If you want students to learn how to think creatively, the secret is giving set boundaries, and lots of tools for students to explore possibilities within those boundaries. For my monster assignment, students had access to bins and bins of supplies: pipe cleaners, yarn, feathers, wood, cardboard, and more.
Too many options feels overwhelming and can lead to paralysis, so it's best to walk them through the process. You can dig through supplies that lead to inspiration. I might find a discarded nest ornament, and say, I wonder if this could be used as a baby carriage since eggs are basically eggs. What do we have that could make wheels? What would a birdlike monster look like? Does it have to have wings? What would help us hint at a bird without it becoming a bird? It's also good to start with the idea first: I want a skate boarding cyclops. I'm going to sketch it out and then try to find the materials needed to make it. Give each creature a name and personality.
For little kids and for those starting out, a basic form is all it takes to get going. A toilet paper tube, or a dixie cup, might be the basis for some legless creature. Think about colors and surface textures: foam, felt, tape, or tissue paper can all help transform the household item to the point where students want to add tentacles or antennae. You know you are doing something right when lots of laughter is part of the process. This project was just the beginning, but it was a great way to start on our film making experience.
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