Student Worksheet

What is Imagination? - Activity Instructions

Students will...

You will learn about various beliefs, definitions and theories of imagination
You will learn about ‘growth mindset’
You will learn how to improve your imagination.

Students can...

You can describe the difference between imagination and similar terms
You can write an online article about imagination
You can imagine a positive future.

Watch IMAGI-NATION{TV}:

Watch this IMAGI-NATION{TV} video:

What is Imagination? (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Xqf9HuqOH4)

Find all the IMAGI-NATION{TV} episodes on AIME’s Youtube channel (https://www.youtube.com/aimementoring)! You can learn more about each episode in the video description.

Part A: Dig Deeper

Step 1.

Note down three things about imagination that stood out to you from the IMAGI-NATION{TV} clip you watched:

Step 2.

Write what you think imagination is:

Step 3.

List some words that you think are similar to imagination and write them in the first column of the table below. Then look up their definitions and write those in the second column. Hint: Don’t forget to record where you found the definition! We’ve included an example for you.

Step 4.

In your own words, complete column three of the table above. Write how the word is similar, or different to ‘imagination’. Hint: You may need to explain what the word means in your own words first, to be able to do this effectively.

Step 5.

Read these famous quotes about imagination:

“Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.” – Albert Einstein

“Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions.” – Albert Einstein

“The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.” – Albert Einstein

“You are never alone when accompanied by imagination.” – Linda Poindexter

“Live out of your imagination, not your history.” – Stephen Covey

“Without leaps of imagination, or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning.” – Gloria Steinem

“You can’t depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus.” – Mark Twain

“Never be limited by other people’s limited imaginations.” – Mae Jemison

“The man who has no imagination has no wings.” – Muhammad Ali

“Imagination is the only weapon in the war against reality.” – Lewis Carroll

“Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine, and at last, you create what you will.” – George Bernard Shaw

“The only limit to your impact is your imagination and commitment.” – Tony Robbins

Sources:

Step 6.

Highlight or circle three quotes that stand out to you. Write them in your own words below:

Step 7.

Create a meme that describes in one sentence what you think imagination is.

Part B: Real-World Connection

Step 1 (optional).

Now we have a pretty good understanding of what you and other people think imagination is. But have you ever wondered how imagination actually works?

Watch this video:

The neuroscience of imagination - Andrey Vyshedskiy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7uXAlXdTe4)

This video uses the example of combining two different images (in your mind) into a new image that doesn’t exist in reality. But imagination is more than just linking images or ideas together.

Dr. Murray Hunter of the University of Malaysia Perlis suggests that there are eight different types of imagination!

These are:

Effectuative Imagination combines information together to synergize new concepts and ideas.
Intellectual (or Constructive) Imagination is utilized when considering and developing hypotheses from different pieces of information or pondering over various issues of meaning; say in the areas of philosophy, management, or politics, etc.
Imaginative Fantasy Imagination creates and develops stories, pictures, poems, stage-plays, and the building of the esoteric, etc.
Empathy Imagination helps a person know emotionally what others are experiencing from their frame and reference.
Strategic Imagination is concerned about vision of ‘what could be’, the ability to recognize and evaluate opportunities by turning them into mental scenarios.
Emotional Imagination is concerned with manifesting emotional dispositions and extending them into emotional scenarios.
Dreams are an unconscious form of imagination made up of images, ideas, emotions, and sensations that occur during certain stages of sleep.
Memory Reconstruction is the process of retrieving our memory of people, objects, and events.

Source: https://www.teachthought.com/learning/8-types-of-imagination/

Answer these questions:

• Which of the listed 8 types of imagination do you use most?

• Which would you like to develop?

• Do you agree there are eight types of imagination? Why/why not?

Step 2.

Some people believe you are either born with a great imagination, or you’re not.

But we can train our imagination so that we become more innovative, hopeful and empowered. This is linked to what is called a ‘Growth Mindset’.

Watch this video and answer the questions below:

Developing a Growth Mindset (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUJkbWNnNy4)

• What are the consequences of choosing a fixed mindset, or fear-based mindset?

• What are the consequences of choosing a growth mindset?

• Which mindset do you currently use more often?

• What strategies could you use to have more of a growth mindset?

Part C: Reflect

Step 1.

Read this quote and answer the questions below:

“AIME is a place of imagining our human potential - seeing our humanity - our shared humanity - and expecting the best in our ability to create a world where every person feels worthy... And we’ve learned that imagination was our superpower, it’s our gift to kids and to planet earth, to remind humankind that imagination may in fact be everything, the beginning of every action, of every idea, of everything we do, and every thing we are, AND the absolute and utter key to changing paradigms, shifting mindsets, and unlocking this mysterious door of empathy that can take us into new corridors of design to see, feel and then create other ways of being.”

~ Jack Manning Bancroft, Founder, AIME

• Do you believe imagination is always good? Why/why not?

• Do you believe imagination is a superpower or gift to the world? Explain your thinking.

• Do you believe that imagination can help us become better people? Explain your thinking.

• Do you believe you can get better at imagining?

Step 2.

Read the below article from the Huffington Post. It’s written for adults and applies a growth mindset and advocates for imagination.

5 Reasons Imagination Is More Important Than Reality

Write a short article for kids your own age, using the same title:

5 Reasons Imagination Is More Important Than Reality

Hint: Make sure you list your five reasons clearly!

Part D: Imagine

Step 1.

Watch this music video and follow along with the song lyrics below:

Imagine - John Lennon & The Plastic Ono Band (w The Flux Fiddlers) (Ultimate Mix 2018) - 4K REMASTER (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOgFZfRVaww)

View the lyrics here: http://www.songlyrics.com/john-lennon/imagine-lyrics/

Share this song with a friend or family member and discuss the following questions:

Why do you think John Lennon wrote this song?
How does John Lennon use the idea of imagination in this song?
What similar words to imagination are used in the lyrics?
Have any ideas in this song come true yet?
Do you think this is a hopeful vision?
Do you think John Lennon had a growth mindset? (optional)
Which of the eight types of imagination are demonstrated in this song? (optional)

Step 2.

Did you try to imagine John Lennon’s ideas as you listened to his song? If not - go try it. Were you able to imagine these ideas?

Describe what happened when you tried:

Step 3.

Watch this video:

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory - Pure Imagination Scene (4/10) | Movieclips (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIYNk4ARUR8)

In this video, Willy Wonka is showing the children and their guardians around his famous chocolate factory. As you can see in the video, it is an incredible world born purely from his imagination. In the lyrics of the song, Willy Wonka says the following:

“If you want to view paradise
Simply look around and view it
Anything you want to, do it
Wanna change the world?
There's nothing to it”

Source: http://www.songlyrics.com/willy-wonka/pure-imagination-lyrics/

Step 4.

Describe what paradise would look like for you:

Taking it Further

Now it’s time for you to use your imagination to create your own paradise!

Option 1.

Create a training program for yourself that you can use to expand your imagination. You might like to use this IMAGI-NATION{TV} clip to help you come up with ideas (only watch from 9:42 to 12:23):

Adam Spencer & more on imagination | IMAGI-NATION{TV} 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4MRUg-7Vmw&t=988s) (9:42 - 12:23)

This article also lists some fun ideas to try:

Creative Exercises To Get The Wheels Turning (https://www.thebalancecareers.com/creative-brain-exercises-39352)

Option 2. Write a letter to your current self from your future self (five, ten or twenty years older) that describes all your successes and how you got there. Use your imagination to transport yourself forward into your ideal future. What have you created? What have you achieved? How have you helped the world? What problems have you solved? Describe them all in vivid detail and get excited - maybe even take the first step!

Option 3. Make a video, play, poem, song, picture, story, ebook, collage or game that represents any of the following:

You, living your best imaginable life
Your hopeful vision for your community
Your hopeful vision for the future of planet earth.

Here’s a little something to inspire you:

The AIME Anthem 2017 (https://vimeo.com/240911502)

If you’re keen to step ‘out of the comfort zone’, share your artwork on #imaginationTV.

IMAGI-NATION{TV} - What is Imagination?

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IMAGI-NATION{TV} - What is Imagination?

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