Countdown to Creativity: My Top 6 Most Engaging Lessons

One of the things we talk about a lot is how important it is for students to be engaged in the learning atmosphere. If we just do the same old tired activities, class can become boring pretty quickly. However, when we tap into our creativity as teachers, we can make learning more engaging and fun for everyone involved. Over my 19 years as an educator, I’ve had the privilege of teaching many different lessons, and I’ve always aimed to find creative approaches to keep students excited and curious about learning.

Below are some of my all-time favorite creative lessons and units, counting down from 6 to 1:

6. Writing Alternate Endings for "The Book of Sand"

While "The Book of Sand" may not have been the most popular short story with students, this unit sparked a surprising amount of creativity. The short story itself has an open ending, so I taught my high school students how to write creatively and had them write their own conclusions to the story.

Outcome: What emerged from this activity was a collection of imaginative, varied endings that reflected each student’s unique interpretation of the story. We compiled all of these into a class anthology—a binder that became an ongoing resource in our classroom. Students loved revisiting the binder during free time, reading each other’s endings, and laughing or marveling at the different takes on the story. It fostered a sense of shared creativity, and students often encouraged each other to explore more writing. The collaborative nature of this final product extended beyond the immediate lesson and remained a lasting memory for the class.

5. Creative Assessments for "The Tragedy of Julius Caesar" and "Of Mice and Men"

For these units, I introduced choice-based final assessments. I provided students with a list of different ways they could show their understanding of the text, but the real magic happened when I added the option for them to create their own assessment format under the “Other” category, pending my approval. This led to some incredibly unique and inventive projects that I never anticipated.

Outcome: I received a variety of assessment submissions, ranging from newspapers detailing events in Julius Caesar, complete with articles, editorials, and even advertisements, to original artwork and music. Some students formed a band and performed live songs inspired by the themes of the play and novel. The level of effort and passion they poured into these projects surpassed any traditional written exam or essay. In fact, one of the paintings from Of Mice and Men was so impressive that I’ve kept it hanging in my classroom for years. These choice-based assessments allowed students to use their own strengths and interests, making their understanding of the text far more personal and memorable.

4. Poetry Books with Literary Devices

During our poetry unit, after studying various literary devices, I tasked students with writing two poems for each device. Then, they had to create their own book of poetry to display their work. The creativity students displayed in designing their poetry books was truly incredible.

Outcome: Some students kept it simple with construction paper and staples, but others took this project to an entirely different level. I had students who created hardcover books, and others who made intricate scrapbooks with magazine cutouts, fabrics, and other materials to visually complement their poems. This project gave students ownership over their learning, and many of them felt proud enough to share their final product with friends and family. I found that students engaged deeply with poetry because they were not only writing but also crafting something tangible and artistic. By connecting their personal creativity with the literary skills we were practicing, students demonstrated a more robust understanding of poetic devices and how they function within writing.

3. Transcendentalism with Emerson, Thoreau, and Classroom Nature Scenes

When we studied transcendentalism, specifically the works of Emerson and Thoreau, I knew it would be difficult for students in an urban area to connect with the texts’ themes about nature. So, I decided to bring nature to the classroom. I split students into groups, and each group designed a corner of our classroom to represent different natural landscapes.

Outcome: The results were fantastic. Students got incredibly creative with their use of materials—some brought in twigs, leaves, and rocks from outside, while others made water features out of butcher paper and fabric. One corner had a waterfall scene, another represented outer space, and we even had a forest area complete with a tree canopy made from painted cardboard. As we read Walden and discussed nature, the classroom environment made those themes feel more real and relatable. The students were so invested in the experience that they asked if we could keep the nature scenes up for the rest of the semester. These spaces made our class discussions more immersive, helping students connect with the material in a way that a traditional classroom setup just couldn’t.

2. A Full-Scale Production of "Frankenstein"

At the end of our Frankenstein unit, I wanted to do something big, especially since I was teaching seniors who were just a few weeks away from graduation. Rather than a written final, I decided that we would put on a full production of Frankenstein. Students were split into groups, and each group had a specific role in bringing the production to life—some were responsible for costumes, others for sound, lighting, and set design, and we even had actors and a student director.

Outcome: What made this project so special was the way students completely took ownership of it. I had students who were passionate about fashion create an actual dress for Elizabeth’s character. Our sound team brought in a soundboard from home to create an authentic audio experience. The level of collaboration was astounding, and we even performed the play for multiple audiences—students, staff, and even families during an evening production. The entire experience taught students about teamwork, time management, and creative problem-solving, but most importantly, it engaged them in a way that no written exam ever could. It’s still one of the most rewarding and memorable projects I’ve been a part of as a teacher.

1. The Baseball-Themed Unit for "The Natural"

For The Natural, a novel about baseball, I wanted to find a way to make the material engaging for students, even those who didn’t care much about sports. I turned the reading into a full-fledged classroom competition, complete with teams, logos, standings, and playoffs. Every group of students was assigned to a baseball team, and every quiz, vocabulary assignment, and activity they completed earned them runs for their team.

Outcome: The students became completely invested in this competition. We had the American League in one class and the National League in the other, and every day teams played against each other. The kids were so excited to check the standings that they started trash-talking each other, but in a fun and motivating way. They would rush into class asking who won the previous day’s game, and someone would eagerly update the scoreboard. By the time we got to the playoffs, it was all anyone could talk about. The final exam became the “World Series,” and the competitive nature of the unit had every student more engaged with the material than I had ever seen in a literature class. This unit wasn’t just about reading a novel—it was about teamwork, strategy, and applying lessons from the book in a creative, competitive way. It remains my all-time favorite unit because of how much it got the students to care, not just about the grade, but about the learning process itself.

Being creative in the classroom isn’t just about doing something different for the sake of it. It’s about engaging students, making learning more enjoyable, and allowing them to see how passionate we are about teaching. When we bring our creativity into the classroom, it shines through, and students respond with excitement and engagement. So tap into your creative instincts, and you’ll be amazed at how much it can transform your students’ learning experience.