Forced Analogies

Created by Dashu83 - Freepik.com

We all know creativity is more than colorful pencils, unique pottery, and that gorgeous painting hanging on your wall. Right?

Creative thinking is a hallmark of 21st century learning. So, how do we develop it in the classroom?

I want to share with you a simple strategy that is short on time and big on impact. It is also a great informal assessment.

It’s called forced analogies.

• You compare two dissimilar objects by continuing to list the attributes of one item until a logical comparison can be found. 

For example, a book is like a bridge because__________________

Think about the ways this could be completed. You could say it is because they both take you places. You could say they both provide connection. And, the list could go on!

• Now, imagine using it in your classroom with your content. I’ve found, the more dissimilar the two things being compared, the better. This forces the creative, divergent thinking. It also reveals what the students comprehend about the topics presented.

So, for example, the constitution is like a tree because __________________.

Or, energy is like a calculator because____________________.

It could also be used as a warm up to review the previous day’s learning or as an exit ticket.

Let me know how you are putting them to use in your classrooms!

:) Brandy