WEEKLY WHITEBOARD ??
8billionideas
Our mission is to give every student on the planet the skills and belief to change the world.
In polls of teachers, parents, and employers, creativity regularly tops the list of the most valued skills for students to develop.?
In the last Weekly Whiteboard, we explored the most common challenges/mindsets of integrating soft skills into the curriculum and simple ways to start solving them. This week, we'll highlight three unique classroom activities designed to ignite the creative spark in students instantly.
The 2022 Program for International Student Assessment, or PISA, measured the creative thinking of 15-year-old students across 64 countries and education systems and released the report with interesting data last week.
Top Performers: Singapore, Latvia, Korea, and Denmark excelled, with most students generating original ideas.
For England, the report revealed that secondary school students feel less able to express ideas at school and are less likely to report being able to take part in creative activities compared with their peers in many other countries.
With this in mind, here's what we'll cover in this edition. ???
?? Instant creativity boosters: Short activities to give your students an instant boost of creativity at any time of the day.
News updates that matter:?
?? Quick giggles for the classroom:
?What did one math book say to the other?
"Don’t bother me, I’ve got my own problems!" ???
FRIDAY SPOTLIGHT: INSTANT CREATIVITY CATALYSTS
By incorporating instant creativity boosters into various mini-time slots throughout the day or week, you can ensure that students have regular opportunities to engage in creative thinking and quickly integrate it into their daily routines.
Here are three activity ideas:
?? Quick writing prompts: This is a powerful way to ignite students' imaginations and improve their writing skills. These prompts can be tailored to any subject and encourage students to think creatively and express themselves in new ways. For example, ask students to write a short story about an imaginary creature they saw on their way to school or describe a world where everyone has a superpower.
?? The 'What If' scenarios: This challenge is an engaging exercise that encourages students to think beyond the boundaries of reality. Students are divided into groups and presented with a series of 'What If' questions that prompt them to imagine alternate realities or outcomes. For example, 'What if humans could fly?' or 'What if there were no gravity for a day?'. This activity encourages imagination, collaborative brainstorming, and critical thinking.
?? Silent story swap: This is an intriguing activity that combines creative writing and teamwork. Students start writing a story and then pass it on to a classmate, who continues it without verbal communication. Give each student a piece of paper and ask them to write the first sentence of a story. After one minute, have them pass their paper to the student next to them, who will then continue the story. At the end, have a few students read the completed stories aloud, highlighting the exercise's creative, collaborative, and unpredictable nature.
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TOP THREE EDUCATION UPDATES ??
The latest news: ?
1?? Education Gap Crisis: A critical three-year period between the ages of 11 and 14 has been identified as the point at which talented children from low-income backgrounds fall behind their wealthier peers at school, according to new research. Initially progressing at similar rates, by age 16, wealthier students achieve higher exam grades and are more likely to pursue A-levels. Researchers also found that after the early years of secondary school, those from low-income backgrounds were more likely to have contact with the police, lower self-esteem, and negative attitudes towards education.
Why it matters: Addressing the education gap between low-income and wealthy students during critical early secondary school years is crucial for improving social mobility and diversity in professional fields.?(Via The Guardian)
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2?? Inspection intermission: School heads in the UAE praised the Dubai education regulator's decision to temporarily halt inspections, noting benefits like enhanced stability and reduced administrative workload. This pause allows schools to focus on implementing previous improvements, innovative teaching, and holistic student achievement. The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) will continue monitoring specific areas and providing focus areas, with schools updating self-evaluation forms and profiles regularly.
Why it matters: This pause in inspections allows UAE schools to focus on improving teaching quality and student outcomes while reducing administrative burdens. (Via Khaleej Times)
3?? Menstrual health education: A new study reveals inadequate menstrual health education in English schools, with lessons focusing mainly on biology and lacking practical information. Nearly 70% of students reported receiving no practical guidance, and most were not taught about menstrual health conditions or abnormal symptoms. As a result, over 62% rated their education as 'poor' or 'very poor' in preparing them to manage menstruation.
Why it matters: Inadequate menstrual health education leaves students unprepared to manage menstruation, perpetuating stigma and negatively impacting their well-being. ?(Via Mirage News)
"Children must be taught how to think, not what to think." - Margaret Mead
Memorable Moments: Programme Highlights & Student Creations ??
This sounds fantastic! While your focus is on students, at [Your Startup Name] we see a need for creativity boosters for patent lawyers as well. The legal field can be demanding, but fresh thinking is essential for innovation. Do your creativity boosters include any tips on overcoming mental blocks or sparking new ideas in a structured environment? We'd love to see if some could be adapted for patent professionals!