• lenny-learning-logoLenny Learning
  • Home
    Home
    • Lessons
    Lessons
  • Curriculum
    Curriculum
  • Surveys
    Surveys
  • Videos
    Videos
  • Support
    Support
  • Log In
lenny

Idea Habit Explorer

karen Poffenberger

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Idea Habit Explorer Lesson Plan

Students will explore their own creative thinking patterns by identifying habitual ideas and practicing strategies to break mental routines, sparking fresh ideas and strengthening problem-solving skills.

Understanding and disrupting habitual thinking helps students approach challenges with flexibility and innovation—key skills for academic success and lifelong learning.

Audience

2nd–8th Grade Students

Time

2 sessions × 50 minutes

Approach

Hands-on exploration, reflection, and creative challenges.

Materials

Notebook, Pencil, Timer, Habitual Ideas Brainstorm Worksheet, and Creative Connections Challenge Sheet

Prep

Prepare Materials

15 minutes

  • Print one copy of Habitual Ideas Brainstorm Worksheet per student
  • Print one copy of Creative Connections Challenge Sheet per student
  • Gather timers, notebooks, and pencils
  • Review the flow in Idea Habit Explorer Lesson Plan

Step 1

Session 1: Exploring Habitual Ideas

50 minutes

  • Introduction (10 min):
    • Prompt students to list three everyday objects (e.g., paperclip, shoe, spoon) and write down all common uses they can think of.
    • Briefly discuss how we often default to the same ideas.
  • Concept Discussion (10 min):
    • Define “habitual ideas” as mental shortcuts our brains take.
    • Give real-life examples (e.g., using a book only for reading).
  • Brainstorm Activity (20 min):
    • Distribute Habitual Ideas Brainstorm Worksheet.
    • Students list at least five uses for a chosen object, then circle the three most “habitual.”
  • Share & Reflect (10 min):
    • In pairs, students compare their habitual uses.
    • Class discussion: What patterns did you notice?
    • Quick journal entry: How might you break these patterns next time?

Step 2

Session 2: Breaking Mental Routines

50 minutes

  • Warm-Up Recall (5 min):
    • Ask students to revisit yesterday’s object and habitual uses.
  • Introduce Strategies (10 min):
    • Present two creative-thinking strategies: Forced Connections (combining random ideas) and Random Prompts (using words/images).
    • Model each with a simple example.
  • Creative Connections Challenge (25 min):
    • Hand out Creative Connections Challenge Sheet.
    • Students spin a random word wheel (or pick a prompt) and force-connect it with their object to generate ten new uses.
  • Share & Evaluate (5 min):
    • Volunteers share their most unusual use.
    • Class votes on the most inventive idea.
  • Reflection & Wrap-Up (5 min):
    • Journal prompt: Which strategy helped you most? How will you use this in future projects?
    • Encourage students to apply these strategies in other subjects.
lenny

Activity

Habitual Ideas Brainstorm Worksheet

Name: _________________________ Date: ____________________

Chosen Object: ____________________________________________

1. List at least five different uses for your object:











2. Circle the three most habitual (common) uses from your list above:





3. Reflection

a. Which habitual use surprised you the most when you reflected on it? Why?







b. How might you break this mental routine next time to spark a fresh idea?







Great work! Be ready to share one habitual use you circled and your reflection in our next session.

lenny
lenny

Activity

Creative Connections Challenge Sheet

Name: _________________________ Date: ____________________

Chosen Object: ____________________________________________

1. Select a Random Prompt

Use a spinner, draw a slip from the hat, or roll a die to pick one of the prompts below. Write your prompt here:

Prompt Word/Image: ________________________________________





Prompt List (examples):

  • Leaf - Keyboard - Cloud - Bottle - Shoe - Candle
  • Balloon - Magnet - Key - Spoon - Button - Mirror

2. Forced Connections: Generate New Uses

Combine your Chosen Object with the Prompt to brainstorm ten creative uses. Be bold and imaginative!





















3. Reflection

a. Which one of your new uses surprised you the most? Why?







b. Which strategy helped you break your mental routine best: Forced Connections (combining ideas) or Random Prompts (using an unexpected word/image)? Explain.







c. How could you apply these creative-thinking strategies in another subject or real-life problem?







Great job! Be ready to share your most inventive idea with the class.

lenny
lenny