In this lesson on creativity we emphasize the importance of imagination and originality that each child possesses. During discussion and activities, students are encouraged to use all of their senses as well as their imagination as they are presented a variety of different artistic styles to examine and evaluate. By discussing a wide variety of styles, students gain a better understanding of how artistic appreciation is as unique and individual as each one of them. This lesson contains many questions to encourage creative thinking. Encourage your students to 'stretch' their imagination.

Before the lesson: Ask the students, "Do you know what it means to 'create' something? Have you ever created something that made you really proud? Did you use your imagination today? How? Do you like to create art? Is everyone's art the same?

"What is Creativity?"
The cartoon character Jean narrates this lesson as imagination is explored. Students are shown a simple image of a cartoon fish. They will recognize it as a fish, but are then told to use their imagination to make the fish more interesting. Students are instructed to close their eyes and image the fish singing and dancing.

"Imagine a Fish"
Hands-on activity - Children now transfer the creative image of their fish onto paper as best as they can. Provide students with paper and markers to draw their fish. Some students may require assistance to be able to draw features as they imagine them. Ask questions to determine what they intend to draw, if necessary. Students then take turns describing their fish to the rest of the class. Teachers should point out that each fish is wonderful, different, and unique. No two are alike, just like the students. Students are reminded that they are using imagination and creativity.

"Fish in Art"
Touch-screen activity - To illustrate different styles of artistic expression further, a variety of images of fish in art is presented on the Learning Station. Students are asked to discuss and debate which of the images look like 'art'. Encourage the students to express their own opinions regarding the images as they answer questions presented. Then, after discussing their preferences, students can touch each image on the Learning Station to learn more about the artistic style, presentation and tools used to create each piece of fish art. The first time an icon is touched, the image will appear full-screen while the student discusses his/her preferences and opinion. After the student's analysis, the image should be touched again to hear information about the art. (This is described in the dialog directions). Encourage the students to listen carefully, as interesting information about the art and artist is provided. Then, questions about the information and image are asked for the students to discuss. Encourage the students to express their opinions in full sentences.

"Sculpture"
Jean presents a variety of sculptures to introduce another creative art form. Some students may not have considered sculpture a form of art. Talk about sculptures students may be familiar with in your area. Again, many questions are asked by the dialog to stimulate the students to stretch their imagination. An emphasis is placed on the positive aspect of art being varied and unique, just like people.
Hands-on activity - to demonstrate another way students can express their imagination and creativity, students are instructed to make their own creative fish sculpture. Teachers should provide clay or play dough for this activity. If possible, provide clay such as SCULPEY or FIMO (available in craft stores in block form) that can be formed, then baked to create a permanent sculpture. (*see note at end of supply list regarding this clay). Students are encouraged to create a fish of their own imagination. It might not look like a traditional fish at all. Teachers should again encourage the students to stretch their imaginations. If possible, also provide buttons, stones, feathers, shells, etc. to add to the fish. Some students who have difficulty drawing or coloring may find this activity an easier and more rewarding form of expression. After the fish have been created, students are encouraged to describe their unique creations using full sentences. (If the clay is to be baked, this can be done at any time after the activity.)

"The Five Senses"
In this part of the lesson, students are shown how we use all of our senses to appreciate creativity of all kinds. As touch, sight, smell, hearing and taste are presented, students are encouraged to stretch their imaginations as they answer questions from the Learning Station dialog. Students should be encouraged to use their listening skills throughout this activity. Some of the questions are concrete and easy to answer, while others are more abstract and may be difficult for younger children who have not yet started abstract thinking.
Hands-on activity - Teachers provide a bag or bags of 'mystery' items for students to identify by using their sense of touch. Some interesting items might be seaweed, fur, shells, sand, leaves, or something 'squishy' in a plastic bag, such as gelatin or jelly. Sense of smell can be explored with perfume, oil, vinegar, or fish. Teachers can determine what each individual school policy exists for snacks to taste, such as sweet, sour, bitter, salty. This could be a good time for a snack break. Teachers should use their creativity to make interesting bags of mystery items, as this is a fun experiment.

"Using Imagination in Art"
Touch-screen - This part of the lesson exposes the students to a diverse variety of artistic images and styles throughout history. Four classic art images are presented on the Learning Station. Students are encouraged to examine each image and determine what emotion or impression is felt. Students are then instructed to choose a picture to talk about. The chosen image will appear full screen. Questions are asked about the art image to encourage closer examination by the students. They are also provided with facts about the artist and the style or method utilized. Teachers should again stress that art is unique and individual and that it is okay if they do not like some of the styles or images. Cartoon character Jean then demonstrates to the students how she would imagine herself in the art. Students are encouraged to do the same. Instruct students to talk about what they would do, how they would feel, etc. The dialog asks many of these questions, so teachers can guide the discussion appropriately.

"Create Your Own Character"
Touch-screen game - This simple game allows the students to move icon shapes on the Learning Station to create an artistic image using shapes, color and imagination. Because they just explored detailed artistic expressions, remind the students that simple images are also artistic. The images can be moved as often as desired. Students are then instructed to make a sound representing their character. Because this is another expression of creativity, there are no right or wrong noises or sounds to 'match' the art image.

"Creativity in Our Daily Lives"
On the Learning Station is a picture of a boy in a routine activity of walking along a sidewalk. As he sees a bus, he imagines himself in a more interesting scenario. This is to remind students that imagination and creative thought can be used at any time, anywhere, not just in art. This image serves as an example of the next touch-screen activity.

"Making Everyday Jobs More Fun"
Touch-screen activity & videotaping - Four images are presented of children participating in everyday activities. This is a teamwork activity, so teachers must divide the class into four teams. (If your class is small, you may want each team to describe two scenes instead of one.) Each team chooses one of the situations shown. Using imagination and teamwork, each team must decide what the picture represents and how it could be a more imaginative and exciting situation. The images provided are: kid in bathtub with a toy boat, kid walking a dog, 2 bored kids washing dishes, kid looking overwhelmed in the middle of a messy room. The teacher may need to provide a hint or two if students are not showing creative thought at first, such as pointing out that there is a boat in the bathtub that could be something else. The teams then take turns describing their scenario. Videotape their team performances, ensuring each team member presents a complete sentence.

"Imagination"
Touch-screen activity - The same four images are next presented as icons to be chosen. As each image is chosen, a corresponding image appears full screen of a possible imagined scenario and dialog discusses the scene. The boy in the bathtub becomes a diver studying maps to explore, while the boy walking the dog becomes a circus trainer and his elephant. The kids washing dishes become chemists or research scientists in a lab, while the girl sitting in the messy room becomes a paleontologist studying dinosaur bones. Students may or may not have thought about these answers. Talk about how there are no limits to the imagination.

"Before You Go Home"
Students are reminded that their creativity is as special as they are and knows no limits. Encourage students to take their sculptures and drawings home to describe to their families.

Supply List for Activities
Paper and markers or crayons
*Clay, Sculpey or play dough to make fish
Paint, shells, feathers, sequins, leaves and other found objects To creatively decorate fish
Pillowcase or large bag containing mystery items for students to explore using their senses - tactile items, tasting items, etc.
optional - tape recordings of sound effects or other noises to use listening sense
"Today I Discovered" - parents handout
video tape

*Sculpey or Fimo (a product name, others are available)are bakable clays that are easy to mold, especially for small hands. It will not dry out while being molded, but will bake at a low temperature to harden so students can take home an original permanent sculpture. These clays bake at a low enough temperature that most decorative items, such as buttons, sticks, feathers, etc. can be added prior to baking. Sculpey can also be painted after baking and cooling.