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Creative Problem-Solvers

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Monica Pedroza

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Creative Problem-Solvers

Enhance problem-solving skills

Students will engage in activities designed to challenge their problem-solving abilities and foster critical thinking and creativity. This lesson will help students develop essential skills for academic and life success, such as analytical thinking, creativity, and perseverance.

Audience

Grade 5 Students

Time

1 hour

Approach

Enhance problem-solving skills

Materials

Whiteboard and markers, Printed Worksheet, and Printed Discussion Questions

Step 1

Introduction

5 mins

  • Greet the students and explain the importance of problem-solving skills in everyday life.
  • Provide examples of common problems they might face and discuss how solving problems can help them.

Step 2

Group Activity: Building Towers

20 mins

  • Divide students into small groups and give each group a set of materials (e.g., spaghetti, marshmallows).
  • Challenge the groups to build the tallest freestanding tower within 15 minutes.
  • Encourage creative thinking and teamwork.

Step 3

Discussion

10 mins

  • Use the provided discussion questions to facilitate a conversation about the challenges faced during the tower-building activity.
  • Discuss different strategies groups used and what they learned about problem-solving.

Step 4

Worksheet: Problem-Solving Scenarios

15 mins

  • Hand out the worksheet with various problem-solving scenarios.
  • Have students work individually or in pairs to come up with solutions to the scenarios.
  • Encourage them to think creatively and critically.

Step 5

Closure

10 mins

  • Have a few students share their solutions to the worksheet scenarios with the class.
  • Summarize the lesson's key points and reiterate the importance of problem-solving skills.
  • Thank the students for their participation and effort.

Step 6

Exit Ticket

5 mins

  • Distribute a quick quiz to measure students' understanding of the lesson.
  • The quiz will have questions related to the activities and discussions from the lesson.
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Discussion

Discussion Questions

Questions to guide a reflective discussion on the tower-building activity and the problem-solving process.

What strategies did your group use to build the tower?

Encourage students to describe their approach and discuss any challenges they faced.







What was the hardest part of the activity? How did you overcome it?

Prompt students to reflect on specific difficulties and how they problem-solved their way through them.







If you could do the activity again, what would you do differently?

Have students think critically about how they might improve their approach in the future.







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Worksheet

Problem-Solving Scenarios

A worksheet with different scenarios for students to practice problem-solving skills.

You are stuck on a homework problem that you don't understand. What steps would you take to solve it?

Think about resources or strategies that could help.







Your friend is upset because they lost their favorite toy. How would you help them find it?

Consider different places to look and ways to calm your friend.







Your group can't agree on how to design a project. How would you handle the situation?

Think about ways to mediate disagreements and find a compromise.







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Quiz

Problem-Solving Skills Exit Ticket

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