101 Ways For Teachers To Be More Creative [Updated]
by TeachThought Staff
Creativity isn’t always something that just happens. It can take quite a bit of work to nurture, grow, and develop creativity, even for those who are immersed in creative and dynamic fields.
For educators, it can be even more of a challenge to inspire creativity in students or embrace your own creativity while trying to juggle academic requirements, testing, and other issues in the classroom. It may be difficult but it’s certainly not impossible, and accomplishing it can help to create a classroom environment that’s more motivational, interesting, and educational for both you and your students.
See also How To Use Flexible Grouping In The Classroom
So how do you get there? Here are some tips that can help you get creative in the classroom in a variety of ways.
FINDING CREATIVE INSPIRATION
Not sure where to begin? These tips will help you master the fundamentals and take the critical first step towards a more creative classroom.
EDUCATE YOURSELF
Don’t know much about creativity? Then learn! These tips will help you to become a creativity expert.
BE OPEN TO NEW IDEAS
Even the most open-minded of us sometimes get stuck in a rut and can’t see that there are other, potentially better ways of doing things. Break out of that and try to be open to new ideas, even if they seem strange at first.
THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX
Stop thinking about your classroom within strictly confined terms and be open to ideas that are outside of the norm. You might just find a creative idea that transforms some of your lessons.
FIND EXCITEMENT
One way to get your brain thinking creatively is to start learning about things that excite you. That excitement tends to get the brain motivated, and a motivated brain is an active and creative one.
GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE
It’s hard to push yourself out of your comfort zone, but it may be just what you need to really get creative. Work with new groups of students, teach new topics, or try out something you’re not comfortable with. It might work, it might not, but you’ll never know if you don’t try.
FIND INSPIRATIONAL PLACES
Some lucky people may be able to find inspiration in a broom closet, but others of us need a place that pushes us toward inspiration. Whether it’s a park, your living room, or even a place in your school, head there and get your creative juices flowing.
RELAX
While some people work better under stress, most of us find it to be a creativity killer. To really get in touch with your creative side, relax and don’t force ideas to come.
LOOK FOR IDEAS EVERYWHERE
Amazing ideas can come from anywhere at any time so always keep your eyes, ears, and mind open!
TAKE UP A HOBBY
Setting aside teaching in favor of some other interest for a few hours a day can help you return to your work with renewed passion and interest.
FOLLOW A PASSION
Love something? Pursue it! Your passion will likely leave you feeling excited, inspired, and ready to get creative.
GET ACTIVE
Your brain needs lots of oxygen to think, and exercise gets it there faster.
CONSIDER MEDITATION
Sometimes you just need to clear your mind of all the old clutter to be able to open it up to new, innovative ideas.
PLAY TO YOUR STRENGTHS
While challenging yourself is great, it can be tiring. Work with your strengths in your creative journey as well, and you’re much less likely to feel burnt out.
CAPITALIZING ON THE CREATIVE SPARK
SET ASIDE TIME FOR CREATIVE THINKING
It’s hard to be creative when you don’t have any time to even do so much as think about being creative. Make it a priority to set aside a few minutes of your day for free thinking and ensure that your students aren’t so overwhelmed with homework that they don’t have time to be creative.
DEVELOP CREATIVE IDEAS, DON’T LET THEM DIE
It’s not enough to just come up with a creative idea; you have to follow through. Be willing to spend the time nurturing your ideas and developing them into something worthwhile and useful. Encourage students to do the same.
CARRY A NOTEBOOK
Inspiration can strike at any time, so make sure you’ve got a way to record it when it does by carrying a small notebook with you.
SILENCE YOUR INNER CRITIC
When it comes to creativity, we’re often our own worst enemies. Work hard to stop yourself from being overly critical and unkind to yourself and work through ideas without judgment.
KEEP YOUR MIND SHARP
Much like your muscles, your brain can get weak if you’re not pushing it. Read, learn, and challenge your own mind to keep it sharp. You’ll not only be more creative, but you’ll also likely be a better teacher for it.
LOVE WHAT YOU DO
Nothing will make you feel more creative and inspired than truly loving what you do. If you’re feeling stressed, remind yourself how great your job really is. It’s bound to help you feel a little more creative and inspired.
IMAGINE YOUR CLASSROOM AS A BUSINESS
If you were an art director or innovation manager, how would you inspire your employees? Use those same tactics in your classroom!
CELEBRATE SUCCESSFUL FAILURES
Did your lesson tank? Did you have a great idea that didn’t pan out? Don’t get yourself down. Failure is part of the creative process, and sometimes failures can actually be great successes if they teach you something in the process.
OWN YOUR IDEAS
It’s fine to use ideas that originate with others, but don’t borrow: buy in completely. Even when you’re inspired by someone else’s style or ideas, make them your own by improving them, changing them, or personalizing them in some way.
SUSPEND JUDGMENT
The best ideas always sound a little crazy at first. Suspend judgment until you have all the information.
EXPLORE ALL POSSIBILITIES
When you write off certain things as being impossible, then you limit your creative potential. Explore possibilities fully, even if you think they’re a long shot.
EMBRACE WEIRDNESS
When it comes to creativity, weirdness is usually a good thing. Go with it. It may lead you just where you want to go.