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CREATIVE CONNECTIONS FOR KIDS

“What a team!
Thinking out of the box and out of this world!”

50 Spontaneous Problems to Ignite Your

Creativity

Fluency * Flexibility * Elaboration * Originality

Written by
Franny McAleer and her students

For more information and workshops on creativity,

contact Franny at franny@learnerslink.com or
724-941-4032
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Why Creative Connections?

Creative thinking and problem solving are skills that

are crucial every day! Our future depends on our ability to
look at every situation day with an open mind and an eye for
WHAT COULD BE! It can be thought of as a way of looking
at everything with an open-mind, a search for possibilities,
not one way or the right answer.

“WOW, LOTS OF WAYS TO GO! To the Future! ”

Creativity can be taught and nurtured in every area of

life. It can be applied to every area of the school
curriculum. It is the mission of all of us. With it change is
encouraged, challenged and sought!

As we design and redesign, shape and reshape, create

and stretch our imaginations, we build the future! We
nurture a positive attitude towards change, not fear!

As Einstein state – “Imagination is more important

than knowledge.”

Copyright 2001, Permission granted to include in REAL conference CD

to compliment presentation by Franny McAleer and for teachers attending
to use in their classrooms.
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Creative Connections has been a favorite activity of

many of my students because it focuses on the use of
imagination and creative thinking skills to generate unique
ideas and alternatives. The fifty (50) CONNECTIONS in
this series serve as a tool for students and are intended to
be an interesting strategy which encourages student
interaction, teamwork, and creative production. Emphasis is
on the Creative Thinking Processes – FFOE!

Fluency (quantity) * Flexibility (variety)

Elaboration (details) * Originality (novelty)

• Fluency Generation of an quantity, Flow

of thought
To think of the most – Large number of relevant
responses

• Flexibility Variety of ideas, Ability to

shift categories
To take different approaches – Detours in direction of thought
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• Originality Unusual responses, Clever,

Novel ideas
To think in novel ways – Production away from the
obvious

• Elaboration Embellish an idea, stretch

ideas or things
To add on to - Expand a simple idea or
response making it more
detailed, Add details

Creative Connections can be used as a warm up

activity, sponge activity at the beginning of class, as a
motivational strategy during a lesson or as a culminating
wrap up. They are designed to …

1. Encourage small group interaction.

2. Promote teamwork.
3. Nurture a positive attitude and self-esteem.
4. Teach and develop the creative thinking skills, FFOE!
5. Foster a climate in which risk taking and novelty are
valued.
6. Create an exciting child-oriented brainstorm in which
alternatives and possibilities are the goal.
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How do you use Creative Connections?

Students work in teams of four to six, one being the team

recorder. The teams might work on two or three CREATIVE
CONNECTIONS in a session.

The teams brainstorm the CREATIVE CONNECTION for

approximately three to five minutes. When the time is up the
students compare their responses with those on the COMMON
ANDSWER list. Since we are looking for FFOE, the responses that
are listed on the COMMON ANSWERS list receive one point. The
responses not on that list get three points. Ideas should be shared
among the groups to spotlight their originality. Sometimes a question
arises about the relevance of the answer. This is an excellent
opportunity to have the team explain how they came up with that idea.
That explanation can show a random, complex, series of connections
that without explanation you might not appreciate or understand.

As you record the scores from session to session, look for

growth in the number of responses and in the originality of them.
Teams can be changed if the interaction of the students warrants it.
Sometimes it is fun to try some unusual student combinations and see
how the brainstorming changes.

Parents, teachers and students are encouraged to write their

own CREATIVE CONNECTIONS. They can be a fantastic motivating
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device and connect with any lesson, topic, activity, hobby, interest,
current event …!

An energizing, alternate way of scoring is to have each group

select their most creative answer or two. The teams then share their
original answers, and if no other team has it, they get a point. The
teams get several chances to response and score. This takes more
time than the first method, but allows for more discussion and
understanding of what the teams thought of and the FFOE process!

CREATIVE CONNECTIONS are a beginning – a beginning of an

adventure with creative thinking. It is an interactive, fun way of
turning your students and children onto thinking for the future!

“What a team!
Thinking out of the box and
out of this world!”
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Creative Connections … Table of Contents

1. Three Wishes
2. Amusement Parks
3. Springtime Fun!
4. Valentine’s Hearts!
5. Attic Treasures
6. Picnic Fun
7. Christmas Surprises!
8. The Magic Show
9. The Haunted House
10. The Pittsburgh Steelers
11. Under the Weather
12. Explosion
13. It’s in the Bag!
14. Baby “Peanut”
15. Wintertime Fun
16. Alison, the Snow girl
17. Back in Time
18. Spinning!
19. Games Galore!
20. Midair!
21. Timber!
22. School Days!
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23. Hidden Staircase

24. Faster! 60, 70, 80 MPH
25. Space Explorer
26. Party Hearty!
27. Swinging Around!
28. School Mystery
29. A Birdseye View
30. Burgers and Fries!
31. Home Alone!
32. It’s Hatching!
33. Jungle Safari!
34. What’s cooking?
35. Trick or Treat!
36. To the SEA!
37. Snowball Magic
38. Safe at Last!
39. The Search! The Eureka!
40. Fall Into the Change
41. Stay Away! Safety First!
42. Take One! Take Two! Take Blue!
43. Behind the Door!
44. Thankful for …
45. Fireworks and the 4th
46. Future Quest!
47. Invention! Super Scooper
48. The Witness
49. Extra! Extra! Inventor Visits School
50. Turn on the Spotlight!
51. Create Your Own!
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Three Wishes

Have you ever wished upon a star?

Sometimes we cross our fingers to make
our wishes come true!

A magical fish once granted three wishes

to a lady who was walking on the beach!

King Midas wished for a golden touch, and

Cinderella wished to go to the ball.

If I had a wish, it would be for loyal

friends!

What wishes would you choose?

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Common Answers

1. Toys
2. Money
3. A pet
4. Family
5. Good grades
6. No homework
7. Peace
8. No more hunger
9. Happiness
10. New car
11. New clothes
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Amusement Parks

A day at an amusement park is out of this

world. So to kick off our summer
vacation, let’s spend a day at one!

Cedar Point! Six Flags! Kennywood!

Disney World!

There are lots of exciting, fast, and wet

rides to try! My favorite is the raging
rapids!

What other rides might we try?

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Common Answers

1. Roller coaster
2. Laser loop
3. Pirate ship
4. Raging rapids
5. Log jammer
6. Ferris wheel
7. Merry go round
8. Go cart track
9. Bumper cars
10. Salt and pepper shaker
11. Whip
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Springtime Fun!

April showers.
Bring May flowers!

How many times have you repeated this

rhyme?

It reminds us of the fun we have watching

the earth change and awaken to each new
spring season.

What things to you see change in the

spring?
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Common Answers

1. Flowers bud
2. Flowers bloom
3. Trees turn green
4. Potholes appear
5. Gardening
6. Baseball
7. Soccer
8. Roller blading
9. Water pistols
10. Bike riding
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Valentine’s Hearts!

On February 14th we celebrate

Valentine’s Day!

Do you give valentines to your special

friends to let them know how much you
care about them?

Some people use their creativity to

think of other things to give on this day!

Guess what they might be!

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Common Answers

1. Roses
2. Carnations
3. Sweet tarts
4. Chocolates
5. Cards
6. Lollipops
7. Chocolate kisses
8. Stuffed animals
9. Chocolate roses
10. A kiss
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Attic Treasures

The stairway leading to the attic always

intrigues me! What about you?

In my attic I see an old trunk way in the

back corner! And right next to it is this
comfortable

green chair, just

perfect for kicking back, relaxing, and
imagining -- imagining what else I will find
here and what in the world our family did
with some of these things!

What do you think might be in the attic?

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Attic Treasures

Common Answers

1. Old dresses
2. Wigs
3. Hats
4. Old books
5. Old letters
6. Blankets
7. Pillows
8. Old jewelry
9. Old gloves
10. Old blouses
11. Old coats
12. Broom
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Picnic Fun

A long time ago, pioneers had to eat

outside everyday when they were
traveling across the plains. Today lots of
us enjoy the novelty of eating outside, of
having a picnic.

In all kinds of weather I pack my picnic

basket and eat outside. Yes, even in the
snow!

What about YOU?

If you were packing a picnic basket, what

kinds of things might go in it?
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Picnic Fun

Common Answers

1. Plates
2. Cups
3. Napkins
4. Picnic tablecloth
5. Silverware
6. Lemonade
7. Rolls
8. Cheese
9. Potato salad
10. Lunch meats
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Christmas Surprises!

Twas the night before Christmas, and I

couldn’t wait any longer!

I crept down the steps and couldn’t

believe my eyes.

There were twinkling lights, holly, and

mistletoe too, but to my delight, presents
and more presents!

What to my surprise, what came before

my eyes?
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Christmas Surprises!

Common Answers

1. Wreath
2. My father
3. My mother
4. Cookies
5. Candy canes
6. Santa Claus
7. My sleeping brother
8. Rudolph
9. Stockings
10. Poinsettias
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Sailing, sailing, over the …

Sailing, swimming, boating, seadooing,

surfing, sunning and walking on the dunes!
Where are we?

I guess you can tell that we are at the

beach. Now pretend that you are there
on vacation too!

What kinds of things might we see at the

beach?
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Sailing, sailing, over the …

Common Answers

1. Sand and water

2. Shells
3. Rafts and floats
4. Beach balls
5. Boats
6. Beach blankets and towels
7. Buckets and shovels
8. Frisbees
9. Paddle balls
10. Beach umbrellas
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The Magic Show

Marty, the magician, was getting ready

for his holiday magic show!

He set up the magic table and put his

black top hat on it! The audience was
silent as Marty reached into the hat!

Surprise!

Guess what Marty pulled out?

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The Magic Show

Common Answers

1. Rabbit
2. Flowers
3. Lion
4. Another hat
5. Nothing
6. Pigeon
7. Rubber chicken
8. Mouse
9. Feathers
10. Cards
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The Haunted House

Halloween is the spookiest time of the

year! Inspector Ivan is checking out this
house to see if it is haunted!

How would you like to go to a haunted

house!

As we open the door and go from room to

room, I get very scared! Things grab at
me and swish past me!

What other things might scare you in this

haunted house?
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The Haunted House

Common Answers

1. Skeletons
2. Ghosts
3. Goblins
4. Witches
5. Creaky sounds
6. Chain saws
7. Axes
8. Blood
9. Fire
10. Vampires
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The Pittsburgh Steelers

I won the grand prize – a day with the

Pittsburgh Steelers football team!

As I entered the stadium, everyone was

hustling around! It was just hours before
the Sunday football game, and I could
feel the WIN in the air!

I was so excited that I ran towards the

locker room to meet my heroes!

As I opened the door, what do you think I

saw?
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The Pittsburgh Steelers

Common Answers

1. Football helmets
2. Footballs
3. Pants
4. Jerseys
5. Gloves
6. Mirrors
7. Pictures
8. Football spikes
9. Socks
10. Football players
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Under the Weather

I was feeling so sick, sicker than I had

ever felt before!

When we called the doctor, he said to go

right to the hospital!

We rushed to the car and arrived at the

hospital in record-breaking time! As the
emergency doors opened, what do you
think I saw?
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Under the Weather

Common Answers

1. Doctors
2. Nurses
3. Table
4. Chairs
5. Wheelchairs
6. Patients
7. Bandages
8. X-ray machine
9. Lights
10. Televisions
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Explosion … Baboom!

One day my friend and I were walking in

the park.

Suddenly the peace was shattered by a

very loud explosion only twenty yards
away! We ran towards the sound!
Curiosity took us closer and closer!

There it was! SHOCKED! AMAZED!

What do you think we saw?

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Explosion … Baboom ! ! ! ! !

Common answers

1. A plane crash
2. A loud radio
3. Car crash
4. A burst gas pipe
5. Oil well
6. Missile
7. Volcano
8. Geyser
9. UFO
10. Dynamite
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It’s in the Bag!

Was I ever hungry? Up and down the

grocery store aisles I walked, picking
treats for my lunch …

Candy … Cupcakes … Crackers … Rolls …

When I got home, I opened the trunk

and found that the bags didn’t have my
snacks in them!

Not one ounce of food.

Instead what do you think I found in

the bags?
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It’s in the Bag!

Common Answers

1. Leaves
2. Trash
3. Books
4. Clothes
5. Diaper
6. Paper
7. Lunch
8. Doggie
9. Garbage
10. Sand
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Baby “Abigail”

Finally I was an uncle. I felt as if I were

standing on the top of the world.
I was even more excited when I was
asked to baby sit for her.

After her parents left, I was all alone

with Abigail and very scared. I had
watched “Home Alone” and too many other
movies about babysitting mishaps.

And then it happened, just what I feared!

Abigail was screaming. I ran to her room!

What do you think I saw?

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Baby “Abigail”

Common Answers

1. Peanut
2. Crib
3. Picture on the wall
4. Baby blanket
5. Bottle
6. Tears
7. Rattles
8. Pacifier
9. Rocking chair
10. Baby clothes
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Wintertime Fun

Winter is the time for some cold weather

fun!

Igloo building … snowman sculpting …

snowflake catching … shoveling … snow
angel making … icicle licking …

What else can you enjoy doing in the

wintertime?
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Wintertime Fun

Common answers

1. Ski
2. Toboggan
3. Ice skate
4. Snowmobile
5. Build a snow fort
6. Sit by the fire
7. Ice hockey
8. Hot chocolate drinking
9. Walking in the woods
10. Sled
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Alison, the Snow Girl

Like magic, Frosty the snow man came to

life one day! When I looked at him, I
thought he looked lonely. So, I decided to
create a friend for Frosty!

I carefully rolled and sculpted the snow

and dressed my new “snow friend”!

Just as I put the ski cap on her head,

Alison, the snow girl, came to life!

Just like in the song about Frosty!

What do you think Alison did with her new

found freedom?
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Alison, the Snow Girl

Common answers

1. Danced
2. Said, “Hello!”
3. Kicked some snow around
4. Climbed a tree
5. Slept
6. Went to town
7. Sang
8. Laughed
9. Curled her hair
10. Melted
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Back in Time

One day in the not too distant future,

I visited the new space center! Some
scientists were busy working on a time
machine! It looked like a red sports car,
but that was just a disguise!

As I watched, they asked me if I wanted

to try it!

Of course, my curiosity kicked in and I

jumped aboard! The scanners started up,
and off I zoomed!

Back in time!

What did I see?

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Back in Time

Common Answers

1. Dinosaurs
2. George Washington
3. Abraham Lincoln
4. Tomorrow
5. First Moon Landing in 1969
6. A war
7. A pyramid
8. Thomas Jefferson
9. Space shuttles
10. Your own birthday
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Spinning!

It had been a long, long day at school!

You know, the kind when nothing goes
right!

I was staring at the clock! Watching

every tick, tock, tick, tock!
Wouldn’t this day ever end! Only five
more minutes until freedom!

I slipped into a dream state….

Suddenly the clock began spinning!

Swirling! Flying through time, forward,
backward! What was happening?
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Spinning!

Common answers

1. The janitor was adjusting the clock

2. The end of the world
3. Low battery
4. Electrical malfunction
5. A dream
6. Earthquake
7. Someone behind the wall was moving
it
8. The teacher was teasing me
9. Energy surge
10. Tornado
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Games Galore!

One winter day Mark went

shopping to buy a game for his brother
Michael’s birthday! The big question was
… “WHICH ONE!”

He loved Yahtzee! Taboo!

As Mark walked up and down the game

aisles, which games catch his eye?
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Games Galore!

Common answers

1. Checkers
2. Chess
3. Uno
4. Connect Four
5. Twister
6. Mastermind
7. Nintendo
8. Othello
9. Stratego
10. Pictionary
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Midair!

One bright sunny day I was enjoying

Flight 158 from Pittsburgh to Phoenix.
Suddenly I felt an enormous thud!! A
thud that made my heart skip a beat!

For the longest second I held my breath!

The plan had struck something in midair!

What would happen next?

What might have struck the plane?

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Midair!

Common answers

1. The runway
2. A shoe
3. A UFO
4. Shooting star
5. Wicked witch of the East
6. Planet
7. Satellite
8. Extraterrestrial
9. Another plane
10. Space shuttle
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Timber!

You and your two best friends are hiking

in the woods having a quiet time together!
As you turn to start walking home, a huge,
evergreen tree falls right in your path
just barely missing all three of you!

Shaking, trembling, …

Happily relieved to get back on the trail,

you look around, what might you see?
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Timber!

Common answers

1. The wind
2. A beaver
3. Lightning
4. Chain saw
5. Bear
6. UFO
7. Rotten spot on the tree
8. Plot by your two friends
9. Earthquake
10. Tornado
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School Days!

One morning I arrived at school a little

early. The room was dark and empty. On
the floor I discovered a purse.

Curiously I peeked inside and discovered

that it was a very unusual wallet. It was
not made of leather or plastic but a
glowing material that seemed to get
brighter the longer I held it!

Carefully I looked inside. What do you

think I found?
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School Days!

Common answers

1. Money
2. Keys
3. License
4. Bills
5. Pencil
6. Pen
7. Paper
8. Coins
9. Checks
10. Particles from outer space
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Hidden Staircase

Michael walked down the rows of books at

the library. He stopped and pulled out a
book that looked very interesting.
Suddenly the shelf split open. Michael
looked in and there he found a hidden
staircase! He climbed up the stairs.

As he did, a tiny man approached.

Who might he be?

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Hidden Staircase

Common answers

1. Little child
2. Midget
3. Librarian
4. Elf
5. Leprechaun
6. Dwarf
7. Goblin
8. Troll
9. Rip Van Winkle
10. Gremlin
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Faster! Faster! 60, 70, 80 MPH

As we begin the new millennium, many

things seem to go faster and faster!

You probably think about speed when you

are in your family’s car. Every time you
check the speedometer you are making
sure that the driver is driving safely! If
you do this, you do not have to worry
about flashing red lights stopping you and
giving you a speeding ticket!

What do you think of when you imagine --

things that are fast!
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Faster! Faster! 60, 70, 80 MPH

Common answers

1. Race cars
2. Jets
3. Airplanes
4. Trucks
5. Rockets
6. Space shuttle
7. Cheetahs
8. Cars on freeways
9. Athletes running track and field
events
10. People talking
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Space Explorer

In the year 2060 Hollie, Michael, Mark,

and Ed went to explore the newest planet,
Saigon! They put on their jet packs and
off they zoomed!

All of a sudden they discovered an odd

object in front of them! It seemed to
vibrate! The vibration grew to sound like
thunder!

What might it have been?

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Space Explorer

Common answers

1. Meteor
2. Space rock
3. UFO
4. Egg
5. Satellite
6. Crystal
7. Alien’s toy
8. Alien’s food
9. Alien egg hatching
10. Alien’s pet
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Party Hearty!

It was a cold winter day. A bunch of my

friends found themselves bored with
nothing to do. So they decided to heat up
the cold air and have a hearty party!

Food was needed!

I got the job of going to shop for the

sudden celebration. What junk food did I
buy!
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Party Hearty!

Common answers

1. Potato chips
2. Pretzels
3. Chip dip
4. Cookies
5. Cup cakes
6. Doritos
7. Milky ways
8. Gummy bears
9. Sweet tars
10. Pop or soda
 63

Swinging Around!

One sunny day I was outside enjoying

recess. I dashed for the swings! I got on
and started swinging, higher and higher!

I felt like I was swinging through space

thinking about things that swing and sway!

What did I picture?

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Swinging Around!

Common answers

1. People dancing
2. The Leaning Tower of Pisa
3. Flag poles
4. Tree branches
5. Rocking chairs
6. See saws
7. Swing sets
8. Lanterns
9. Stories
10. Skaters
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School Mystery

I hurried to school, anxious to start the

day! To my surprise no one was there yet.
I looked everywhere, but still no one!

Then I heard a noise in the gym!

I went to explore.

There was my answer…

What do think might have been

happening?
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School Mystery

Common Answers

1. Play practice
2. Gym class
3. Surprise party
4. Baseball practice
5. Weight lifting
6. Band practice
7. Teachers’ meeting
8. Open house
9. Assembly
10. Concert
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A Birdseye View

One day I decided to go exploring in the

nearby wetlands! I heard lots of
interesting sounds and saw sights that
remind me of how beautiful our
environment is. How critical the wetlands
are to all of us!

I climbed high in a tree to get a bird’s eye

view! While climbing the tree moved and
seemed to walk!

What could be happening?

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A Birdseye View

Common Answers

1. The tree was falling.

2. A strong man was moving it.
3. It was really the legs of a giant
walking.
4. A UFO was moving it.
5. The tree was really a person
dressed up.
6. A tornado was moving it.
7. A time machine was moving it.
8. A car hit it.
9. A mysterious wind was moving it.
10. I was dreaming!
 69

Burgers and Fries!

Today we are visiting the Rock and Roll

Restaurant. It is high on the top of a
building in the center of the city. As the
tunes play we start to enjoy our burgers
and fries!

As I bite into mine, something falls to the

floor! I stopped chewing immediately! I
grabbed my throat! I was afraid to look
at the floor and see what had fallen from
the burger!

What might I have found on the floor?

 70

Burgers and Fries!

Common answers

1. Dead fly
2. Cockroach
3. Tooth
4. Pin
5. Fingernail
6. Ring
7. Hair
8. Coin
9. Fuzz ball
10. Shell
 71

Home Alone!

With my parents at an open house, I

found myself home alone. I was sitting
around watching television and eating
popcorn. Then it happened! What I was
not prepared for! A NOISE from
upstairs!

I was petrified!

Suddenly, the house seemed strangely

quiet. I could hear myself breathing!

What might the noise have been?

 72

Home Alone!

Common answers

1. A pet pounced off the bed

2. The door banged shut
3. A toy fell
4. Pipes creaked
5. The alarm went off
6. The wind
7. Ceiling fell
8. Ball fell off the shelf
9. Toothpaste fell in the sink
10. Mousetrap went off
 73

It’s hatching!

“There it is! What could it be? It looks

like an egg!”

“But not an ordinary egg!”

“It must be from another… the Jurassic

Period? Jurassic Park all over again!”

“Wait, look, it is starting to wiggle, to

crack!”

“We’ll soon know! Stand back! Here it

comes!”

What do you think they saw as the egg

cracked open?
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It’s Hatching!

Common answers

1. Chicken
2. Dinosaur
3. Duck
4. Turtle
5. Tadpole
6. Butterfly
7. Rainbow
8. Baby
9. Air
10. New idea
 75

Jungle Safari!

At long last the adventure was to begin.

Our science class was going to take a field
trip to the jungle! Not the jungle at the
zoo, but the jungle in Africa!

I got off the plane and took a jeep deep

into the thickest part of the jungle. I
had always loved learning about wild
animals, but now I was going to see them
up close, right where they live!

What do you think I might see there?

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Jungle Safari!

Common answers

1. Tigers
2. Lions
3. Rhinoceroses
4. Monkeys
5. Cheetahs
6. Lions
7. Antelope
8. Zebras
9. Giraffes
10. Elephants
 77

What’s cooking?

Check out the stove at my house!

I never know what is cooking, and I can

tell you one thing, my mom is a health
food NUT!

She is always insisting that we eat

healthy!

So imagine this. It is dinnertime. I look

into the pot on the stove. What do you
think I might see?
 78

What’s cooking?

Common answers

1. Stew
2. Spinach
3. Broccoli
4. Chicken noodle soup
5. Chili
6. Vegetable soup
7. Chicken
8. Fish
9. Peas
10. Carrots
 79

Trick or Treat!

It was autumn. The leaves were falling

and the pumpkins were turning into Jack-
O-Lanterns.

Halloween was just around the corner! I

was thinking of the most creative costume
that I could make! A monster, dancer,
ghost, beetle, lion, tiger, or bear ….

I will never tell, so you won’t know when I

stop by your house.

As I rang the doorbell, a pumpkin

answered and gave me some candy! YUM!
What kind of candy did I get?
 80

Trick or Treat!

1. Sweet tarts
2. Kit Kats
3. Milky Ways
4. Skittles
5. M & Ms
6. Snickers
7. Babe Ruth
8. Tootsie Rolls
9. Twix
10. Nerds
 81

Oceanic Adventures!
Jump Aboard … to See the Sea!

A yachting adventure waits!

Off we go to enjoy an adventure at sea!

As we relax on our yachting cruise, we

have time to focus on the creatures that
call the sea their home! And with our
scuba gear we can become a part of their
underworld family.

As we peer into the sea, what do we see?

 82

Oceanic Adventures!
Jump Aboard … to See the Sea!

Common answers

1. Minnows
2. Sea foam
3. Jelly fish
4. Plankton
5. Coral
6. Dolphins
7. Sharks
8. Whales
9. Blue fish
10. Waves
 83

Snowball Magic

It’s a snowy day! The kids are outside

playing in the newly fallen snow! Snowmen
greet you as you hike through the forest.

And then, of course, there is the GREAT

SNOWBALL BATTLE!

As the snowballs start flying, one

magically changes!

Right before my eyes, it moves, squirms,

wiggles, changes …

What might it become?

 84

Snowball Magic

Common answers

1. Snowbird
2. Dinosaur
3. Robot
4. Elf
5. Alf
6. Snow puppy
7. Snow chick
8. Snow kitten
9. UFO
10. Frosty
 85

Safe at Last!

The forest was dense with trees with

little light getting into help me find the
trail. But I hiked on and on. I got lost
in the beauty of the woods, imagining all
of the people who had been there
before me.

In front of me a strange looking animal

appeared. I wandered off the trail to
follow him. Soon I found myself face to
face with a fierce cougar-like creature.
He had me trapped against a rocky
ledge. Something came swinging on a
vine and scooped me to safety!

What might it have been?

 86

Safe at Last!

Common answers

1. Tarzan
2. Jane
3. Snake vine
4. Monkey
5. Baboon
6. Orangutan
7. Swarm of friendly bees
8. Flying squirrels
9. Forest fire
10. Jungle boy

The Search! The Eureka!

 87

School kept me very busy. My favorite

class is Odyssey of the Mind. During
one of our spontaneous sessions,
my teacher asked me to get something
special out of my desk.

I knew I had it! But I also knew that

the creative search was to begin!
Organization was not my thing!
Soooooooooo….

When I opened the lid, there were lots

of things inside, but not what I needed.
That is always the way!

Eureka! To my surprise what do you

think I found in my desk instead?

The Search! The Eureka!

 88

Common answers

1. Pencils
2. Erasers
3. Papers
4. Books
5. Notes
6. Magic markers
7. Scissors
8. Pens
9. Crayons
10. Candy
 89

Fall into the Spirit of Change!

Last Fall I had a wonderful time playing

outside and watching all of nature’s
changes! There are so many things to
see and do during this season!

The squirrels prepare for the long

winter, and I spend as much time as I
can outdoors knowing that the long
winter is approaching!

What things can you imagine that

change?
 90

Fall into the Spirit of Change!

Common answers

1. Soccer plays
2. Leaf colors
3. Weather
4. Schools
5. The grass
6. Your mind
7. Vegetables when cooked
8. Television shows
9. Front page of the newspaper
10. Teachers in the new school year
 91

Stay Away! Safety First!

“Danger lurks around every corner!”

Have you ever heard this phrase? It is a

warning to you to be careful!
Stay away from dangerous situations!
Safety first everyday of your life!

Stop! Look! Listen!

What situations have you learned about or

can imagine that might present a
DANGER!
 92

Stay Away! Safety First!

Common answers

1. Taking candy from strangers

2. Talking to strangers
3. Walking in the street
4. Being close to sick people
5. Being close to poisonous snakes
6. Swimming in water that is too deep
7. Swimming in shark infested waters
8. Smoking
9. Alcohol
10. Drugs
 93

Take One! Take Two! Take BLUE!

Color is so important in our lives!

Everywhere you look you will find the
colors of the rainbow and more!

Artists use colors to show their thoughts,

ideas, and feelings!

Architects use colors to entice us to come

to school!

We use colors all day, everyday!

Some people have favorite colors! Do

you?
What things could be BLUE?
 94

Take One! Take Two! Take BLUE!

Common answers

1. Sky
2. Ocean
3. Eyes
4. Sweater
5. Dress
6. Carpet
7. Walls
8. Song
9. Sad moment
10. Suede shoes
 95

Behind the Door!

One night in a dream I found myself in a

room with a mysterious glowing door!

It seemed to draw me closer and closer!

I could not resist knowing what was
behind that door! But shaking, I carefully
opened it!

There I saw some unusual objects! What

do you think they were?
 96

Behind the Door!

Common answers

1. Ghost
2. Spotlight
3. Christmas tree
4. Star
5. Glow-in-the-dark Frisbees
6. UFO
7. Another glowing door
8. Fire
9. Alien
10. Candles
 97

Thankful for …

It was a traditional Thanksgiving – turkey,

stuffing, cranberries, and sweet potatoes.

I loved chowing down with my family and

friends!

I also like giving thanks for all of the

things for which I am thankful!

What things might be on my list? Which

would also be on yours?
 98

Thankful for …

Common answers

1. Family
2. Health
3. Home
4. Clothes
5. Friendships
6. Toys
7. Cars
8. Bike
9. World peace
10. Vacations
 99

Fireworks and the 4th

Summertime brings lots of special times.

One that I am thinking of it the birthday
of the United States of America!

The Fourth of July!! A day for

FIREWORKS!

It is just like celebrating your own

birthday.

What might you see and do on this special

day?
 100

Fireworks and the 4th

Common answers

1. Fireworks
2. Patriotic songs
3. Radios playing
4. Sparklers
5. Firecrackers
6. Fire trucks
7. Picnics
8. Bands
9. Parades
10. People eating and walking
 101

Super Scooper

Happy Days! Celebrating Invention!

Creativity! New Ideas! Eureka!

My invention, the super duper music

scooper was chosen to be on the Dr. Fad
Invention Show!

It was so exciting to share my new idea

with so many creative people.

For being on the show, I won a shopping

spree at the mall!

In which stores do you think I shopped?

 102

Super Scooper
Common answers

1. Penney’s
2. Sears
3. Gap
4. K-Mart
5. Target
6. Toys-R-Us
7. Circuit City
8. The Limited
9. Old Navy
10. Lerner New York
 103

The Witness

A youngster went to mail a letter for his

mom. All of a sudden a stranger jumped
from a passing car and grabbed the
youngster.

You witnessed the scary event.

Even though you only had seconds, what

could you look for that might help the
police?
 104

The Witness

Common answers

1. Kind of car
2. Color of car
3. License number
4. Eyes
5. Face
6. Hair
7. Clothes
8. Marks on the stranger
9. Other people in the car
10. Stuff on the seat
 105

Extra! Extra!
Inventor Visits School

This headline describes a special day

in you life! You have the power to bring
any inventor to your school. You scan
your memory to select just the right
person!

Someone who shares your passion for

creativity!

Someone who will be interesting to the

students…

Which inventors stand out in your mind

as being interesting and important to our
country?
 106

Extra! Extra!
Inventor Visits School

Common answers

1. Edison
2. Bell
3. Eastman
4. Whitney
5. Ford
6. Wright brothers
7. Otis
8. Howe
9. Franklin
10. Westinghouse
 107

Turn on the Spotlight!

You have the opportunity to go any place

you want, learn whatever you want, and do
whatever you want!

You can be like the beacon on the

lighthouse and explore things that have
never been explored before.

Where might you go? What might you

do? What might you learn?
 108

Turn on the Spotlight!

Common answers

1. Explore space
2. Explore the ocean
3. Fly faster than anyone else
4. Learn about medical discoveries
5. Learn about genetics
6. Learn about interesting inventions
7. Learn about the stars and other
galaxies
8. Learn about satellites
9. Visit a space station
10. Talk with the animals