1st Grade Update: Divergent Thinking

Our 1st grade Idea Lab students have been stretching their imaginations and learning to think like inventors — just like Isabel the Inventor! This unit focuses on divergent thinking, which encourages students to explore many possible solutions and ideas, rather than just searching for one “right answer.” It’s all about creativity, curiosity, and thinking outside the box!

    

      

 

Some students even started naming their production studios! 

As part of this journey, students created their very own stop-motion films using LEGOs. Stop motion is a simple but powerful animation technique where still photos are captured frame by frame and stitched together to make objects appear to move on their own. This project gave students the chance to plan, design, and bring their ideas to life — a fun and creative way to practice storytelling and problem-solving!

Our viewing party was a hit. Click HERE to view a clip from one of our short films.

Next, students were introduced to the SCAMPER method, a tool inventors use to improve and rethink existing ideas. SCAMPER stands for Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to another use, Eliminate, and Rearrange — all ways to spark new ideas and see things from a fresh perspective. Using this strategy, students put their creative thinking to the test by SCAMPERing donuts — imagining new, inventive twists on this classic treat! 

Students will use this method with other objects and will really stretch their imagination! 
With a little imagination and the right tools, our creativity really is endless!