Encouraging Creativity in Lesson Plans

Advertisement

Originally published in TEACH Magazine, July/August 2020 Issue

By Adam Stone

As a Grade 7 language arts teacher at Dexter McCarty Middle School in Gresham, OR, Kayleigh Wright has a clear vision of where any given lesson plan ought to lead. “I don’t just want a kid who can quote Shakespeare’s sonnets,” she says. “I want someone who can solve problems, who can be a strong contributing member of society, and who can also make connections between their lives and a story or a sonnet they have read.”

What she wants, in short, is a K–12 lesson plan that fosters creativity, self-expression, and self-discovery.

This is not easily achieved, says Cassie Tabrizi, CEO of educational consultancy, Create-abilities. “It can be incredibly easy to treat lesson planning like a checklist. Objective: check. Standards: check. Activity: check,” she says.

Education experts say there is a better way. A thoughtful lesson plan can encourage exploration, freeing kids to speak in their own voices and infusing creativity into the learning process. Parents and teachers see the value in this: Gallup research found 87 percent of teachers and 77 percent of parents say teaching that incorporates creativity in the learning process has a bigger payoff for students.

Subscribe to Keep Reading

🔑 You’re one step away from unlocking premium content.
Subscribe now for just $15.99/year and get full access!
If you’re already subscribed, please .

Adam Stone is a seasoned journalist with 20+ years’ experience. He covers education, technology, government, and the military, along with diverse other topics.

Education News

Nominations Open for Heroes of the Classroom Teacher Recognition Program

Nominations are accepted through August 3. Ten finalists will advance to a public vote for the chance to win the Grand Prize—valued at approximately $16,000 in cash and prizes.

New School Safety Trends Report Shows Training and Technology Are Saving Lives in U.S. Schools

CENTEGIX’s 2025 School Safety Trends Report reveals a national movement toward proactive, integrated school safety strategies, including campus mapping.

Girls Experienced Disproportionate Setbacks in STEM Skills Post-COVID

COVID-19 has been an unequal crisis, disrupting learning more deeply for some student groups than others.

For 8th Straight Year, 100% of Success Academy Grads Accepted to 4-Year Colleges

66% of students were accepted to selective institutions. Graduates were awarded more than $20 million in financial aid.

Join Our Newsletter

Get 10% off a subscription, monthly giveaways, and the latest updates—straight to your inbox!

Adam Stone
Adam Stone
Adam Stone is a seasoned journalist with 20+ years’ experience. He covers education, technology, government, and the military, along with diverse other topics.

Advertisement

Read More

The Power of Music and Melody: Using Songs to Engage Young Learners

By harnessing the power of music, teachers can create a lively and dynamic atmosphere that also improves concentration, focus, and retention.

Nominations Open for Heroes of the Classroom Teacher Recognition Program

Nominations are accepted through August 3. Ten finalists will advance to a public vote for the chance to win the Grand Prize—valued at approximately $16,000 in cash and prizes.

Real (and Really Funny) Math

I'm an author of math books, which may sound like a dry job, but that’s exactly why I do it. It’s my goal to show kids that math can be fun (and funny!)

New School Safety Trends Report Shows Training and Technology Are Saving Lives in U.S. Schools

CENTEGIX’s 2025 School Safety Trends Report reveals a national movement toward proactive, integrated school safety strategies, including campus mapping.

Exploring Indigenous Culture Through the Senses: A Transformative Learning Experience

At McKenzie Towne School in Alberta, students are learning through touch, scent, and sound with the Indigenous Sensory Box Project.

The Positive Impacts of Computer Science: What Every Teacher and Administrator Should Know

After working as both a teacher and an administrator, I know how much of a difference it can make when school leaders truly appreciate the power of computer science.
777 com casino | slot machine occasion | thienhabet nett | choctaw casino | tansuat loto | vua hai tac zing | juegos de casino online con dinero real | foxin wins slot | f88 la gì | forest slot | dnailis 2021 | eurogrand casino | k8vn | star casino sydney | winner casino app android | online casino mobile bonus | moby dick slot | phu quoc casino | irish casino sites | slots of vegas casino | cambodia casino | link sopcast bong da hom nay | 2fb live | jungle jackpots slot | biggest casino bonus | slots 500 | giấc mơ phát tài tập cuối | lỗi load a4 paper in manual feed slot | casino mobile slots | xnxx 16th | lich futsal world cup 2021 | mobileblog | 1 hiệp bóng chuyền bao nhiều phút | lucky89 casino | ca si giau mat chung ket | chơi casino trực tuyến chỉ có thua | bong888 com | truyện tranh sex màu | xổ số bạc liêu ngày 6 tháng 9 | charlestown races and slots | tv casino | ku casino us | golden cherry casino no deposit codes | slotsmillion casino | casino corona phú quốc | wapvip com | peggle slots | xin một slot | lich thi dau chung ket the gioi lmht 2016 | casino del bel respiro | tha casino | scandibet casino | best slot machine games | double up casino slot machines |