We often assume that creativity requires freedom. Remove the rules, open up the possibilities, and let students run with their ideas. But sometimes the opposite is true. The right constraints can give us a starting point, push us beyond the obvious, and lead to possibilities we might never have considered on our own.

In my latest article, I explore why constraints can fuel creativity and how we can use them intentionally in the classroom.

This is my third article in a series I'm calling Routine Creativity. This week, I share a story of one of my interdisciplinary projects that I ever did with students and how it started with a series of significant limitations. I then share how constraints push creative thinking. It's an idea I shared years ago in a sketch video.

add video

From there, I examine the types of constraints that exist and how they build creative thinking in students. I also share the importance of a "Goldilocks balance" because too many constraints can actually kill creativity as well.

About the Blog Series

Throughout this blog series, I want to explore some of the counterintuitive ideas about how creativity works. We’ll see why quantity actually leads to quality and constraints can lead to creative breakthroughs. We’ll explore why structure can lead to freedom and how designing for the marginalized will benefit everyone.

Along the way, I want to push back against some of the lies we’ve been told about creativity. We tend to think creativity requires total freedom, a sudden burst of inspiration, or a big, bold project. But often, creativity grows out of things that seem surprisingly mundane. It comes from habits and routines. It comes from deep knowledge and focused attention. It comes from imitation, experimentation, and even failure.

This is why I’m interested in the idea of routine creativity. Creativity doesn’t have to be an event. It can happen in small moments woven into the learning process. Throughout this blog series, I’ll be exploring small tweaks that can make a big difference and introducing specific routines we can integrate into our pre-existing lessons. These aren’t meant to replace the larger PBL units we already love. Instead, the goal is to make creativity something students practice regularly, so that over time, creative thinking becomes a natural part of how students learn.

Read the Full Article

You can find the full article here. If you find it helpful, please consider sharing it on social media.

Listen to the Podcast

You can also listen to my latest podcast episode by subscribing to the Creative Classroom Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. The feed might take a moment to update, so if this episode isn't showing up, I promise it will! I took a little break but I'm back. :)

If you enjoy my podcast, would you consider leaving a review?

Let's Work Together!

I would love to work with your school, district, or conference! You might be interested in keynotes or workshops on intentional tech integration (including AI), deeper learning, PBL, and empowering students and improving student agency (including student ownership of the assessment process).

I still have limited availability this fall but I still have some spots open. I'd also love to do something more in-depth throughout the school year. My workshops include access to my self-paced courses so participants can continue their professional learning after the day's event.

Please reach out to me at john@spencereducation.com or fill out the form on my speaking page, and I'll get back to you as soon as possible. I can send you a PD catalog with all the details.

Dr. John Spencer

​Facebook - Instagram - YouTube - LinkedIn​

​Unsubscribe · Preferences​