Day 8 - Create

Creativity is for everyone - Plan for Creativity!

It’s about making something new that works—whether it’s an idea, artwork, invention, or project.

You can be creative by:

• Adding your own style

• Seeing problems in new ways

• Being okay with not having all the answers

• Taking smart risks

• Following your passions

As Vygotsky said, “everyday creativity” helps us all grow.

A hook (hanga) that sparks curiosity

Opportunities to engage deeply with the topic

Space to apply understanding in different ways

Choice in how they present learning

Chances to collaborate with other

Clear connections to the bigger picture of their learning

SISIMO

I first came across the word SISIMO in my early years of teaching. I was fortunate to have a forward-thinking digital colleague who embraced new ideas and encouraged us to explore and create using a wide range of tools.

Sight, sound, and motion (often called SISIMO in education and media literacy) are the three key elements used to grab attention, create meaning, and engage an audience — especially in visual media like film, advertising, or digital storytelling.

• Sight – What we see: colour, shape, images, movement, layout, facial expressions, symbols.

• Sound – What we hear: music, sound effects, tone of voice, silence, volume, pitch.

• Motion – How things move: camera movement, speed changes, animation, gestures, pacing.

When combined, these three work together to create mood, communicate ideas, and persuade or entertain.

Here is a SISIMO activity that I could use during our Film Study later this term. 

In this activity, we explore AI-generated images to create a background that matches the text we are reading. By adding a visual and then recording ourselves reading the text, students get to engage more deeply with the story. It helps with comprehension, makes the reading more memorable, and encourages creativity by connecting words with images and their own voices.

Make Creativity Multimodal

Benefits of Using a Multimodal Approach

• Engages Different Learning Styles: Combines visuals, sounds, movement, and text to reach learners who prefer seeing, hearing, or doing.

• Boosts Creativity: Encourages students to express ideas in multiple ways, like drawing, speaking, writing, or making videos.

• Improves Understanding: Connecting information through different modes helps deepen comprehension and memory.

• Builds Communication Skills: Students learn to share ideas clearly using images, words, sound, and gestures.

• Increases Motivation: Using varied media makes learning more fun and interesting.

• Supports Inclusion: Allows students with different strengths and needs to participate fully and confidently.

• Encourages Critical Thinking: Comparing how meaning changes across modes helps develop analysis skills.

In the busy rhythm of our school days, filled with lesson plans, unexpected changes, and countless responsibilities, it’s easy to overlook one essential element: creativity. Yet creativity isn’t an add-on; it’s at the heart of meaningful learning.

When we intentionally plan time and space for creativity, we nurture students’ imaginations, encourage problem-solving, and build resilience. Creativity helps students connect ideas, express themselves, and engage deeply with their learning.

Let’s remember that creativity can be woven into every lesson and moment. By embracing it, we empower both our students and ourselves to grow stronger, think bigger, and innovate for the future.