This series begins a series of lessons that I have used in class and have proven to be exciting, fun, and they give children a chance to work together, think together, and problem solve together. Problem solving doesn't have to be what comes to mind when the children are in math class. After all, the problems children are asked to solve in math are generally not problems at all, but contrived paragraphs designed in such a way that gives children minimal amounts of opportunity to problem solve. Problem solving truly does involve the art of thinking, not necessarily computing (which is how problem solving is conceived in math textbook programs).
In this particular lesson, which I borrowed from James Sonnenberg and Allan Windsor from their wonderful book Cooperative Learning, Thinking and Problem Solving has children using various materials to create specified items.
The teacher begins by giving children 2 pieces of 12 inch by 18 inch construction paper, one piece of 9 inch by twelve inch construction, one piece of 81/2 inch by eleven inch plain, one roll of masking tape, scissors, a pencil, and a ruler.
The teacher then instructs children that, in groups of three or four, they will use the materials given, and only the materials given, to make one object that holds water, one object that will keep rain off one member's head, a device that will magnify a voice, and a device that will show the exact measurement of one member's waist.
The teacher next gives children 45 minutes to complete the tasks at hand. When the 45 minutes is over the teacher invites children one group at a time to share their masterpieces while the other groups listen, perhaps focusing on how the other groups interpreted the assignment and comparing and contrasting various solutions.
Below is an example of my kids at work! They love this activity, and so will your children.
