Primarily Problem Solving: Creative Problem Solving Activities, Grades 2-4

Creative Problem Solving (CPS) is a process that allows people to apply both creative and critical thinking to find solutions to everyday problems. It is a way to enhance creative behavior and also a systematic way to organize information and ideas in order to solve problems. The overall goal of CPS training is to improve creative behavior and problem-solving behavior. The skills involved are:

• ability to select relevant information
• ability to summarize information
• ability to analyze social situations,
• ability to think creatively to generate possible solutions,
• ability to evaluate options based on given criteria,
• ability to plan activities to accomplish a goal, and the
• ability to make inferences.

Primarily Problem Solving allows you to give your younger students a head start on problem solving. This book presents creative problem solving in a step-by-step manner young children can understand and enjoy. Use the CPS process to solve the problems of the Three Little Pigs, Rapunzel, and the Frog Prince, as well as more common family problems. Each problem includes illustrated worksheets to take students through each step of the problem-solving process. Teaching notes give instructors additional ideas for using creative problem-solving techniques in the classroom.

Fun problems and step-by-step guides will take students successfully from the fuzzy beginning to an effective end. The end result is confidence in being able to think through a solution, rather than just latching on to the most obvious solution. Use these exercises as a part of your thinking skills class or creativity training, as supplementary reading assignments, or as a technique to solve conflicts in the classroom.