Procedures to increase some aspects of creativity.

Eight fourth- and fifth-grade kids worked in teams.

The teacher told them what creative writing looks like.

Teams earned points for stories that showed fluency, flexibility, elaboration, and originality.

Kids also practiced for five minutes before each writing time.

The researchers watched the kids across three story topics to see if the points and practice helped.

Every child wrote more ideas and richer details after the points began.

Standard creativity test scores went up for all eight kids.

The gains stayed high when the teacher moved to the next story topic.

Ball et al. (1985) looked back at this study and nineteen others.

They agree that points and praise can spark creative work, but warn most studies mix instructions with rewards so we can’t tell which part matters.

Ballard et al. (1975) tried a different route: third-graders gave themselves their own rewards after scoring their stories.

That self-management trick also boosted writing, showing kids can run the system themselves.

Rasing et al. (1992) used a point system too, but took points away for ADHD behavior instead of giving them for creativity.

Both styles work; one builds up, the other takes away.

You can grow creative writing the same way you grow math facts: tell kids what counts, let them practice a little, and back it with team points.

Try a five-minute warm-up and a clear rubric next time you run writers’ workshop.

Watch fluency and originality rise without extra prep time.