Brainstorming Activities in the Classroom
Creativity has always been the mark of geniuses who have solved problems and introduced revolutionary ideas by thinking outside the box and noticing what other people do not see. Creativity may be lacking in some individuals who solve problems by using the first solution that comes to mind. It may not even be an original solution, but one they have picked up from someplace else and may not necessarily be effective.
Luckily, creativity is something that can be learned and practiced through brainstorming. Brainstorming is generally a solo or group activity where a number of solutions are thought up to solve a particular problem.
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Stuck On An Island
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For this activity, tell students to imagine that they are being shipped off to an island hundreds of miles away from the nearest city. They are without electricity, access to the Internet and other modern conveniences. They must hunt for their food and build their own shelter if they are to survive. Fortunately, each one of them will be able to bring just one personal item with them to the island. The groups must then think of what items each of them must bring to be able to make their survival a little bit easier. An extension activity would be to ask each student to bring along one other student and ask whom that might be and why. This helps students recognize the strengths in others.
Looking Beyond the Obvious Use of an Item
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For this activity, you can have the different groups compete against on another. Bring out any item, such as a cup, chair, ball or cereal box and present it to students. Have them list down other uses for that particular item. Allow them to be as creative as possible but don't let it be too far-fetched. A ruler for example can also be used as a back scratcher or a device to extend one's reach.
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What if History Did Not Turn Out as Expected?
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Pick out events in history that have had great influence on your students, such as the discovery of America or the invention of the computer. Assign each group an event and ask them what would've happened if the events did not happen like it did before, like for example, if Germany had discovered America or if the computer was never invented. Then allow each group to think about and list down the many changes that would've resulted from these alternative events.
Solving World Problems
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Allow each group to choose a problem they believe is of utmost importance to the world like poverty, famine or war. Then allow these groups to think about what they can do to solve these problems. Each group will present its solution to the class. Those listening should be encouraged to react to the solution given and offer additional solutions that they believe can help even more.
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