Problem Solving Activities

Problem Solving Activities is a 120 page book designed to increase awareness of choosing specific solutions to problems and the long-term results of these choices. Some illustrated options will not solve the problem. Other options may resolve the problem over the short-term, but the long-term results usually indicate which choice is best.

• More than one good option or more than one bad option may be pictured. This gives the students the opportunity to compare the choices and their long-term outcome on the problem. It goes beyond simply choosing between good and bad.
• The worksheets provide the opportunity to talk about and compare long-term results. This ability is frequently thought to be a later developing skill. However, an awareness of outcomes should be encouraged at a young age. Verbalizing and comparing thoughts on what may happen is a key method in understanding long-term results.
• Verbalizing problem solving while using excellent cartoon illustrations to picture outcome is a strong approach to teaching this important language skill. Sharing ideas, verbalizing the strengths and weaknesses of the options, predicting long-term outcomes based both on personal experiences and common sense give students a good opportunity to understand how others in their peer group act. It identifies students who are concerned about others and those who are not able to see beyond the immediate solution. It allows students to compare doing what is right to doing what is wrong.
• The entire workbook should be discussed orally, providing an excellent opportunity to verbalise thoughts on a number of subjects.
• It is designed for a wide age-group - can be used from kindergarten through to adult. What the different age groups have to say is where the it will greatly differ. Each age group will bring in its own experiences and general knowledge.