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Creative Problem Solving Adventure

mcquallias wright

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Creative Problem Solving Adventure

Develop Creative Problem-Solving Skills

Students will engage in a fun and interactive session designed to develop their creative problem-solving skills. This lesson includes puzzles, games, and group challenges to stimulate their thinking and collaboration. Creative problem-solving is a critical skill that helps students navigate complexities and find innovative solutions.

Audience

2nd to 4th Grade Students

Time

45 mins

Approach

Develop Creative Problem-Solving Skills

Materials

Printed Puzzles, Game Instructions, Printable Challenge Cards, Discussion Guide, and Worksheets

Step 1

Introduction

5 mins

  1. Welcome the students and explain the importance of creative problem-solving.
  2. Discuss how problem-solving skills can help in everyday life.
  3. Provide an overview of the day's activities.

Step 2

Warm-Up Activity: Team Puzzle

10 mins

  1. Divide students into small groups.
  2. Provide each group with a simple puzzle.
  3. Encourage students to work together to solve the puzzle quickly.
  4. Discuss the strategies they used and how teamwork played a role.

Step 3

Main Activity: Problem-Solving Challenges

20 mins

  1. Set up different problem-solving stations around the classroom.
  2. Each station will have a unique challenge or puzzle (e.g., logic puzzles, brain teasers, riddles).
  3. Have students rotate through the stations in their groups.
  4. Give each group time to discuss and solve the challenges.
  5. Monitor progress and provide hints if needed.

Step 4

Group Discussion

5 mins

  1. Bring students back together and discuss their experiences.
  2. Ask questions about the challenges they faced and how they worked together to solve them.
  3. Highlight creative solutions or strategies used by different groups.

Step 5

Closure and Reflection

5 mins

  1. Conclude with a brief reflection on the importance of creative problem-solving.
  2. Ask students to share one thing they learned and one strategy they found helpful.
  3. Encourage students to apply these skills in their everyday lives and future classes.
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Discussion

Creative Problem-Solving Discussion

Guide for the group discussion after the activities to reflect on problem-solving experiences.

What strategies did your group use to solve the puzzles?

Encourage students to think about specific approaches they tried, such as brainstorming, trial and error, or breaking problems into smaller parts.







How did working in a group help you solve the challenges?

Discuss the value of teamwork, how different perspectives contributed, and what roles different members took on.







What was the most challenging part of the activities?

Identify common difficulties and explore why they were challenging. Discuss how students overcame these challenges or what they might do differently next time.







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lenny

Worksheet

Problem-Solving Worksheet

A worksheet with additional problem-solving puzzles and questions for individual completion.

Solve this riddle: I speak without a mouth and hear without ears. What am I?

Consider something that can transmit information but doesn't have physical senses.







Draw a picture of a creative solution you came up with today.

Think about one of the challenges from the class and illustrate the solution.







Write a sentence about how you feel when you solve a difficult problem.

Reflect on the emotional aspect of problem-solving, such as satisfaction, relief, or pride.







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lenny

Worksheet

Printable Challenge Cards

Cards with various challenges and puzzles for students to solve in groups during the lesson.




Riddle: What has keys but can't open locks? (Answer: A piano)







Puzzle: Rearrange the letters of 'SCHOOLMASTER' to form another word or phrase (Answer: 'THE CLASSROOM')







Challenge: Find five different ways to use a paperclip.







Logic Puzzle: There are three boxes. One contains only apples, one contains only oranges, and one contains both. All are labelled incorrectly. You can pick one fruit from one box to label them correctly. What do you do? (Answer: Pick from the box labelled 'Apples and Oranges')




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