Here is a list of resources to encourage mathematics creativity!
Videos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQgFly5-QlA
Two years ago, when Ivan Zelich was a 17-year-old school student, he co-developed a theorem that took the global scientific community by storm. He believes that the way that maths is taught in school needs to adapt and change – that we need to think of it as a creative journey and not simply a list of formulas to memorise. At age 17, Ivan Zelich co-developed a groundbreaking mathematical theorem that works faster than a computer and has applications in better understanding geometric structures. The Liang-Zelich Theorem paved the possibility for anyone to deal with the complexity of isopivotal cubics having only high-school level knowledge of mathematics. A paper on the theorem was published in the peer-reviewed, International Journal of Geometry, making Zelich and his collaborator Xuming Liang, the youngest contributors ever to the journal. Aside from his passion for numbers, Ivan is a swimming state champion, speaks six languages, and has represented Queensland in chess. He is currently undertaking his fast-tracked, undergraduate degree at University of Queensland.
Ted Talk by Dan Meyer. Today’s math curriculum is teaching students to expect — and excel at — paint-by-numbers classwork, robbing kids of a skill more important than solving problems: formulating them. Dan Meyer shows classroom-tested math exercises that prompt students to stop and think.
Books
Creativity and giftedness: Interdisciplinary perspectives from mathematics and beyond
This book provides readers with a broad view on the variety of issues related to the educational research and practices in the field of Creativity in Mathematics and Mathematical Giftedness. The book explores (a) the relationship between creativity and giftedness; (b) empirical work with high ability (or gifted) students in the classroom and its implications for teaching mathematics; (c) interdisciplinary work which views creativity as a complex phenomena that cannot be understood from within the borders of disciplines, i.e., to present research and theorists from disciplines such as neuroscience and complexity theory; and (d) findings from psychology that pertain the creatively gifted students.
Leikin, R., Sriraman, B., & SpringerLink ebooks – Education. (2016;2017;). Creativity and giftedness: Interdisciplinary perspectives from mathematics and beyond. New York: Springer. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-38840-3
This book discusses the relationships between mathematical creativity and mathematical giftedness. It gathers the results of a literature review comprising all papers addressing mathematical creativity and giftedness presented at the International Congress on Mathematical Education (ICME) conferences since 2000. How can mathematical creativity contribute to children’s balanced development? What are the characteristics of mathematical giftedness in early ages? What about these characteristics at university level? What teaching strategies can enhance creative learning? How can young children’s mathematical promise be preserved and cultivated, preparing them for a variety of professions? These are some of the questions addressed by this book.
Singer, F. M., & SpringerLink ebooks – Education. (2018). Mathematical creativity and mathematical giftedness: Enhancing creative capacities in mathematically promising students. New York: Springer. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-73156-8
First & Second Grade Math Activities
These activities are appropriate for ages 6 to 9. Browse to find the first or second grade math activities that work best for your student.
Reflections on Teaching for Mathematical Creativity
Math Teachers reflect on how they can incorporate creative activities when teaching math.
Cultivating Creativity in Math Class
Creativity in the mathematics classroom is not just about what students do but also what we do as teachers. If we are thinking creatively about the mathematical experiences we offer our students we can open up opportunities for them to be creative. In this article, Jennifer Piggott shares some of her thoughts on creative teaching, and how it can encourage creative learners.
Journal Articles
Mathematics Creativity in Elementary Teacher Training
Creativity plays an important role in mathematics learning, so teachers must provide students with appropriate learning opportunities. This means using tasks, in particular those with multiple solutions and/or multiple resolutions, that usually require creative thinking and it could be a possible way to promote creativity in students. In this paper, we identify some traits of creativity in elementary pre-service teachers through tasks productions used during math classes.