Authentic Problems, Authentic Learning
In this post, we share a creative problem-solving lesson in which third grade students investigated solutions for endangered animals, using an authentic problem to create authentic learning.
Reading about the problems Endangered Animals face.
In this week’s creative problem-solving lessons, students investigated endangered animals. First, this group of third graders read about the problems and threats the animals face. They generated a list of the threats and discovered that humans are the main cause of many of the problems these animals face.
After building background knowledge, we worked together to generate questions. The students came up with several great options and finally settled on the question: How might we help endangered animals? They felt this was a broad question but that with some guidance they would be able to narrow their focus to help.
Force-Fitting, Finding Solutions
Using the Force-Fitting strategy to generate many, varied, and possible solutions to the problem.
Force-fitting involves using unrelated items and forcing them together to create a new or unusual option for solving the problem. Force-fitting can also help move a group away from familiar ideas and push them into generating new and unique ideas. For this lesson, students listed “Natural and Man-Made Threats” to endangered animals. Then they added to lists of “Resources” and “Ways to Help”. After students generated their ideas, they cut the squares apart, placing each group of ideas under a category heading.
One by one, they flipped over a card from each pile. Using this strategy, the students generated a list of options to consider. The options to consider were:
work to fix global warming by creating a public service announcement.
write letters to politicians about the severity of invasive species.
work with a zoologist to raise money for animal sanctuaries for animals whose habitats have been destroyed.
would work to create a webinar about over-hunting.
Weighing the Options, Comparative Analysis
Using a Comparison Analysis to decide on the course of action.
Next, we used a comparison analysis chart to decide on which of the options we’d like to further develop. A comparison analysis is useful when several ideas/options are appealing to you, but you may only select one. This is also useful when you have a group and need to build consensus between several appealing ideas.
Steps for Comparison Analysis:
List the ideas/options to compare next to the letters (A-E).
Begin by comparing option A against each of the other letters. Circle your choice and then rate it as 1- close, 2-medium preference, or 3- strong preference.
Continue this process with the remaining options.
Look at the times you circled option A, then add up the number you gave for the preference. Continue with all the letters.
Identify the rankings from highest to lowest. Then analyze which of the options you wish to choose.
Tallying Results, Determining a Solution
Using this method, the students determined they would like to raise money for an animal sanctuary. We did some research and found an elephant sanctuary in our state. We decided to create a school fundraiser to help the elephants. Check out this cool website if you’d like to learn more or find ways to help the Tennessee Elephant Sanctuary.
Take-Aways
My third graders did very well with this lesson. They enjoyed the authentic nature of the problem and were thrilled to find a local connection to their solution.
It took some encouraging to push beyond the basic solutions. Wait-time was very helpful with this!
They were highly motivated to learn about all of the ways humans can negatively impact the environment. Many students went beyond our classroom and did further research to find other ways to help educate the community. Seeing this spill-over effect is always a great feeling for me as a teacher!
Next Steps:
I’m going to try another Creative Problem Solving Lesson with my second graders. We’re going to write new and creative “Pourquoi Tales” using some new pre-writing strategies.
How do you introduce Creative Problem Solving to your students? We’d love to share your ideas with us! If you need more ideas, check out our other posts on creativity here and here.
By Anna and Emily
