This document describes a set of 15-minute classroom activity cards designed to foster creative problem solving. The cards are based on Edward de Bono's lateral thinking exercises and can be incorporated into regular classroom use. They aim to inspire creative thinking by focusing on the process of problem solving rather than right/wrong answers. Teachers would be able to purchase the cards online and a forum would allow sharing of ideas and custom activity cards between educators.
1. 15 Minutes Can Change the World
Quick activity cards that foster creative problem
solving in the classroom
Teachers today are bound by testing standards and strapped for • Develops creative problem solving
time. This set of 15 minute classroom exercises is a breath of • Only takes 15 minutes
creative fresh air for the classroom. Based on Edward de Bono’s • Supports existing curriculum
lateral thinking exercises, they can be used on a regular basis to • Easy to implement
inspire students to think creatively by placing more value on the • Activities are fun and rewarding
process of problem solving than on the “right or wrong” answer.
[image of site or some visual or
diagram showing the community,
parents and children?]
Small Investment, Big Change
Teachers today have a daunting task. With only 5 hours a day to motivate, educate, and prep
their students for rigorous standardized testing, little time remains for creative problem
Writing
Story Mash-up solving. But there’s hope, because just 15 minutes each day can change the way students
Materials:
tackle the problems facing our world. 15 Minutes Can Change the World is a box set of 50
Paper and writing utensils for each student.
3 images for each student cut from print
activity cards based on Edward de Bono’s lateral thinking exercises. Each card is colored
outs or magazines that are be random or
curriculum themed.
coded by subject matter and contains classroom instructions for a high-energy challenge,
Directions:
puzzle, or problem that requires only 15 minutes to facilitate. Cards encourage brainstorming
Collect images and shuffle. Distribute 3
images randomly to each student. For 15
as a large group, individually or in small groups, depending on the exercise. Value is focused
minutes students write a compelling short
story referencing each of the 3 images.
on the journey and process of ideation more than on the final output. Simple directions guide
Afterwards volunteers share.
teachers with recommendations for leading brainstorming exercises with children, teaching
15 Minutes
Payoff:
Students are introduced to lateral thinking
an appreciation for the grey space between “right vs. wrong” answers. Short, regular
and challenged to integrate three disparate
items. This develops creative writing skills
exercises encourage diversity of content, and the ability to get comfortable with not always
and is effective inspiration for future
research topics. finding a solution in the allotted time. Students begin to learn that being “correct” is not as
important as continually learning from the experimentation process. The cards would be
purchased online where teachers would select an appropriate collection based on the age of
their students, such as a K-3 collection designed for elementary school curriculum.
A Community of Educators
The online store would also host a forum for teachers to rate each activity and post tips and best practices for the greater education
community. Templates would also be available for download to enable teachers to create their own activity cards and share them
with the greater education community, opening the possibility for future growth and evolution as curriculum evolves.
Low Risk, High Return
Trying these cards would be low risk as they only require 15 minutes and accommodate existing curriculum. The activities are
designed to be fast-paced, high-energy, and educational. Teachers could use them as often as they like to nurture student creativity
or simply present their standard lessons in a new and provocative way.
![15 Minutes Can Change the World
Quick activity cards that foster creative problem
solving in the classroom
Teachers today are bound by testing standards and strapped for • Develops creative problem solving
time. This set of 15 minute classroom exercises is a breath of • Only takes 15 minutes
creative fresh air for the classroom. Based on Edward de Bono’s • Supports existing curriculum
lateral thinking exercises, they can be used on a regular basis to • Easy to implement
inspire students to think creatively by placing more value on the • Activities are fun and rewarding
process of problem solving than on the “right or wrong” answer.
[image of site or some visual or
diagram showing the community,
parents and children?]
Small Investment, Big Change
Teachers today have a daunting task. With only 5 hours a day to motivate, educate, and prep
their students for rigorous standardized testing, little time remains for creative problem
Writing
Story Mash-up solving. But there’s hope, because just 15 minutes each day can change the way students
Materials:
tackle the problems facing our world. 15 Minutes Can Change the World is a box set of 50
Paper and writing utensils for each student.
3 images for each student cut from print
activity cards based on Edward de Bono’s lateral thinking exercises. Each card is colored
outs or magazines that are be random or
curriculum themed.
coded by subject matter and contains classroom instructions for a high-energy challenge,
Directions:
puzzle, or problem that requires only 15 minutes to facilitate. Cards encourage brainstorming
Collect images and shuffle. Distribute 3
images randomly to each student. For 15
as a large group, individually or in small groups, depending on the exercise. Value is focused
minutes students write a compelling short
story referencing each of the 3 images.
on the journey and process of ideation more than on the final output. Simple directions guide
Afterwards volunteers share.
teachers with recommendations for leading brainstorming exercises with children, teaching
15 Minutes
Payoff:
Students are introduced to lateral thinking
an appreciation for the grey space between “right vs. wrong” answers. Short, regular
and challenged to integrate three disparate
items. This develops creative writing skills
exercises encourage diversity of content, and the ability to get comfortable with not always
and is effective inspiration for future
research topics. finding a solution in the allotted time. Students begin to learn that being “correct” is not as
important as continually learning from the experimentation process. The cards would be
purchased online where teachers would select an appropriate collection based on the age of
their students, such as a K-3 collection designed for elementary school curriculum.
A Community of Educators
The online store would also host a forum for teachers to rate each activity and post tips and best practices for the greater education
community. Templates would also be available for download to enable teachers to create their own activity cards and share them
with the greater education community, opening the possibility for future growth and evolution as curriculum evolves.
Low Risk, High Return
Trying these cards would be low risk as they only require 15 minutes and accommodate existing curriculum. The activities are
designed to be fast-paced, high-energy, and educational. Teachers could use them as often as they like to nurture student creativity
or simply present their standard lessons in a new and provocative way.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/15minfrogdesign-110223130443-phpapp01/85/15min-frogdesign-1-320.jpg)
