Creative Problem Solving (CPS) Students used the CPS tool, SCAMPER, to redesign their desks to better meet their needs. The letter C stands for combine, and students discussed inventions that combine two or more items to solve a problem or improve life. Two examples are alarm clocks and sticky notes. Students brainstormed issues they were having with their desks. High on the list? Too little surface space, pencils and crayons easily roll off, and they are hard to keep organized. Using the C in SCAMPER, each student thought about what they could combine to make them more user friendly. Ideas ran from combining two desks for more room to dividers inside. Several students combined their desks with robots that do homework!
Students became more metacognitively aware as they answered questions to help them think about ways they learn. Based on the work of Howard Gardener, this inventory required students to consider to what degree (on a scale of 0 – 2) each example fit them. The totals in each category were used to create graphs indicating each child may learn most easily. The teachers and I will use this information to create lessons that incorporate varying learning styles. See the chart below, right, for more information.
Students became more metacognitively aware as they answered questions to help them think about ways they learn. Based on the work of Howard Gardener, this inventory required students to consider to what degree (on a scale of 0 – 2) each example fit them. The totals in each category were used to create graphs indicating each child may learn most easily. The teachers and I will use this information to create lessons that incorporate varying learning styles. See the chart below, right, for more information.