Classroom Ideas

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Classroom Ideas

Ready? (Box) Set? Go! How physical theatre inspires creativity with Highly Sprung

Sarah Worth of Highly Sprung reveals how physical theatre empowers young people to explore creativity, build confidence, and express themselves through embodied learning.

How to use anthropomorphism to release children's creativity

Art facilitator Jessica McDermott introduces anthropomorphism as a creative way for children to begin storytelling by giving human traits to animals or objects.

Three children in a classroom: one stands at a whiteboard drawing or writing, while two others sit at a table working with small objects and papers. The whiteboard displays colorful drawings and numbers from 5 to 10.

Reignite a love of learning post lockdown with creativity

Katherine Mengardon encourages child-led, creative learning to help children reconnect with education and ease the transition back to school post-lockdown.

A curved rainbow pattern made of small, colorful objects on a white background. The objects include stars, circles, and irregular shapes, transitioning in color from red to purple.

How to make a short graphic story

Artist Nicole Mollett guides students through creating short graphic stories, using visual storytelling to spark creativity and explore personal experiences through English, arts, and humanities.

Two children sitting on a gray blanket outdoors, each reading a picture book with colorful animal illustrations. One child wears a dark shirt, the other a yellow outfit, and both are pointing at images in their books

How to be sensory storytellers

Natalie Haigh from Leeds Museums & Galleries shares how sensory storytelling can engage children from Early Years to Key Stage 2, especially those with special educational needs.

A yellow table displays a collection of items: a green stuffed toy, a children's book titled 'The Snail and the Whale,' an ice cube tray, a bottle of hand soap, sunscreen lotion, a teal towel with string lights draped over it, a small metal colander with handles, a patterned bowl, a spoon and fork set, and two small rectangular objects

Teaching for creativity in maths

Teaching for creativity in maths shows how building confidence with numbers can go hand-in-hand with nurturing curiosity and creative thinking.

Person holding an orange with the equation 'y = x + 2' written on it, and a white marker in the other hand. On the table are handwritten notes, printed math problems, and a closed book, suggesting a study session focused on functions and derivatives.

Exploding Rainbows

Leonie Briggs combines science and creativity in 'Exploding Rainbows,' a vibrant activity designed to spark curiosity and conversation among young learners.

Abstract image with overlapping circles in bright colors—red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple—some translucent, some opaque, with small bubbles inside larger circles, creating a fluid, dynamic effect.

Center for Childhood Creativity

The Bay Area Discovery Museum’s CREATE framework transforms research into playful, STEM and arts-rich experiences that nurture creative problem-solving in young children

A group of children gathered around an outdoor table, working on an electronics project. The central child, in a yellow and blue striped shirt, holds wires and tools, while others also handle electronic components. A fence and trees are visible in the background.

Anansi the Spider re-spun during Lockdown

Cath Greenwood from Unicorn Theatre shares how their lockdown project, 'Anansi the Spider re-spun,' used performance to inspire creativity and support learning in schools.

Three-panel image showing a person in a red outfit with colorful patterns: playing a drum on the left, dancing in the center, and striking a cowbell with a stick on the right.

Teaching for Creativity Showcase: A Visiting Specialist's Perspective

Judy Waite, Creative Writing Visiting Specialist at the University of Winchester, reflects on the power of storytelling to enrich lives and learning, as part of the Teaching for Creativity Showcase.

Black background with white and orange text reading 'Once upon a time... there were story tellers who travelled the land.' On the right, a group of adults and children sit outside a rustic building, listening to a storyteller, with chickens in the foreground.

Punchdrunk Enrichment creates immersive theatre experiences for schools and communities, using imaginative storytelling to inspire creativity, boost engagement, and support learning across the curriculum.

Stylized white text reading 'punchdrunk enrichment' on a black background, with a slightly distorted, wavy appearance.

NECC's Portfolio of reflections, insights and ideas.

The North East Creativity Collaborative’s portfolio shares insights from 12 schools’ three-year journey (2021–2024) with Creativity Culture England, offering inspiration and guidance for others starting their own teaching for creativity journey.