Enrichment in the Classrooms
Kindergarten
Kindergarteners use problem solving steps and strategies to figure out story problems. They know it is essential to understand the facts and find the questions. They think together to find ideas for solving the problems, using objects, drawings, charts, and equations to show their thinking. The children know that problem solvers work carefully and are willing to try several ways. They realize that every time they try, they get closer to a solution; problem solvers are fine with making mistakes. They apply logical reasoning to an array of problems, such as finding the best clue to work from, finding every way to combine numbers, making numbers grow according to a pattern, finding missing parts, and organizing clues to work with them effectively. Kindergarten students analyze fiction by finding setting, characters, problems, and solutions. They are learning to put all the pieces of a story together into the biggest idea or lesson. They read nonfiction carefully and are amazed by new information! They use their thinking and problem solving skills in all subject areas.
Kindergarteners use problem solving steps and strategies to figure out story problems. They know it is essential to understand the facts and find the questions. They think together to find ideas for solving the problems, using objects, drawings, charts, and equations to show their thinking. The children know that problem solvers work carefully and are willing to try several ways. They realize that every time they try, they get closer to a solution; problem solvers are fine with making mistakes. They apply logical reasoning to an array of problems, such as finding the best clue to work from, finding every way to combine numbers, making numbers grow according to a pattern, finding missing parts, and organizing clues to work with them effectively. Kindergarten students analyze fiction by finding setting, characters, problems, and solutions. They are learning to put all the pieces of a story together into the biggest idea or lesson. They read nonfiction carefully and are amazed by new information! They use their thinking and problem solving skills in all subject areas.
First Grade
First graders and students at all grade levels connect their math skills to problem solving. They began by studying pictures to notice everything and find possible problems. In small groups, students observe closely and discuss together what they can tell for sure and what they can infer from the pictures. They brainstorm many possible problems and then decide on the probable biggest problem portrayed, reporting it back to the whole group. This process helps them understand that problem-finding is often the first step in problem-solving. Students use a problem-solving approach in all subjects: Finding facts, finding problems, finding ideas, and finding solutions. In math, first graders, their teachers and I will continue working with tools like blocks, chips, and number lines to solve math problems that include words and often several steps. They then draw and show several ways to "prove" their solution is correct. The children will steadily grow in their ability to show their understanding of math concepts.
Second Grade
Second graders are learning about metacognition -- recognizing ways to plan and think -- using Edward DeBono's Six Thinking Hats, a well-known approach to clear thinking. We began by distinguishing between fact and opinion, which can be challenging even when reading nonfiction. The children consider facts about themselves -- things that can be objectively observed or discovered -- and examine their feelings and opinions. Then students read about nonfiction topics they select. They find out that scientists have researched and found new information over time. Students continue with yellow and black (gray) hat thinking, to find positive points and problems with our ideas: what are the benefits and what could go wrong? The students enjoy working creatively with green hat (creative) thinking, designing toys, playgrounds, and other creations. We conclude with the blue hat (metacognition, planning), to understand how to use all thinking processes to solve problems, create, evaluate work and ideas, and become superlative thinkers!
Reading Workshop and Math Workplaces
Wherever students work, they are enriching their thinking skills and problem solving abilities in all subjects. During reading workshop, students select fiction and nonfiction books, pursuing literature and topics that intrigue them. They study all genres, continuously growing in comprehension, including inferential and evaluative thinking. Deep readers can show their thinking in discussions with their partners and groups and through diagrams and projects that demonstrate analytical thinking. In math, students think together to determine the best strategies to make sure we are logical and complete in communicating our thinking. While students can approach problems in various ways, they are sure to find and summarize the facts and question; state what they need to find out (restating the question); and determine the strategy they will try first. Then they tackle the important step of showing as much work as possible -- through graphs, charts, diagrams, equations -- applying their math skills and showing they can communicate their thinking. They are becoming accomplished at using data and proving they are correct.