Feeling the midyear slump, and seeking some creative ideas to engage your out-of-school time crew? January is International Creativity month, and there’s no better time to introduce innovators. Armed with an array of podcasts focusing on artists and other innovative folks, your program participants can celebrate creativity as they walk, listen, and learn their way through the month!
Get Artsy
When you hear the word creativity, it’s likely the first thing you think of is art, and you’re not the only one! Take a cue from one of our other afterschool adopters, and build a unit around artists.
First, take some time to introduce your program participants to surrealism, just one of many distinctive artistic styles, and then have a listen to one (or both!) of these podcasts about artists practicing in that style.
- Rene Magritte (5-#84, Complete-#31)
- Salvador Dali (5-#85, Complete-#32)
See if your crew can identify any similarities between these artists, and as a follow-up, engage in some artistic games to unlock their creativity. Continue by sharing examples of work by other surrealists, then encourage your program participants to create some art of their own by incorporating activities inspired by the work of Paul Klee, a Swiss painter and graphic artist.
. . . or Other Innovators!
Creativity extends beyond artistic pursuits; in fact, creative thinking has led to the development of many inven-tive solu-tions . . . or inventions! Have a listen to podcasts about these interesting inventors and other innovators. It might be fun to introduce one inventor a day for a week, and build from there!
Henry Ford (4-#89, Complete-#112)- Thomas Edison (5-#16, STEM-#9, Complete-#162)
- Albert Einstein (5-#17, STEM-#10, Complete-#163)
- Johannes Gutenberg (5-#23, Complete-#51)
- Galileo Galilei (5-#24, STEM-#5, Complete-#165)
Inspired by the inventions of these famous figures, you may want to propose an “invention convention” and see what creative solutions your program participants can craft! A ready-made guide includes an assortment of activities, and it can assist you in your efforts.
Or, if you are limited on time, narrow your focus and cover multiple bases! Explore the life of Leonardo da Vinci (5-#26, STEM-#4). The ultimate “Renaissance man,” da Vinci had achievements in both art and invention. Afterwards, let your crew channel their inner da Vinci. Incorporate a hands-on project or other inventive activity, and watch what happens!
Add in Some Additional Information!
The Walking Classroom provides a wealth of podcasts to get you started, but you determine the path from there! It’s easy to explore a bit more with a bevy of books that build on biographical information. Check one out and share it with your program participants.
After exploring a number of innovative individuals, you might want to take some time to assess your crew’s newfound knowledge. See if they can identify the artists and innovators about whom they’ve learned. A quick Who Am I? activity is always a good choice, and it’s sure to keep them engaged! If you are looking for even more ways to celebrate International Creativity Month, introduce an additional activity or two and continue the fun!
I love the idea of creating a walking/learning club after school. This would allow other students outside of my classroom to experience the fun of walking and learning. It would also allow students to explore topics or people that they may be interested in that they don’t get to study in the regular classroom. This is great for my students who don’t get to play safely outside in their neighborhoods a way to add exercise into their day. I’m looking to start small the rest of this year and open it up at the beginning of next school.