Learning Links
Crime / Deficit / Racism / Mysteries / Legislation / Scheduling / Diagnosis / Budgets / Crisis / Conflict Resolution / Conservation / Technology / Planning/Design
Demonstrators should be read from bottom to top, but need not be demonstrated sequentially.
Elementary Demonstrators
• Identify a problem.
• Gather and organize information on a problem.
• Explore strategies to solve a problem.
• Consider alternative solutions to a problem.
• Choose a solution; evaluate the effectiveness of solution.
Middle School Demonstrators
• Define a problem; gather and organize information about the problem.
• Identify alternative solutions to a problem.
• Establish evaluative criteria for testing alternative solutions.
• Apply criteria to alternative solutions.
High School Demonstrators
• Gather and organize information on alternative solutions to a defined problem.
• Establish and apply evaluative criteria for testing alternative solutions.
• Justify the strategy and solutions, based on the evaluative criteria.
• Implement a solution; evaluate its effectiveness; monitor and adjust as needed.
Sample Teaching/Assessment Strategies
Collaborative Process: Cooperative Learning / Continuous Progress Assessment: Portfolio Development, Performance Events/Exhibitions / Graphic Organizers: Compare/Contrast Structures / Problem Solving: Brainstorming, Heuristics, Inquiry / Technology/Tools: Manipulatives, Computers / Whole Language Approach / Writing Process
These sample strategies offer ideas and are not meant to limit teacher resourcefulness. More strategies are found in the resource section.
Ideas for Incorporating Community Resources
• Invite local disaster preparedness official (e.g., Civil Defense representative, National Guard) to discuss problems encountered during a disaster.
• Visit a local government meeting to observe how problems are addressed.
• Interview the owner of a small business to determine problems experienced in setting up a business.
Core Concept - Problem Solving
Sample Elementary Activities
• Create a questionnaire to identify a problem which exists at school. Record the data on a database and graph the result. Brainstorm solutions and recommend one to your teacher or principal. PE, OE, P
• Write and perform a drama which presents a solution to an "unsolved" mystery from your community history. PE, OE, P
• Read a story and create a list of problems confronted by the characters. Choose one problem and develop a possible solution. OE, P
• Design and build a hot air balloon using tissue paper. Complete a test flight. Describe the problems confronted in the process and explain how solutions were developed. PE, OE, P
Sample Middle School Activities
• Design a container to ship a fragile object (e.g., egg, bottle). Experiment with the design to verify its effectiveness (e.g., drop, toss). PE, OE
• Write a bill which proposes solutions to a resource conservation issue. Prepare a list of supporting arguments and present to your legislator. PE, OE, P
• Propose solutions to the student council for the restroom graffiti problem. PE, OE
• Assess your learning strengths and weaknesses. Find a peer who complements your weaknesses. Develop a plan to monitor improvement. PE, OE, P
Sample High School Activities
• Design, build, and select a site for a doghouse which will most efficiently protect the dog from fluctuations in temperature. PE, OE
• Redesign the existing school program so that it is appropriate for meeting the demands of education reform in Kentucky. Present your recommendations to the school-based council. PE, OE, P
• Identify reasons why a machine (e.g., car, lawn mower, sewing machine) is not working properly. Apply a problem-solving process and repair the machine. Check periodically to ensure that the machine continues to work. PE, P
Organize a team forum to examine issues which affect the youth of the community. Invite public officials to attend and respond to the issues. Research possible solutions and present your findings to the forum participants. PE, OE, P