Hi friends!
This is just going to be a quick post without any pictures and probably too many words.
I recently had an a-ha moment while I was teaching my 7th graders (at least someone in the room is having them) and I had to share it with you guys.
We are in the middle of a unit on Inventing. My objective of the unit was not so much to have the kids come up with great inventions but to get them to tap into different forms of creative thinking and creating problem solving. (I should totally send this link to my principal since I am mentioning objectives, but I digress.) Tapping into creativity in different ways has been something we have been working on all year.
Last week, I taught them about the SCAMPER method. This is a method of idea triggering questions created by Bob Eberle in the early 1970’s.
It’s an acronym. Here’s the run down:
S- Subsitute
C- Combine
A- Adapt (also Adjust or Add)
M- Modify (also Magnify or Minify)
P- Put to another use
E- Eliminate
R- Reverse or Rearrange
So my little angels were assigned to use the Scamper Method to create a new and improved version of an already existing invention.
Before I let them “scamper off” to work on the assignment, I let them know that the scamper method could be used for many things. One example was to use it when cooking or baking. Asking these questions and making some scamper changes can help to perfect recipes.
Another use that could apply to them was when they are working on their creative writing. Asking some scamper questions could help move their writing forward.
Then……
BOOM.
(That’s the sound of my a-ha moment. So maybe it’s actually a “boom” moment)
My brain almost fried itself because I realized the scamper method is a great way to put together a room. Or even better, the Scamper Method could help you refresh an existing room!
(!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Those are just to show you how excited I am about this.
It’s so brilliant yet so obvious.
I mean Bob Eberle was like the Nate Berkus of the 70’s and he didn’t even know it!
Look at the list again and think about how this applies to decorating.
I’ll wait while you scroll up and look at it…..
Hello? Do you love it?
I don’t know about you but I am printing out the Scamper list and walking from room to room in my house.
Hello ottoman? Shall I put you to another use?
Hi couches, should I rearrange you?
Photos on the wall? Maybe I need to magnify you by putting you in more substantial frames…
Guess what storage bench? You might be eliminated!
I love this!
Hope it got you thinking.
Here’s a good link about Scamper with some Scamper questions.
Til next time friends.
xx
Suzanne
