How it works

Conceptual Combination

3C uses an idea in called conceptual combination. Basically, you take two different concepts, each with their own component elements and mush them together to create something that is novel and useful and composed of parts of both original ideas. Think sporks, or platypuses (platypi?). A new and functional thing that could not occur without the unique meeting of disparate ideas.

Bring Community Together

Next we build creativity teams using people that make up the extended classroom community. That could be students, teachers, family members, local business owners, elected officials-- anyone really who is excited to contribute what they know to classroom learning. All people bring together a diverse and exciting set of skills, knowledge and abilities. We work together to surface the concepts available to combine.

Then the Magic Happens

Next, we use a process called Ideational Speed Dating to generate new and creative ideas for teaching and learning. We incorporate future units, themes, lessons or standards introduced by the teacher then apply the collected concepts to generate creative lesson ideas. In the example below, a parent who enjoys photography and the owner of a local coffee shop brainstorm lessons that could meet the second grade social studies standard "Describe and analyze the many ways students can affect their local community."

Lesson Planning and Impementation

Next we build detailed lesson plans that outline the learning goals, materials etc. so that the teacher can work with family/communty volunteers to implement the curriculum

Gathering Resources and Implementing Lessons

Next, we find the resources we need to make our ideas happen

Schools so often work from a scarcity model. "We can't do this idea because we don't have the time, the budget, the materials, the people etc. to make it happen." At 3C, we know that the community wants to provide the things and the space we need to make creative learning happen. In addition to knowing how to do things, we are all connected to people who can help us. If we need something, we either need to pay for it, borrow it, or get someone to give it to us. Luckily all of those things are possible if we have a network of support already built.

jay@create3c.org