GATE Activities

Digital Extension and Enrichment Resources

Foster Creativity

While some of our students live completely outside the box, others may need a little coaching on how to be an out-of-the-box creative thinker. The activities in this newsletter will encourage creative, critical, and divergent thinking for all students at any grade level.

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101 Uses for a Dried-Up Pen

This is a great "round robin" activity for a classroom warm up to get students thinking outside the box. Rather than tossing those old dried-up pens, what else could they be used for? You'll be surprised by the kinds of responses your students will come up with.

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What If?

Generating creative story ideas in writing can be a challenge for some students. However, when students are given the option to "draw" random "characters", "settings", and "actions" from different containers that lead to an immediate storyline, the creative juices really start flowing.

For example: What if "A florist in Italy goes skydiving..."?

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Dictionary Game

If you've played "Balderdash", you're familiar with this one. Select a dictionary entry and share the word with your group. Everyone creates their own elaborate definition to the unknown term. Read the definitions, including the original piece from the dictionary. Everyone votes on the response they think is the best. The person who created the definition with the most votes wins the round.

Promote Out-of-the-Box Thinking

10 Ways to Think Outside the Box

Creative Thinking Exercises

Lateral Thinking Questions

Need help?

Is your team or department looking for new ideas to engage students in your curriculum? Would you like to add creative and critical thinking activities to your lessons? Do your GATE and high achieving students need more? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, click the bookings button below and schedule a time for me to "zoom in" and assist you.

GATE TOSA Bookings Calendar