As teachers, we sure love the skill of problem solving. After all, in a class of 30 students (each with their own daily sundry problems), the more they can figure out their pencil situation, bathroom needs, and minor spats among friends, the more energy we can devote to, well, teaching.
But of course, we all know there’s more to the skill of problem solving than classroom management. There’s empowering students with ownership. There’s equipping them with the ability to face future unknowns. And there’s helping them access solutions that will bring them joy throughout their lives.
Problem-solving is also closely tied to the growth mindset. As Carol Dweck has put it:
“In a growth mindset, people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work—brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment.”
Thus, with the growth mindset, we learn that our efforts are instrumental in helping us to grow, and are resilient when our initial solutions fail.
On that note, these are both resources I have shared with students in the past that have led to wonderful discussions on this topic:
Video of how the Panyee Soccer Club began amid less than ideal circumstances:
Anchor chart developed by the teachers at Fieldcrest Elementary School:
Provocation Questions:
- What makes a person a problem-solver?
- How does knowing that our brains are flexible help us with problem solving?
- What is our responsibility to the world to be problem solvers?
- What is our responsibility to ourselves to be problem solvers?
featured image: DeathToTheStockPhoto