Creative Problem Solving

7th Grade Exploratory

 

Theme:           Creativity

Essential Questions:              In what ways are we creative?

How can we draw on different individual strengths in groups work?

 

Objectives:                            

  1. Develop skills for working in a group.
  2. Recognize the importance of every idea presented.
  3. Understand that there are no right or wrong answers to the challenges presented.
  4. Identify the strengths of group members and build on them
  5. Create unique solutions to problems.
  6. Understand the properties of materials provided.
  7. Analyze information in order to develop strategies for problem solving.
  8. Present creative solutions to a larger audience.

 

Activities:

  1. Instant challenges that are both verbal and performance based.
  2. Construction challenges.
  3. Improv challenges with and without props.
  4. Long-term (2 week) problem that will have a performance component.

 

Here is a challenge you might want to try:

MOUSE HOUSE

It is getting cold and wet here in Maine. Snow is coming! The mice are making

preparations to move into their winter home. Don’t let it be your house!

Challenge: Create an advertising commercial, including a model of an attractive

beach house in Florida, to encourage the local mice to leave the state

for the winter.

Time: Part One: You will have 5 minutes to write your commercial about

moving some place warm and to create a model of a new home.

Part Two: You will have 2 minutes to sell your idea to the mice

(and the appraisers).

Materials: 5 sheets of construction paper

6 mailing labels

3 paper cups

10 toothpicks

(one sea shell, if you can find one)

scissors and markers (may not be included in the solution)

Scoring: up to 30 points for the creativity of the commercial

up to 30 points for the appeal of the model house

up to 20 points for the creative use of materials