faculty members, parents and the community.

Free Download of all Five Facilitator’s Guides, videos, PowerPoint®

Presentations and Handouts

The complete Champion Creatively Alive Children program is available at no cost to educators from Crayola and the National Association of Elementary School Principals.

Crayola.com/CreativelyAlive

NAESP.org

page 2 Creativity Champion Creatively Alive Children

Champion Creatively Alive Children Seriesthe 4 Cs: 21st Century Skills

CreativityDiscovering novel ways to think, learn and do

Critical ThinkingUsing original ideas to solve problems

CommunicationExpressing thoughts and feelings effectively

CollaborationWorking in partnership with others toward a common goal

plus

Arts-Infused Education AdvocacyChampioning the integration of the arts across the curriculum and school-wide to build the 4 Cs

Third graders in Bower Hill elementary School in Venetia, PA, drew inspiration from the impres-sionist paintings of Claude Monet, Henri Matisse and Vincent van Gogh in hands-on scientific inquiry. Working in the school’s outdoor garden, filled with flowers, vegetables and butterflies, they learned how to gather data, make careful scientific observations and apply their deductive reasoning skills. Then they created artistic render-ings of their discoveries. Science and art teach-ers, the library media specialist and enrichment facilitator collaborated on this multidisciplinary, creative learning experience.

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FACilitAtor's Guide Creativity page 3

Creativity Champion Creatively Alive Children

Arrange to have your supplies and equipment on hand:

• Art supplies

• Handouts

• Evaluation forms

• Equipment to play the short video and show the PowerPoint slides (e.g., an interactive whiteboard, computer, DVD player, TV and/or projector)

• Refreshments (optional)

Planning a Workshop or Presentationthis facilitator’s guide provides all the information you need to engage different audiences in your school community in exploring Creativity, one of the 4 Cs.

this guide provides a step-by-step plan for facilitating a 90-minute work-shop. You can modify this plan to fit the schedule and needs of your participants.

Planning StepsGet up to speed. review the short video, PowerPoint presentation and resources that accompany this guide to learn more about the role of cre-ativity in education.

Customize your presentation. Craft your presentation to engage specific audiences, to work within your time constraints, and to fit your personal style. Practice your presentation to help it run smoothly.

Promote participation. schedule the event, reserve your meeting space and plan how you’ll arrange the room (e.g., semi-circles promote discussion). Plan where you’ll engage in hands-on activities. several weeks before the event, post the invitational fliers, and reach out to people to encourage participation. Consider communicating via school e-mail, newsletters, Web or social networking sites.

engage a team to help. Collaboration is key. Who can you count on to help set up the space, handle invitations, assist you with the technology for showing the video and PowerPoint, and arrange refreshments? recruit a team to help with these tasks. if the workshop leader isn’t an art teacher, ask for the art teacher’s help with the presentation. As “Chief Creative officers” in schools, art educators’ expertise is invaluable for presenting the content, helping participants benefit from hands-on creative experiences and succeeding in infusing art across the curriculum.

Photo courtesy of Orems Elementary School, Baltimore, MD


Framing a Workshop or Presentation

ObjectivesAfter completing this workshop or presentation, participants will:

• understand why creativity is an essential 21st century skill for students and faculty

• Know the 4 Cs of creativity:

Curiosity Confidence Common, Everyday Experiences Creative Cycle

• understand their role in promoting arts-infused education to keep children’s natural creativity alive

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(Add your own objectives above. For example, if you assign any next steps, such as a “try it in your classroom or at home!” activity for teachers or parents, you might want to capture the expected outcome.)

Customize the Presentation

Sample Outline and Schedule for a 90-Minute Workshop*

10 minutes introductions and Warm-up exercise

10 minutes Video and Brief discussion

20 minutes Hands-on exercise: My Creative experience

10 minutes inspiration for Common, everyday Creative experiences

(For groups that include parents. If you’re facilitating an educator-only group, you could skip this exercise and allow 30 minutes for the Hands-On Exercise: My Creative Experience.)

30 minutes Hands-on exercise: Creating something New from something Familiar

10 minutes summarize Key Points and Plan Next steps

90 minutes * to modify for a shorter session, select the components that fit your schedule and needs.

this presentation works as a stand-

alone workshop or as one module in the five-part series. the five workshops could be delivered in any order and over any time period. Here are some forums where you could present this workshop or share the video and lead a brief discussion:

• Professional develop-ment for the entire fac-ulty at staff meetings or training sessions

• Gatherings of grade-level or subject-area educators

• Parent–teacher, school board or community meetings

• school leadership and innovation meetings—particularly for audiences interested in 21st cen-tury skills and education transformation

You can mix and match the presentation components to fit your needs and your audience. For example:

• use the short video only as the springboard for a 15- to 30-minute discussion

• skip one hands-on exer-cise to shorten the pre-sentation to 60 minutes

• use the handouts to brainstorm ideas to develop creativity in your school community

• develop your own hands-on exercises


Delivering a Workshop or Presentationuse the PowerPoint presentation to support the workshop, keep the audience focused on discussion points and introduce the exercises. the PowerPoint is a framework enriched by information and exercises you will share as the facilitator.

Introductions and Warm-Up Exercise discuss the objectives and the planned activities. Personalize this introduction so that it is relevant to your audience and shows your passion for creativity.

explain that creativity is a highly valued 21st century skill. People need to be creative to manage everyday challenges, take advantage of opportunities and succeed in college and careers. Many employ-ers say they need creative thinkers. in a recent report on workforce preparedness, for example, iBM executives said that creativity is the single most important leadership competency.

Warm-Up Exercise

Understanding Creativity

use this warm-up exercise to get people thinking about creativity.

depending on your schedule and on how well your participants know one another, have people introduce themselves with this exercise. if you have a large group (40 people or more), have them introduce them-selves to people sitting near them. if you have fewer participants, have them introduce themselves to the full group.

Select either of these two options:

• Ask people to generate their defi-nitions of creativity “in their own words.” then, as they introduce themselves, ask them to share that definition (e.g., “My name is Janet Mills and i think creativity means making something origi-nal.” Briefly discuss the common threads in these definitions and point out how closely aligned they are to definitions from cre-ativity experts (see the PowerPoint and the list on the next page).

Or

• use the PowerPoint to share some definitions from creativity experts. Ask people to identify or point to the definition they like best as they introduce themselves.


What Is Creativity?Creativity means “coming up with new ideas that work.”

Creativity is a mindset or “habit of mind” for looking at situations in new ways and creating new ideas.

Creativity is “thinking outside the box” or “divergent thinking.”

Creativity means finding new ways to solve problems and interact with the world.

Creativity is the act of making connections between seemingly unrelated ideas to make something new and appropriate.

Creativity is a learning cycle, an evolving thinking process, that moves from inspiration to exploration, creation and evaluation.

Creativity is the ability to see what’s not there and create something new.

Creativity is more than just brainstorming new ideas. Part of the creative process is deciding which ideas work best for the particular situation or problem. every artist edits, evaluates and revises, building on feedback and inspiration from others.

regardless of how it is defined, creativity encompasses four essential elements: the 4 Cs of creativity. introduce the 4 Cs of creativity that you will explore. distribute the Creativity handout.

Curiosity• Creativity starts with curiosity.

• Children are naturally curious.

Confidence• Confidence is an essential condition for the free flow of original ideas.

• Too often children lose confidence in their creative abilities as they grow up. As creativity expert Ken Robinson says in his book The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything, if you ask a group of kinder-gartners if they think they are creative, every hand will go up. If you ask a group of sixth graders the same question, only a few hands will go up. How do we keep that creative confidence from eroding?

Common, Everyday Experiences• Artists aren’t the only people who are creative.

• Everyone has to come up with creative solutions to everyday challenges.

Creative Cycle• Creative people go through an evolving process to develop, produce and

refine their work.

• Everyone can learn to use the creative cycle: Inspire–Explore–Create–Evaluate.

4 Cs oF Creativity

After you introduce

the 4 Cs of creativity, ask some questions to engage your audience and spark their curiosity:

• How can we keep children’s natural curiosity alive?

• Why do people become less confident in their creative abilities? What can we do to build their confidence?

• How can we incorporate creativity into common, everyday experiences?

• How can we help students and teachers use the creative cycle?


Hands-On ExerciseMy Creative experience

use this exercise to demonstrate that everyone is creative regardless of his or her artistic abilities. this exercise builds creative confidence and teaches the creative cycle.

Creative CycleAsk participants to work in pairs— preferably with someone they don’t know. Ask each participant to remem-ber one experience in which they were proud of something they created. offer some suggestions: A backyard garden? A festive party, celebration or meal? A holiday costume or a home improvement project?

Model the creative cycle of inspire–explore–create–evaluate. use an example from your own life. (Choose an everyday experience, not a visual arts project. You want to convey the idea that creativity is important beyond the arts.) sketch out your inspiration, exploration, creation and evaluation, and talk about how this process could inspire another project. demonstrate that this is a quick sketch process, not an artistic masterpiece.

distribute the Creative Cycle Work-sheet. then ask participants to use markers or crayons and paper to draw the four-step Creative Cycle on the worksheet for their own creative experiences:

inspire. sketch where the idea came from. What was the problem or opportunity? What sparked your interest in this idea?

explore. draw the ideas you explored. What choices did you con-sider? How did you decide which one to use? did you brainstorm different ideas? did you talk with others? did you search for examples of similar projects?

Create. sketch what you created. How did it start? How did the idea grow or change from initial plan to final project?

evaluate. draw what worked well and what could have been improved. What feedback did you get at the time? How did your ideas evolve? How did feedback further inspire a new project?

Ask participants to share their sketches in their paired groups and discuss these questions.

Video and Brief Discussionshow the creativity video. Facilitate a brief discussion. Ask for reac-tions and questions. Ask what resonates.

use this opportunity to deepen curiosity and dispel some myths about creativity and to set up a hands-on exercise.

Dispelling MythsMyth: Creativity is a spe-cial gift that a few people are born with and most people don’t have.

reality: research shows that everyone can be taught to be creative. it is educators’ (and parents’) role to foster curiosity and nurture the creative spirit in young children—and make sure they don’t lose their confidence as they grow older.

Myth: Creativity only matters to artists.

reality: Creativity is a habit of mind that adds value to every aspect of our lives.

Myth: Creative experi-ences are difficult to fit into the curriculum.

reality: Creativity can and should be woven into common, everyday experiences to make the curriculum come alive.

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Inspiration for Common, Everyday Experiences

For groups that include parents, brainstorm ways that common, everyday household and class-room activities could be springboards for creative experiences.

distribute the handout, 52 Creative ideas for 52 Weeks, a great tool to share with families.

Hands-On Exercise Creating Something New from Something Familiar

use this exercise to further explore the Creative Cycle and demonstrate that inspiration can come from common, everyday experiences.

Ask participants to pair up with a new partner. Ask participants to work inde-pendently at first and think about a classic folktale or fairytale they know and turn this familiar story into something new. Ask them to use markers or crayons and paper to sketch a four-frame Colorful Comic that tells the revised story.

inspire. What story do you want to reimagine? What sparked your interest?

explore. What options can you use to retell the story? did you brainstorm first before deciding on one? How many choices did you consider and how did you pick your favorite?

Create. sketch the new story. How are your ideas shown through the images you sketched? What are some of the many ways you can tell the story with words and images?

evaluate. share the Colorful Comic with your partner. see if the partner can understand the new story. evaluate what works and what doesn’t work. How can this feedback inspire another project?

discuss how the Creative Cycle enriches each person’s learning.

Estelle Elementary School in Marrero, LA, made the arts a centerpiece of the study of the Louisiana ecosystem and the impact of Hurricane Katrina and the Gulf oil spill on homes, habitats and livelihoods. Students took a field trip to Jean Lafitte National Park’s Barataria Preserve, left, just a few miles from their school in the Jefferson Parish Public School System. Many students had never visited the pre-serve before. They heard presentations and interviewed experts from Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisher-ies, the U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, among others. They wrote letters to elected officials.

Students documented their learning creatively, painted three vivid tile murals that are now a permanent artifact in the school’s outdoor reading garden, center. Each stu-dent created a 4-by-4 tile to represent the natural flora and fauna of the state, such as alligators, magnolias and crawfish—and the natural catastrophes and human threats to the ecosystem. They also created dioramas of the eco-system, shown with their creators in the two right photos, and videos of their learning. This yearlong project and advocacy campaign integrated the arts, literacy, science and civic education.

Photos and student artwork courtesy of Estelle Elementary School, Marrero, LA


Summarize Key Points and Plan Next StepsKey Points• everyone is creative—and creativity is an important skill in school

and in everyday life.

• the visual arts give people a powerful form of expression—and new ways of seeing the world and making sense of academic content.

• the 4 Cs of Creativity—Curiosity, Confidence, Common everyday experiences and the Creative Cycle—help us understand the key elements of creativity for students and adults.

• the role of teachers and parents is to nurture children’s creativity in the classroom and at home.

Next Steps (Optional)

• introduce your own arts-infused education initiative.

• discuss objectives.

• Assign tasks and deadlines.

" The creative thinking that is required in art helps students to understand new concepts because it gives them the ability to see outside of normal patterns. This really helps in areas like math and logic.

As students' self-confidence grew in art, it also provided an inner strength that they call on in other areas of their lives. Each time students see success, they become more willing to try the next art project, and more willing to take risks. We have seen this risk-taking attitude extend to other curricular areas."

—Karlona Sheppard, Principal,

East Glacier Park Grade School,

East Glacier Park, MT


Evaluatedon’t forget to distribute evaluation forms to collect feedback that will help you plan your next workshop.

Facilitator’s Tools• Creativity Video

• Creativity PowerPoint

• evaluation Form

Handouts for Printing or Photocopying• Creativity

• Creative Cycle Worksheet

• 52 Creative ideas for 52 Weeks http://www.crayola.com/theartofchildhood/docs/52_Creative_ideas_for_52_Weeks.pdf

Art SuppliesHelp participants unleash their inner creativity in hands-on exercises with fun, versatile art supplies. Nothing inspires people more than vibrant colors and sparkling effects on white, black or colored paper. try these Crayola products:

• Color sticks

• Metallic FX Crayons

• Colored Pencils

• Paper

Other Ways to Explore Creativity (Optional)

engage in a School-Wide Creative experience

Many schools set aside a special time to “Drop Everything and Read.” evergreen Mill elementary School in Lees-burg, VA, adapted this promising practice into a school-wide, arts-infused creative experience. Once a month, the entire school drops everything to create. During this time, everyone—students, faculty and support staff—tackles a creative challenge, such as drawing and naming an imagi-nary insect or making an underwater creature from Model Magic. Focusing the entire school on a creative challenge becomes a school-wide collaboration that builds creativity and critical thinking skills. To implement this idea in your school, start brainstorming creative challenges and planning how to organize the experience.

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orems elementary School in Baltimore, MD, created a “Library within a Library,” featuring orig-inal, student-authored and -illustrated books. Students built writing and visual literacy skills as they transformed their thoughts into storylines and beautiful artwork—and worked in collab-orative teams to produce and share their tales.

About the Sponsorsthe Champion Creatively Alive Children program is a collaboration between Crayola and the National Association of elementary school Principals, with support from the National Art education Association and the Partnership for 21st Century skills.

http://www.crayola.com/

http://www.naesp.org/

http://www.arteducators.org/

http://www.p21.org/

Photos and student artwork courtesy of Orems Elementary School, Baltimore, MD

Program Concept and development by Cheri sterman, director, Content & Consumer relationships, Crayola

Writing and Design by Vockley•Lang

Photography except where noted by John Pinderhughes

Not for sale. Available for free at www.Crayola.com/creativelyalive

© 2011 Crayola llC. serpentine design® PowerPoint is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

champion creatively - crayola · 2012-12-17 · champion creatively alive children series. the 4...

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