Classroom behaviors in elementary school teachers identified as fostering creativity

Abstract

With the vast technological and informational changes accompanying the 21st century, there is a growing need for innovation. As students graduate, they will be expected to perform tasks that require different and new ways of thinking. Therefore, it is imperative that teachers implement classroom practices that will foster creativity to prepare students for the demands they will face when they enter the workforce. Thus, the question: What are the exemplary practices elementary teachers use to foster creativity in their students? I observed and interviewed three teachers, noting the practices they used that promote creativity when teaching language arts. After analysis of data, the findings reveal that teachers should encourage collaboration, student choice, imagination, a risk-free environment, and use inquiry to facilitate learning, connect learning to students' lives, tie the arts into everyday learning for all students, and accept more than one right answer during instruction.