Critical Thinking and Creativity

Critical Thinkers Analyze Ideas

When students learn to analyze information, they are able to gain a deeper understanding of ideas.

Beyond the Page challenges students to think critically by having them learn to

• compare and contrast ideas,
• provide reasoning for their thinking,
• assess situations,
• evaluate others' ideas,
and
• think independently.

Creative Thinkers Solve Problems

Creativity is much more than the ability to draw a pretty picture. Creative students exhibit fluency (generating many ideas), flexibility (shifting perspective easily), and originality (conceiving of something new).

Our children need creativity to become problem-solvers and innovators. Creativity is what sets apart those who are book smart from those who are creators, inventors, and designers. Not every bright child is highly creative, but every child benefits from being taught to think creatively and practice creativity.

Beyond the Page encourages creativity by asking students to

• apply ideas to different contexts,
• create exciting products,
• develop stories and personal narratives,
• use their imaginations to answer mind-boggling questions,
• think of unique ideas,
and
• consider inventive ways to solve problems.

Students are also encouraged to think "outside of the box" so that they can become better problem-solvers and inventors.