We've all had those days when we *ALL* needed a brain break!  A few years ago, while attending a creative thinking training, I learned about this amazing technique called S.C.A.M.P.E.R! 

S.C.A.M.P.E.R. increases higher order thinking!  

It can be used on its own, or incorporated into curriculum units.  It can take as little as 20 minutes, depending on your level of kids.  (For SURE you'll want to go through the process with your students ahead of time, but they'll get the hang of it in no time!) 

Here's how it works:  Your students  choose an object- actual ones in the classroom or a photograph of an object work best- and they think creatively to change the original idea into something new! 

Students do NOT have to do every component of S.C.A.M.P.E.R.  

(This is a great way to differentiate for your various levels of learners.) 

This is the organizer I use:  (Here's a link!) 

(Folding a sheet of paper into eighths, then labeling works  too!)

(Substitute)

Students will substitute a certain part of the original object.

* Who else or what else instead?*    

 (Combine)

Students will combine elements with something else. 

*What can you add from another object?* 

   

(Alter or Add)

Students will change or enhance one part of the object.

*What other idea does this part suggest?*

*Can you add motion?*

*Can you alter the color or create a new twist?*

(Magnify or Minify)

Students will change the size of one part of the object. 

*Magnify: Add more time?  Make it stronger?  Make it larger?* 

*Minify: Subtract?  Smaller?  Omit?* 

(Put to Other Uses)

Students will explain other uses for this object.

* How can it be used another way as is?*

*What is its new function after the the modifications have been made?*

(Eliminate)

Students will remove part of the object. 

 * How can taking away part of the object enhance it?* 

(Rearrange or Reverse)