Creative and Critical Thinking Lab

Creative and Critical Thinking Lab

During the Creative and Critical Thinking special, students listen to stories and participate in fun experiences centered on one of nine creative and critical thinking strategies, such as visualization or questioning. Every lesson gives students an opportunity to practice their new thinking skill and extend their creativity. The goal is for students to adopt these new ways of thinking and transfer them over to traditional academic subjects. CCT is supported by our Advanced Academics Program (AAP) and our STEAM lab.

Moments from Creative and Critical Thinking Lab

Second grade students learn about mind mapping, a process in which they can document their thinking about a subject.

Second grade students learn about mind mapping, a process in which they can document their thinking about a subject.

Kindergarten students listen to a story before a lesson. In CCT class, stories are often used as gateways to the thinking routines that students practice after the reading is finished.

Kindergarten students listen to a story before a lesson. In CCT class, stories are often used as gateways to the thinking routines that students practice after the reading is finished.

First grade students select materials to build a model of a go-kart.

First grade students select materials to build a model of a go-kart.

Our Creative and Critical Thinking Lab Specialist

Additional Staff Supporting Creative and Critical Thinking Lab

  • Gretchen Maxwell
    Gifted Education Teacher, ES

    Gretchen Maxwell has been a part of the Westlawn community for 17 years. She was first a parent volunteer, then a substitute teacher, next the 6th grade full-time AAP teacher, and now the Advanced Academics Resource Teacher (AART). She has a masters in gifted education and is AAP endorsed with the state of Virginia. She enjoys hiking with her high school teacher husband, reading, and catching up with her college-aged daughters.

  • Meghan Winters
    Resource Teacher, ES