Lawrence School

What is it? – Looking for creative ways to solve problems or finding alternative possibilities. Being creative.

Sounds like – “I wonder what would happen if…” Let’s try this a different way.” Let’s look at this from a new angle”

Looks like – Trying several alternatives, analyzing differences for the most precise one.

Feels like – Not being happy with the first possible solution. Striving for the new and different. Enjoying new ways to solve problems. Being creative

All human beings have the capacity to generate novel, clever, or ingenious products, solutions, and techniques –if that capacity is developed. Creative human beings try to conceive problem solutions differently, examining alternative possibilities from many angles. They tend to project themselves into different roles using analogies, starting with a vision and working backward and imagining they are the object being considered. Creative people take risks and frequently push the boundaries of their perceived limits. They are intrinsically rather than extrinsically motivated, working on the task for the aesthetic challenge rather that the material rewards.
Creative people are open to criticism. They hold up their products for others to judge and they seek feedback in an ever-increasing effort to refine their technique. They are uneasy with the status quo. They constantly strive for greater fluency, elaboration, novelty, parsimony, simplicity, craftsmanship, perfection, beauty, harmony, and balance.
Some students tend to believe that they are not and cannot be creative. We need to help them find out how and when they are creative and help support and nurture their individual creativity.

“The future is not some place we are going to but one we are creating. The paths are not to be found, but made, and the activity of making them changes both the maker and the destination.” John Schaar, Political Scientist

Information on Habits of Mind are taken from the book Habits of Mind by Costa and Kallick.