Creative Thinking Prompt: DIAVOLO | Architecture in Motion®

Combination, Creative Expression, Creative Thinking Prompts, Originality, , ,

Creative Thinking Prompt: DIAVOLO | Architecture in Motion®

Creative expression + creative movement + environment + inter- and intra- relationships = DIAVOLO

Diavolo’s mission statement is to explore the relation and interaction between the human body and its architectural environment to understand how we are being affected not only socially, but physically and emotionally. Dancers fly through the air from structures designed by Jacques Heim. Their acrobatic dance performance incorporates strength as well as emotion to tell a story.

In 1992, French-born choreographer and visionary Jacques Heim created DIAVOLO, an acrobatic dance company that incorporates unique geometric-architectural props. Diavolo stands for “I fly” in Latin and “day” in Spanish. Currently, they are competing on the TV show, America’s Got Talent.

To learn more about Diavolo, visit:

https://www.diavolo.org

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oc2hrLbvXMg

The Green Umbrella

Flexible Thinking, Imagination, Picture Books,

“The Green Umbrella”

On a rainy day, Elephant went for a walk with his green umbrella. Along the way, he encounters animals that think his umbrella is something else. Hedgehog thinks it’s a boat while Cat thinks it’s a tent. Bear thinks it’s a flying machine. Elephant tells them that they are mistaken. Eventually, Elephant shares his umbrella with his new friends.

This book promotes flexible thinking and imagination.

TITLE: The Green Umbrella

AUTHOR: Jackie Azúa Kramer

ILLUSTRATOR: Maral Sassouni

PUBLISHER: NorthSouth Books Inc., 2017

AGE GROUP: 5-8

CREATIVE COMPONENTS: flexible thinking, imagination

LEARNING EXTENSIONS:

1) Change the color of the green umbrella. Brainstorm a list of other things the umbrella can be.

2) Elephant used his umbrella to protect himself from the rain and the sun. What are some other things that serve the same purpose? Pick one item from that list. What else can that item be used for? 

EXTENDING CONNECTIONS:

To learn more about author Jackie Azúa Kramer, visit:

https://www.jackieazuakramer.com

To learn more about illustrator Maral Sassouni, visit:

http://maralsassouni.com

Creative Thinking Prompt: Wizard of Oz

Creative Process, Creative Thinking Prompts, Perspective, Role-playing, ,

Creative Thinking Prompt: Wizard of Oz

Create an alternate storyline for Dorothy and the Wizard.

Pretend you are Dorothy and you are traveling the yellow brick road to see the wizard. The road isn’t yellow, it’s ______ (color) and it’s made of ________. Why do you need to see the Wizard? As you travel you come across four travelers: ___________, ______________, ____________, and _________ who also need to see the Wizard. Why do they need to see the Wizard? When you meet the Wizard, what does she/he look like? What power does the Wizard have to grant your wish? Will your wish be granted? If not, what happens next? If yes, what happens next?

OR

What if Dorothy and the Wizard switch places and the Wizard visits Dorothy because she has the power to grant wishes?

Ed Emberley’s ABC

Flexible Thinking, Imagination, Nature, Picture Books, , ,

“Ed Emberley’s ABC”

Each letter of the alphabet tells a visual story while demonstrating how to write the letter by using an animal whose name begins with that letter writing the letter using an item which also begins with that letter.

Zebra rides a Zeppelin blimp, stringing lights as he goes to form the letter Z.

In the back of the book, Emberley demonstrates how to write each alphabet letter and lists items to find on each letter page (items start with that specific letter).

This book promotes creativity, imagination, nature and flexible thinking.

TITLE: A Child of Books

AUTHOR: Ed Emberley

ILLUSTRATOR: Ed Emberley

PUBLISHER: Little, Brown and Company, 1978

AGE GROUP: 4-6

CREATIVE COMPONENTS: creativity, imagination, nature, flexible thinking

LEARNING EXTENSIONS:

1) What’s your favorite word? In what ways might you connect each letter to form your word? Remember there is no right or wrong answer. Get creative.

2) Brainstorm a list of animals that start with a letter of the alphabet. Pick one animal from that list. What trait(s) of that animal can be used to show how to write the letter? Sketch it out.

EXTENDING CONNECTIONS:

To learn more about author/illustrator Ed Emberley, visit:

http://www.edemberley.com/pages/main.aspx

Creative Thinking Prompt: Feed Your Imagination

Creative Thinking Prompts, Imagination, Wonder, ,

Creative Thinking Prompt: Feed Your Imagination

Imagination is more important than knowledge. – Albert Einstein

How do you feed your imagination? What fills you with wonder?

To get started, answer these questions.

When do you feel inspired?

What inspires you?

Why does ______ inspire you?

Where do you feel inspired?

Who inspires you?

How does _______ inspire you?

Brainstorm ways to spark your imagination and inspire wonder. Pick one thing to do each day.

Here are a few to try.

Take a walk outside.

View something in a way you haven’t looked at it before.

Go to a discovery museum.

Play.

Read a book that has no words.

Daydream.

Look at the stars.

Fingerpaint.

And remember…

take time to fuel your imagination often.

Imogene’s Antlers

Creative Problem Solving, Imagination, Picture Books, Wonder, , ,

“Imogene’s Antlers”

An oldie but a goodie, Imogene’s Antlers still delivers a creative, entertaining story after being published 32 years old ago.

Opening line: “On Thursday, when Imogene woke up she found she had grown antlers.”

While family and friends help to rid Imogene of her antlers, Imogene takes a different approach and uses her antlers for other purposes.

Watch for the clever story ending.

This book promotes imagination, wonder and creative problem solving.

TITLE: Imogene’s Antlers

AUTHOR: David Small

ILLUSTRATOR: David Small

PUBLISHER: Crown Publishers, 1985

AGE GROUP: 5-7

CREATIVE COMPONENTS: imagination, wonder, creative problem solving

LEARNING EXTENSIONS:

1) When you have finished reading the book, continue Imogene’s story by writing about what happens next.

2) In addition to Imogene’s creative solutions, what else could she use her antlers for? Try to think up at least five more uses.

3) If you were to discover that you woke up with an animal body part, what body part would it be, how would you react, and what could you use that additional part for?

EXTENDING CONNECTIONS:

To learn more about author/illustrator David Small, visit:

http://www.davidsmallbooks.com

Creative Thinking Prompt: Flower Portrait Art

Creative Thinking Prompts, Imagination, Nature, Originality, Wonder, , , ,

Creative Thinking Prompt:  Flower Portrait Art

Do as artist Vicki of the Sister Golden Company does, create portraits with nature. Take a walk, collecting nature items such as twigs, petals, acorns, seeds, sand, flowers, leaves, etc. Ask permission before taking and/or cutting flowers. Sketch out your portrait idea. Use a flat surface such as a sidewalk to create your art. When you are done, take a picture and then allow nature to take your art wherever the wind may blow.

To view more flower portrait and nature art, visit:

https://sistergolden.com/collections/flower-art

http://www.boredpanda.com/portraits-from-flowers-twigs-sister-golden/

Necks Out For Adventure

Originality, Picture Books, Taking risks, , ,

“Necks Out For Adventure! The True Story of Edwin Wiggleskin”

Edwin, a Wiggleskin, asks his mom a very big question.

“What would happen if we flowed with the current?” The others laugh but his mom says, “Stick your neck out for adventure like you always do.” One day a terrible smell comes with two feet and two hands and scoops up all the Wiggleskins except Edwin.

Edwin gathers his courage and pops from his shell. He rides a big wave until he smells a terrible smell. Edwin rescues the Wiggleskins by teaching them “Necks out” to shuck their shells and run back to the ocean.

This book promotes creativity, courage, and risk-taking.

TITLE: Necks Out For Adventure! The True Story of Edwin Wiggleskin

AUTHOR: Timothy Basil Ering

ILLUSTRATOR: Timothy Basil Ering

PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press, 2008

AGE GROUP: 6-9

CREATIVE COMPONENTS: creativity, courage, risk-taking

LEARNING EXTENSIONS:

1) Author Timothy Basil Ering doesn’t call a clam a clam. Instead he creates a new name, “wiggleskins.” Make a list of animals you’d find at the ocean. Next to each animal write another name for it. As you think up these new names, consider the animal’s attributes, habits and appearance.

2) What makes up an adventure? In your words, define the word adventure. What types of adventures interest you? Describe an adventure you’d like to take.

EXTENDING CONNECTIONS:

To learn more about author/illustrator Timothy Basil Ering, visit:

http://www.encyclopedia.com/children/scholarly-magazines/ering-timothy-basil

Creative Thinking Prompt: Bubbles, Bubbles, Bubbles

Creative Thinking Prompts, Imagination,

Creative Thinking Prompt: Bubbles, Bubbles, Bubbles

Make your own bubble blowing wands to create unique bubbles.

Materials:  pipecleaners,  low gauge wire

Bend into shapes. Dip into bubble solution. Blow.

What happened? Were your bubbles the shape of your wand? How big or small were your bubbles? How many bubbles can you blow before having to dip your wand back into the solution?

Blow bubbles onto a piece of paper to make bubble art. Color the bubble solution with drops of food coloring.

Write your name using bubble letters. Blow colored bubbles onto your bubble letters.

@www.graffitidiplomacy.com

Think Deeper: Create an image using bubbles to “color” your image. And experiment with ingredients to make your own bubble recipe.

http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/make-and-decorate/crafts/the-two-best-homemade-soap-bubble-recipes

 

Good News Bad News

Perspective, Picture Books, ,

“Good News Bad News”

Using only four words, author/illustrator Jeff Mack creates an engaging, fun story. Rabbit and Mouse go on a picnic. Bad news, it starts to rain. Good news, Rabbit has an umbrella.

Each good news for Rabbit is bad news for Mouse.

Rabbit turns each bad news into good news but when he gets sad, Mouse must turn bad news into good news.

This book promotes different perspective and creativity.

TITLE:  Good News Bad News

AUTHOR: Jeff Mack

ILLUSTRATOR: Jeff Mack

PUBLISHER: Chronicle Books, 2012

AGE GROUP: 4-6

CREATIVE COMPONENTS: different perspective, creativity

LEARNING EXTENSIONS:

1) How might you turn something that seems “bad news” into “good news”?

2) Create your own cause and effect (good news, bad news) story about going to the park. 

EXTENDING CONNECTIONS:

To learn more about author/illustrator Jeff Mack, visit:

http://www.jeffmack.com