Presents results from a study that examined student assessments of their own musical abilities as related to compositional creativity. Focuses on nonmusic majors in a music fundamentals course for elementary education majors. Explains that the students were placed into high-,middle-, and low-creativity groups. (CMK)

Focuses on the study of personal containers and their uses in art creation for children. States that children are fascinated by boxes and containers. Provides examples of personal containers, such as lunch boxes, pencil cases, purses and valets, and school bags. (CMK)

Focuses on teaching students how to compose music. Addresses issues, such as how to get the students started and types of questions to ask students about their compositions. Discusses the musical elements involved in composition, such as melody, harmony, rhythm and meter, timbre, texture, and formal design. (CMK)

Discusses two steps, focusing on improvisation, that teachers can follow in planning music lessons. Addresses how to include improvisation in the general music classroom by focusing on two different age groups: (1) kindergarten through grade three; and (3) grades four to six. (CMK)

Discusses how to encourage creativity in the music classroom for upper-elementary students by focusing on musical composition. Includes a description of a nine lesson unit that focuses on creativity in musical composition. States that students can continue working on compositions at home. (CMK)

Two experiments involving 44 Hong Kong undergraduates revealed that solving novel conceptual combination problems could enhance performance in a subsequent test of creativity. The evidence also showed that the beneficial effects of solving novel conceptual combination problems were mediated in part by the use of novel conceptual combination…

A teacher of gifted elementary school students reflects on her experiences using the Foxfire approach and on its value in involving students in experiential learning and facilitating higher level critical and creative thinking skills. Seven of her sixth grade students describe the projects they've completed over the years. (SV)

Presents suggestions for making reading instruction exciting and creative both for students and teachers. Describes the creative reading environment, ways the teacher may foster creativity as a result of reading, and ideas for developing creativity based on reading. Lists 20 creative reading activities. (MG)

Suggests that the aesthetic positions James Joyce expresses in his work have an independent intellectual value in understanding gifted childrens' aesthetic development. Discusses and critiques Joyce's theory on the psychology and philosophy of the artist. (KM)

Discusses a study of the perceptions of creativity of 101 highly motivated, academic achievers from 2 New Jersey high schools, focusing on the characteristics (i.e., gender, and grade level and subject taught) of their most creative teachers. Presents students' perceptions of creative teaching style. (DMM)

Books identified as especially interesting and challenging for elementary-level gifted students are reviewed, within four categories: books that challenge language development, encourage creative and imaginative powers, provide non-stereotyped role models, and provide how-to skill training in a variety of interest areas. Each title has an…

Results from a 4-year study tracking creative problem-solving success rates among 952 managers in 8-person teams (4 planners and 4 implementers) are reported. Coordination of subteam role (task) with Kirton Adaption Innovation Inventory (KAI) type significantly increased group success rates, while placing KAI types outside their preferred roles…

Examination of traits and life experiences of 21 eminent women in the visual arts found that, as children, artists were creative, versatile, vital, energetic, sensitive, and enjoyed their work. Early achievement predicted later accomplishments and early intensive concentration in one's field, often to the near exclusion of other activities, was…

Presents a historical overview of visualization as a cognitive strategy in human creativity, discovery, and problem-solving. Highlights include visualization as a cognitive strategy for solving everyday problems; visualization by scientists and inventors; counter examples; and implications for multimedia learning environments, instructional…

This paper suggests that creativity development among teachers can be an alternative approach towards teaching for hands-on and process science. Describes a course to prepare student teachers to move toward a student-oriented approach which focuses specifically on the development of creativity. (LZ)