As teachers, we directly influence the future problem-solvers and innovators of tomorrow. It’s important to remember that creativity (a skill necessary for innovation) needs to be consistently nurtured. Students need a variety of opportunities to develop their creative and problem-solving skills. Today, I want to chat about ways that teachers can help students flex those creative problem-solving muscles.
1. Creative and Problem-Solving Challenges
Creative activities don’t need to be these huge, time-consuming activities. We can incorporate activities that spark students’ curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving skills in 5 – 10min increments like during morning meetings or brain breaks or for those awkward moments where you only have a few moments before recess or an assembly. Here is a collection of activities that I use that are super quick (only about 5 min. each!), fun, and allow students to think outside the box. For example, students are challenges to redesign the everyday backpack, make predictions about the communication of the future, or create a illustration based on music. By using these Morning Meeting SparkStart Activities, I am encouraging creativity and problem solving throughout my students’ day!
2. Problem-solving Discussion Cards
As you know, sometimes students have a hard time independently solving some of the simplest of problems (like not having a pencil LOL!). I’ve realized how important it is to have regular classroom discussions about common problems students experience to help give them the confidence and tools to problem-solve on their own. That’s why I created these Problem-solving Discussion Cards. These discussion cards present real-life scenarios related to all types of problems (i.e., related to classroom routines, safety, ethics, academics, communication, and friendships) so we can discuss possible solutions together. The purpose of these problem-solving discussion cards is to help students understand that THEY have the ability to problem-solve on their own or initiate a solution by getting an adult.
3. Teamwork Activities
Another thing that I have added to my classroom to help with students’ creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills is teamwork activities. These collaborative challenges encourage students to work together and come up with innovative solutions together. From building the tallest free-standing structure with just toothpicks and marshmallows to creating their own short stories, these activities not only strengthen problem-solving skills but also highlight the value of teamwork and collaboration.
Incorporating these quick activities into our daily routines doesn’t just break up the monotony; it actively cultivates a mindset geared towards innovation and creative thinking. The beauty of these resources is that they’re not just “add-ons” but integral parts of a learning environment that values and encourages creative problem-solving.
What are your go-to strategies for nurturing creativity and problem-solving skills in your classroom? Share your experiences and let’s keep the conversation going! I’d love to hear from you 🙂
