Creativity and Writing - Teaching Creative Language in Schools

In this review of Creativity and Writing, the authors Kathy Goouch, Teresa Grainger and Andrew Lambirth present a clear, practice-focused examination of creativity in the classroom that will appeal to teachers and teacher trainers. The bottom line: this book is for educators who want a thoughtful, classroom-ready argument that children's creative use of language supports literacy development. Its single biggest strength is the way it treats teachers as practitioners and artists, encouraging practical activities and reflective approaches rather than abstract theory.

Key Features

• Focus on composition: Emphasises the composition process so teachers can help children express original ideas through writing.
• Teacher as role model: Encourages teachers to engage as writers and collaborators, which models creative language for pupils.
• Range of influences: Considers reading, talking and investigation as sources of creative language that shape children's inner and outer voice.
• Practical activities: Includes inspiring classroom activities drawn from everyday practice to stimulate imaginative writing.
• Illustrated examples: Uses numerous examples of children's writing to show how creative language develops in real classrooms.

Who It's For

This book suits primary and early years teachers, teacher educators and literacy coordinators who want pragmatic ways to nurture imagination in writing. It is especially useful for professionals looking for approaches that integrate spoken language, reading and investigative work into composition lessons.

Those seeking a technical textbook on assessment metrics or a tightly structured curriculum guide may find this less useful; the emphasis here is on reflective practice and creative pedagogy rather than prescriptive testing procedures.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Practical classroom strategies that teachers can adapt immediately.
• Strong emphasis on the teacher's creative role as a model and collaborator.
• Concrete examples of children's writing that illustrate development of creative language.

Cons

• Not a step-by-step curriculum for standardized assessment, which limits use in test-driven settings.

Specifications

Our Verdict

Creativity and Writing is a valuable resource for educators who want to foster imaginative composition and view teachers as creative practitioners. It offers accessible activities and reflective discussion that make it good value for schools seeking to enrich writing teaching beyond mechanical skills.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book include classroom activities?
Yes. It contains a range of inspiring practical activities that can be adapted for different age groups.

Is it suitable for teacher training?
Yes. The book's reflective stance and focus on the teacher's role make it well suited to teacher education and professional development.

Will it help with standardized assessment?
Not directly; the emphasis is on creative pedagogy rather than assessment protocols.