2C.03 Children are provided varied opportunities and materials that support fine-motor development.
2D.07 Children are provided varied opportunities and materials that encourage them to have discussions to solve problems that are interpersonal and those that are related to the physical world.
2G.07 Children are provided varied opportunities and materials that encourage them to discuss scientific concepts in everyday conversation.
2G.08 Children are provided varied opportunities and materials that help them learn and use scientific terminology and vocabulary associated with the content areas.
2J.05 Children are provide varied opportunities to develop and widen their repertoire of skills that support artistic expression (e.g. cutting, gluing, and caring for tools.)
Scientific Knowledge
Language Development
Listening and Understanding
NS.K-4.3 Life Science
As a result of activities in grades K-4, all students should develop understanding of:
Your Cerebral Cortex is the largest part of your brain. It helps with creativity.
Description:
In this activity, young children will explore how their Cerebral Cortex makes it possible to create ideas. They will discuss a new word: creativity. Children will then do a craft activity using scissors, paper and glue to create an imaginary object or being – whatever they choose. After doing this activity, students will be able to explain that their Cerebral Cortex plays a part in being creative.
What You Will Need:
A creativity center for children to visit after your Cerebral Cortex lesson, including:
Other materials as available, such as cardboard egg cartons, pipe cleaners, and other recycled materials
Step-by-Step:
Begin by listening to ‘Creativity’ from the Every Body Has a Brain soundtrack during a circle time. Ask if students can give their own definition of creativity. You may wish to create a list of the class’ ideas about creativity. When the children have given their ideas, offer the dictionary definition of the word:
Creativity: Ability to produce something new through imaginative skill, whether a new solution to a problem, a new method or device, or a new artistic object or form.
Song: Creativity
ASK How can you be creative? Introduce the art activity where they will make their own creation: a monster or creature, a machine, or any object they can imagine.
Tip: Combine the art activity with other centers, or create as a whole-class activity.
While children use materials, ask them to talk more about their ideas. Where did their ideas come from? They are using their Cerebral Cortex when they are creative!
Further Exploration:
Play these games and stories from Every Body Has a Brain game to help children continue to explore their creativity.
Here is a page with a multitude of creative activities, on the PBS Kids site:
http://pbskids.org/games/coloring.html
Crayola’s website has some creativity tools:
http://www.crayola.com/