Encourage tinkering with ideas, relationships, connections. Set up situations where students have to find information not readily available in school texts. Provide opportunity for students to design open-ended explorations of the concept. Provide multiple options so students can plan a unique "proof" of learning.

Working in groups of eight, students plan a creative way to act out the parts of a cell.

Objective: To have the students own and "play with" the functioning parts of the cell.

Activity: Working in approximately three groups of eight, the students plan a creative way to act out the parts of a cell. Essentially, they are designing one more metaphors in which they act out their understanding of the cell and its organelles. They can write a play and get dressed up to match the functions of the organelles, or they can write a rap song or a long rhyming poem, or even become a living model.

Assessment: Creativity and participation of the group members.