1x5 Creating Thinking Strategy

If you have yet to check out the Institute for Arts Integration and STEAM, today's your lucky day! They're a fantastic resource offering professional development, strategies, and activities for your classroom. One of my favorite strategies I've learned from them is the 1x5 Creative Thinking Strategy.

Here’s how it works:

Choose an argument, item, or idea. Instruct your students to gather in groups of five.  

1. Make one change to the selected object (ex. If you began with a yellow piece of construction paper, the first person can make one change by choosing either to tear the page, draw on it, or fold it.)

2. Pass the paper around the group until everyone has completed Step 1.

3. Discuss how the object changed (ex. form, structure, components). 

   • Where did it start?
   • Where did it end?
   • What can it now be used for?
   • What can it no longer be used for?

4. If satisfied: Share the creation. If unsatisfied: Revise by repeating the process, and then share.

Ideas for 1x5 Creative Thinking: 

• Revision Process: By making one change to an argument, writing, or prototype, students can explore different angles, improve clarity, and strengthen their overall content. Emphasizing the iterative nature of this approach, students can develop critical editing skills and cultivate a growth mindset towards continuous improvement.
• Science Experiments: Start with a simple experiment setup, and each student in the group makes one change to a variable. Students can then observe and discuss the outcomes, fostering a deeper understanding of the scientific method and experimental design. 
• History and Social Studies: Start with a significant event or social structure, and have students make one change that alters the course of history or the functioning of the society. This can lead to insightful discussions about cause and effect in history and potential scenarios for the future.
• Character Development: Start with a character's basic traits, and let students make one change to their personalities, background, or motivations. This can lead to intriguing character transformations and unique storylines.
• Math and Geometry: Start with a basic shape or problem, and have students make one change to the dimensions or properties. This can help students grasp mathematical principles in a visual and interactive way.
• Create Visual or Performing Arts Composition: Starting with a basic concept, have each student make one change to the artwork or performance, allowing them to explore creative variations and discover innovative ways to convey their ideas. 
• Inventive Solutions: Start with a specific problem, and let each group member make one change to an existing solution. This can foster creative thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Art and Design: Start with a simple art element or design concept, and have students make one change to transform the artwork or design. This can lead to innovative and visually engaging creations. 
• Idea Brainstorming: Encourage students to think creatively and generate a multitude of ideas on a given topic or problem. By fostering an open and collaborative environment, idea brainstorming can lead to innovative solutions and inspire a sense of ownership over the creative process.
• Foreign Language Practice: Start with a basic sentence or dialogue, and have students make one change to the language, tense, or vocabulary. This can enhance language proficiency and creativity in communication.
• Environmental Studies: Start with an environmental problem, and have students make one change to a factor that influences the outcome. This can promote discussions about sustainability and environmental impact.
• Current Events Analysis: Start with a news story or event, and let students make one change to explore alternative outcomes or perspectives. 
• Animal Mutation or Habitat: Challenge students to make one change to an animal that would enable it to better survive in its environment. 

How does it help my students? 

1. Encourages Collaboration and Social Skills: By working in groups, students have the opportunity to collaborate, share ideas, and actively engage with their peers. This strategy fosters social interactions and helps students with developmental disabilities develop essential social skills like communication, listening, and cooperation.
2. Promotes Flexible Thinking: The strategy prompts students to make one change to an object or idea, encouraging them to think outside the box and embrace flexibility in their process. For students with developmental disabilities, who may face challenges with rigid thinking, this approach helps expand their cognitive flexibility and creativity.
3. Supports Multiple Modalities of Learning: This strategy caters to different learning styles and allows students to engage with the material in ways that best suit their individual strengths and preferences.

Looking for more ideas and strategies? Be sure to explore the Institute for Arts Integration and STEAM.