Creative and Critical Thinking Timeline

By Ryan.Ogi

  • Elementary: Beginning Creative Thought Pt. 1

    Creativity is the essential factor to a student's success, as a creative mind will lead to critical thinking in the future. This process begins in elementary school, as play to learn is the primary mode in which students learn to enjoy learning and to use their creativity to reinforce their learning.

  • Elementary: Creative to Critical Thoughts P.2

    Creative thinking inherently leads to critical thinking as students develop throughout their education. Especially when given written prompts where students are able to choose their own responses (I am thinking of random prompts like, "Write a story about a pencil and an eraser and the adventures they'd go on"), the process of writing then leads to editing (especially at older ages) and the process of making sure stories make sense in whichever realm they are created.

  • Middle School P.1

    Creative and Critical thinking is crucial in the classroom, especially starting in middle school. By building on the creative thinking created in elementary, critical thinking can truly be focused and honed during this time. Adding deeper levels of questioning and combining them with topical and open levels (such as, "when is justice achieved?"), both creative and critical thinking can be hit upon.

  • Middle School P.2

    At this time, reading and writing are key to creative and critical thinking. Reading, especially when looking at MAP testing and P/SAT, is an essential skill that students will need to develop. By utilizing more "fun" readings/topics (looking at The Hobbit because I love Tolkien) and having students write to specific prompts that utilize the reading, but provide for creative and critical thought. Ex. At the end of the Hobbit, what did the dwarves of Erebor do after Bilbo returned to the Shire?

  • High School

    By high school, creativity and critical thinking can be easily utilized, especially in a social studies setting. A favorite topic I like to use to support both types of thinking are "What Ifs in History". These prompts are open ended and allow for the creativity students oftentimes have lost, but also requires students to provide evidence to support their creative thoughts and to critically analyze their choices.