1/12/2026 - Syllabus / The Creative Classroom
Unit: The Creative Classroom
Theme: Creating a safe learning environment.
I
Introduction
Creating a safe environment in the classroom is key in providing students with higher levels of instruction. An
important part of making students feel safe to learn and be creative is
knowing their names. However, that is just one of the many aspects
needed to actually show students that they are safe to be. Today's class
provides students with important tips that help teachers to create a
safe creative environment.
II
Learning Objectives
- Know each other's names
- Understand different creativity tips that make the classroom a safer learning environment
- Explain the importance of creating a safe learning space
- Gain an awareness of the safe classroom tips
- Experience working in groups to choose 3 important tips
- Reflect on the work done in class
III
Main Lesson
1
Introductions to the group.
Question 1
Write a brief introduction where you share your name, your major, your place
of origin and your expectations for this class. Post your introduction
on Discussion Board.
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2
Activity 1
a) Disruption of the spatial design
b) Learn each other's names
Question 2
Reflect on how the activities described above could affect the students' sense of safety and creativity
3
Read Individually
Killing Ideas Softly: The Promise and Perils in the Classroom
By Ronald A. Beghetto
https://www.google.com/books/edition/Killing_ideas_softly/P523AgAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Creativity+in+the+Classroom&printsec=frontcover
Chapter 1: What is Creativity? (Pages 3 - 5)
Question 3
Respond the question/title of Chapter 1 by summarizing the main points made by Beghetto. Minimum one paragraph.
4
Read in Groups
Developing Creativity in the Classroom
By Todd Kettler, Kristen N. Lamb, Dianna R. Mullet
Link: Developing Creativity in the Classroom.
https://www.google.com/books/edition/Developing_Creativity_in_the_Classroom/k4NAEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=safe+creative+classroom&pg=PT97&printsec=frontcover
Chapter 6: Teaching Models to develop Creativity in the Classroom
Focused on the foundational principles of project-based (PBL) and problem-based learning (PrBL), the purspose of this book is to have participants learn to design and plan engaging classroom units aligned to learning standards that will spark student excitement and engagement.
Activity 2
Each group reads a Teaching Model
Group 1 / Torrance Incubation Model of Teaching
Group 2 / Creative - Problem Solving
Group 3 / Project - Based Learning
Group 4 / Problem - Based Learning
Group 5 / Design - Based Learning
Question 4
Working with your group, summarize and share with the rest of the class your group's summary
5
Activity 3
Group Work
Read with your group the 20 tips listed in the link bellow. Discuss these tips with the members of your group.
LINK: 20 Tips for Creating a Safe Learning Environment
https://www.edutopia.org/blog/20-tips-create-safe-learning-environment-rebecca-albe
After clicking on the link and reading the tips for creating a safe learning environment, please choose the three tips that resonate with you the most. Explain.
Question 5
Post a summary of your group discussion on Discussion Board.
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Question 6
Individual Work
If you were to choose the most important tip for you to apply in your own classroom, which tip would that be? Explain.
IV
Notes to Remember
The Safe Creative Classroom
A good teacher's duty is to establish an environment that supports creativity and at the same time eliminate suppressors of creativity. A teacher that supports creativity provides plenty of resources, trust and safety, an active environment and opportunities to showcase the students' creative work.
The McKinney - Vento Homeless Act
The McKinney - Vento Homeless Act was passed in 1987, to insure the rights of homeless children to an education.
VI
Case Studies
1
Turkish short film, Oscar winner. "Don't Judge"by Albanian producer Elvis Naçi, 2020
Question 7
After watching the short film, how does the teacher's teaching style affect creativity among his students?
2
Read
https://www.britannica.com/event/Ingraham-v-Wright
Activity
Read the article above and discuss with your group members.
Question 8
Summarize your discussion and post it on today's forum.
3
Movie: Beyond The Blackboard
Question 9
After watching the film, in which way the teacher's style enhances the learning environment?
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VII
Journaling
VIII
Glossary
1. proximity: Proximity control is a strategy in which the teacher reduces the physical distance between herself and a student as a way to remind that student of behavioral expectations. What Do We Know About This Skill/Practice? reminder of expected behavior. engagement and reduce problem behaviors.
Source:https://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/wp-content/uploads/misc_media/fss/pdfs/2018/fss_proximity_control.pdf
2. extinction: What Is It? Extinction procedures gradually reduce or eliminate a challenging behavior maintained by escape or attention by removing the reinforcement that is known to maintain challenging behavior. Use extinction procedures for low-intensity behaviors.
Source: https://www.education.uw.edu/ibestt/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Extinction.pdf
3. waiting time: Wait time refers to two specific practices where instructors deliberately pause. First, wait time 1 constitutes a 3-5 second pause between asking a question and soliciting an answer. Second, wait time 2 is a 3-5 second pause after a student response. This time provides students with time to think about the question and develop a response, either to the instructor’s question or a peer’s response. As a result, more students may be willing to answer the question and responses may be more thoughtful. While this deliberate pause sounds simple to implement, many instructors have been habituated to resist any silence in the classroom and may find it surprisingly difficult to enact this pause.
Source: https://www.kent.edu/ctl/wait-time-making-space-authentic-learning
4. strategic sharing or personal story sharing: (1) Carefully selecting personal anecdotes to share can help teachers in their efforts to build strong relationships with students.(2) Story sharing is an effective strategy to promote and expose the common connections that lead to positive relationships.
Source 1: https://www.edutopia.org/article/connecting-students-through-strategic-sharing/
Source 2: https://urbanedjournal.gse.upenn.edu/volume-16-issue-1-spring-2019/personal-story-sharing-engagement-strategy-promote-student-learning
5. student teacher relationship: students who share a positive relationship with their teacher develop stronger social-emotional skills and vice-versa.
Source: https://ecampusontario.pressbooks.pub/educ5202/chapter/the-importance-of-student-teacher-relationships/
IX
Sources
Kettler, Todd et al. (2021). Developing Creativity in the Classroom. Understanding Creativity and Innovation.
https://www.google.com/books/edition/Developing_Creativity_in_the_Classroom/k4NAEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=safe+creative+classroom&pg=PT97&printsec=frontcover
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