Creativity Is Key!!

Several kids go through school doing EXACTLY what they are told to do on assignments. Almost every assignment in high school, and some in my 3 year college career, was outlined specifically for every student. Teachers were almost cloning assignments or dare I say....
Cloning their students!

By this I mean that teachers set out specific guidelines that do not allow for creativity or uniqueness. I do not want to grade 30 some-odd assignments where each one resembles the last almost exactly. I understand that class assignments are given for specific reasons, but that doesn't mean they should all have the same specific instructions on how to do every little detail. I want to encourage creativity in my class room, reiterate class room topics or concepts and still allow my students to create something of their own. I want my students to be proud of the work they do in my class. Just because it is a school assignment doesn't mean it can't be a work of art.