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Career Readiness | Middle School | Critical Thinking
Problem Solving Lesson Plans Your Middle School Students Will Love
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July 11th, 2022 | 5 min. read
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Need resources for teaching problem solving in your middle school career readiness classes?
As a career readiness curriculum developer, middle school teachers often ask if we have resources to help teach problem solving.
While our digital curriculum includes content on critical thinking, decision making, and other 21st Century skills, our solution may not be the best fit for everyone.
Our Middle School Digital Literacy & Career Exploration curriculum is designed to teach dozens of skills such as professionalism, communication, digital literacy, and more.
However, some teachers are only looking for supplemental problem solving lessons and activities to add to their existing curriculum.
To help you teach these skills, we've found four popular providers of problem solving lessons and activities for middle school:
- TeacherVision
- Ed Creative
All of these resources have both pros and cons, so looking at each one individually is key when planning your problem solving lessons!
1. TeacherVision's Problem Solving Lesson
TeacherVision is a digital resource that offers free online lesson plans, including a problem solving lesson.
This problem solving lesson has two key objectives:
- Students will be introduced to a problem-solving procedure
- Students will participate in a structured practice of resolving conflict
Along with the lesson objectives, you'll find the materials list and the procedure for completing the lesson.
That makes TeacherVision a robust resource with an easy-to-follow lesson plan for introducing students to problem solving .
On the downside, the lesson is listed as appropriate for students between first and eighth grade.
That means you may want to bulk it up a bit in order to really be relevant and engaging to your middle school students .
2. Ed Creative's Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Lesson Plans
Ed Creative is a subdivision of Education.com that collects lesson plans from other online resources.
That makes Ed Creative one of the best lesson plan databases online.
It includes a variety of lesson plans and activities to teach creativity, problem solving, and critical thinking skills.
Many of these lessons are intended for children up to eighth grade. That means you'll likely find resources that fit perfectly in your middle school classes.
In addition, some lessons overlap with other subjects you may need to teach in your career readiness classes . For example, one resource is entitled Thinking Critically About Advertising and would tie in well with lessons on media literacy .
The lesson encourages students to consider behind-the-scenes angles when presented with ads, encouraging them to think critically and logically about why the ad is what it is.
Still, these resources are a little disorganized which means it will take you time to review each option and decide if it's a good fit.
3. BrainPOP's Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Activities
BrainPOP is an educational resource provider with many teaching resources for every grade level.
In this case, their critical thinking and problem solving lesson plan is intended for any sixth to 12th grade student.
In this lesson, students will:
- Apply critical thinking, problem solving, and decision-making skills to online gameplay and writing tasks
- Analyze situations from multiple perspectives and viewpoints
- Distinguish between facts, opinions, and solutions
- Demonstrate 21st Century skills such as global awareness, information literacy, communication, and collaboration
BrainPOP lays out the procedure, materials, and everything else you’ll need for the lesson — even time approximations!
That thorough approach to detail makes it easier to plan different tasks you’ll carry out throughout the lesson each day.
Even if the lesson takes a full week, you can still plan appropriately and stay on task.
Unfortunately, BrainPOP doesn’t have many downloadable resources you can print and use in the classroom.
4. TEDEd's Resources for Teaching Problem Solving Skills
TEDEd is an active advocate of education and learning materials. That’s why they have an enormous section of their website dedicated to problem solving skills .
In this section, you’ll find videos and interactive tasks that walk students through riddles, problems, and complications to find desirable results.
Every riddle and problem has an answer, so you don’t have to worry about figuring it out yourself. Even better, you can be sure there’s a practical solution to every issue.
Best of all, you leave students with the freedom to innovate their own solutions, potentially creating a new solution that a riddle maker hadn’t considered.
The varying complexity and length of these lessons make them ideal for various grade levels. However, you can choose to filter specifically for middle school.
On the downside, these aren’t literal “lesson plans.” TEDEd provides many resources, but they’re not contextualized for a classroom.
Instead, you’ll have to build your lessons around these resources to get the best results.
This makes TEDEd an excellent catchall whenever you need problem solving materials.
You’ll just have to do a little extra work to make it classroom ready.
Which Problem Solving Lessons Are Best?
Overall, there isn't a simple "best" option for teaching problem solving in middle school. It all depends on the needs of you, your course, and your students.
Each resource we've shared could be a great addition to your career readiness curriculum.
However, if you need a curriculum that includes problem solving skills among other career readiness topics, consider looking into iCEV’s career readiness and digital literacy curriculum.
Thousands of teachers like you use the curriculum to teach career exploration , personal financial literacy , communication skills and more.
Overall, it helps you save time with planning, assessing, and grading student work all while maximizing student understanding and information retention.
Wondering if iCEV could work for your middle school classroom? Check out our Middle School digital Literacy & Career Exploration curriculum :
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20 Problem-Solving Activities for Middle School Students
- Middle School Education
Introduction:
As students progress through middle school, it becomes increasingly important to develop their problem-solving skills. By engaging in problem-solving activities, students can enhance their critical thinking abilities, foster creativity, and become better prepared for the challenges they may face both in and out of the classroom. Here are 20 problem-solving activities that are perfect for middle school students.
1. Brainstorming Sessions: Encourage students to share their ideas on a particular topic or issue, fostering a collaborative environment that promotes creative problem solving.
2. Riddles: Challenge students with riddles that require critical thinking and lateral thinking skills to determine the answers.
3. Sudoku: Introduce sudoku puzzles as a fun and challenging math-based activity.
4. Chess Club: Encourage students to participate in chess clubs or tournaments to practice strategic thinking.
5. Escape Rooms: Plan an age-appropriate escape room activity to develop teamwork and problem-solving skills among the students.
6. Role-Playing Exercises: Use role-playing scenarios to allow students to think critically about real-life situations and practice problem-solving strategies.
7. Science Experiments: Design science experiments that require students to troubleshoot problems and test possible solutions.
8. Word Problems: Incorporate word problems in math lessons, encouraging students to use logic and math skills to solve them.
9. Puzzle Stations: Set up different puzzle stations around the classroom where students can work on spatial reasoning, logic puzzles, and other brain teasers during free time.
10. Debates: Organize debates on controversial topics, allowing students to present and argue their views while developing their critical thinking and persuasion skills.
11. Engineering Challenges: Provide engineering-based challenges such as bridge building or packaging design activities that require teamwork and creative problem solving.
12. Storytelling Workshops: Host a storytelling workshop where students collaborate to create stories from a given prompt and gradually face more complex narrative challenges.
13. Coding Clubs: Support students in learning coding basics and encourage them to develop problem-solving skills through coding projects.
14. Treasure Hunts: Create treasure hunts with clues that require problem solving, reasoning, and collaboration among the students.
15. Cooperative Games: Facilitate games that promote cooperation and communication, such as “human knot” or “cross the lava.”
16. Geocaching: Introduce geocaching as a fun activity where students use GPS devices to locate hidden objects and work as a team to solve puzzle-like tasks.
17. Exploratory Research Projects: Assign open-ended research projects that require students to investigate topics of interest and solve problems or answer questions through their research efforts.
18. Mock Trials: Set up mock trials in which students participate as lawyers, witnesses, or jury members, allowing them to analyze cases and think through legal problem-solving strategies.
19. Creative Writing Prompts: Share creative writing prompts requiring students to think critically about characters’ actions and decisions within fictional scenarios.
20. Invention Convention: Host an invention convention where students present their unique solutions to everyday problems, fostering creativity and innovative thinking.
Conclusion:
Problem-solving activities are essential for middle school students as they help in cultivating valuable life skills necessary to tackle real-world challenges. These 20 activities provide diverse and engaging opportunities for students to develop key problem-solving skills while fostering creativity, communication, critical thinking, and collaboration. Teachers and educators can easily adapt these activities to suit the individual needs of their middle school classrooms.
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20 STEM Projects That Are Great for Middle School
Krystal DeVille
February 15, 2024
Middle schoolers experience a great time of exploration and learning during these formative years. Explore these middle school STEM projects, designed to enhance STEM education by engaging students in hands-on learning. Pick which ones you want to try first.
Simply click the title of each lesson in the list to get the full lesson plan for these great STEM challenges that align with lessons for middle school science, technology, engineering, and math objectives. Alongside these projects, we also offer a variety of easy STEM challenges that can serve as introductory activities for beginners.
I’ve gone through all the educational subscription boxes for teenagers and put together the best ones in this resource, teenagers’ top STEM subscription boxes.
Table of Contents
STEM Activities for Middle School Students
1. i breathe what.
Students enhance their problem-solving skills and understanding of the scientific method by exploring air quality through pollen, dust, and particulates using their homemade ‘pollution detectors.’ They will hypothesize what causes the differences and explain why engineers look at the particulate matter when they observe air quality.
2. Design a Bridge
This is a fun way of using simple machines and various materials, students design bridges that can hold 100 pennies for 30 seconds without collapsing, teaching them fundamental principles of physics. Review engineering concepts such as load and force with your classes before they get started. Consider using craft sticks as one of the materials, which are great for learning about weight distribution and structural integrity.
3. Spaghetti Soapbox Derby
In this science experiment, pairs of students design, build, and test model vehicles made from dry pasta and hot glue, with the goal of rolling along a ramp and coasting as far as possible. This STEM activity focuses on using somewhat challenging materials in the best ways possible.
For an added challenge, students can use rubber bands to enhance the propulsion of their pasta vehicles.
4. Trail Planning Using Topographic Quadrangle Maps
This earth science activity first calls for familiarity with US Geological Survey quadrangle maps. Working within set guideline requirements, students then use these maps to design a good route for a new recreational trail.
5. Bikini Bottom Genetics
Students apply an understanding of genetics in an analysis of sea creature genotypes that live in SpongeBob SquarePants’ neighborhood. They predict traits of offspring with the use of Punnett squares.
6. Design a Wristwatch for the Visually Impaired
Help your students review the engineering design process. They will then research, model, test and evaluate wristwatches for individuals with visual impairments as an exercise in applying engineering skills in the areas of bioengineering and biomedical engineering.
Take a look at our review of Groovy Lab in a Box . It’s hard to convey, but after reviewing about a dozen educational STEM subscription services, Groovy Lab Box has the most well-thought-out lesson plans!
7. Use Your Shoe!
Teachers collect shoe size data from the class. As a group, they use the data to determine the mean, median, and mode. Students then use that information to make inferences about average shoe size and broader populations. This activity provides a review of how to calculate mean, median, and mode, along with methods to make inferences based on the sample.
While this article focuses on middle schoolers, we also recommend fun and educational STEM projects suitable for elementary students .
8. Mission to Mars
Following a storyline, task your students with completing various STEM challenges, including understanding chemical reactions through a Coke and Mentos experiment as part of a Mars emergency. Teamwork, engineering design, and the use of science topics in real life are all addressed.
9. Snack Time!
Using nutritional information labels from various packaged foods, students will organize and describe that info to show the data in a box-and-whisker plot, bar graph, and pie chart. This activity touches on both math and science standards.
10. No Valve in Vain
Teams of students employ the engineering design process to use tape and plastic tubing to create heart valve models. For this activity, the class reviews the engineering design process and the workings of a one-way valve.
For older kids, particularly high school students looking for more advanced challenges, please check out our article, The Best Science Sets for Teens .
11. Marble Speed Traps with Lego Mindstorms
Students review the formula for velocity . Using drag and drop programming, they code the speed traps to measure the distance between the sensors and time it takes the marble to travel between them. They design the course, write the code, convert units, evaluate, and make changes as needed.
12. The Million Dollar Project
Students imagine inheriting and spending 1 million dollars with specific guidelines of how they may use that money. They research on the internet, record all purchases, learn to write checks, and track all their spending, which reinforces various mathematical concepts.
13. Explore the Law of Inertia using a Fidget Spinner
Review the equations for torque and inertia with students. By removing lights (weight) from spinners, they can explore how the amount of time the device will continue spinning is affected by the mass.
14. Backyard Weather Stations
Working in groups, students describe the current weather and predict future conditions by observing cloud formations. They design backyard weather stations that could gather data for actual forecasting. Technologies for forecasting would be explored, along with weather basics.
15. Leaning Tower of Pasta
Review compression and tension in structure stability with your class. Students use math and engineering concepts to design and build structures with long, dry spaghetti and marshmallows, to find which ones can withstand the largest amount of load.
16. Cleaning the Great Lakes
What better way to understand environmental science than by having students use limited materials to discover how to filter pollutants from dirty water? Teachers may use this challenge activity along with earth science units about water pollution or those concerning local lakes.
17. Soil Biosolarization: Sustainable Weed Killer
Serving as agricultural engineers, students explore the effectiveness of this sustainable weed control technique that uses organic waste instead of poisons. By using seed starter pots, they plant “weeds” and test the use of organic matter, like oatmeal, to see if it kills the weeds, assessing the impact of products and systems.
18. Renewable Energy: Power Your School
In pairs, students use real data to assess the possible use of solar or wind power generation at their school. Using science, math, and engineering concepts, they explore the differences between these two methods, use maps for an analysis of potential, and look at factors related to the feasibility of renewable energy at their location.
19. Generate Your Own Ocean Currents!
Encourage critical thinking and understanding of real-world applications as students design and construct ocean models to study wind-driven currents. Through this challenge project, they will explore circulation patterns, the Coriolis effect, and the transfer of heat from the global ocean convection cycle.
20. Scaling Up Candy Wrappers
Students bring in their favorite candy bar wrappers, choose a scale factor (larger than 5), and enlarge their wrappers to that scale in a drawing on grid paper. Scaling up candy wrappers is not just educational, but also a lot of fun, teaching kids about the math concept of scale factor. They can then color and display their finished projects!
21. Rube Goldberg Machines
What is a rube goldberg machine.
A Rube Goldberg machine is a deliberately complex contraption in which a series of devices perform simple tasks linked together to produce a domino effect, ultimately accomplishing a simple goal in a highly complex manner. Named after the American cartoonist Rube Goldberg, these machines are fantastic tools for teaching students about physics, engineering, and critical thinking.
Why Include Rube Goldberg Machines in Middle School STEM?
- Encourages Creative Thinking : Building these machines requires students to think outside the box and use their imagination to solve problems.
- Teaches Basic Physics Principles : Concepts like energy transfer, motion, and simple machines come to life in a Rube Goldberg project.
- Enhances Teamwork and Collaboration : Students often work in teams, learning to communicate and collaborate to design and build their machines.
- Develops Problem-Solving Skills : Students learn to troubleshoot and iterate, key skills in any STEM field.
Implementing Rube Goldberg Machine Projects
- Introduce the Concept : Start with a brief history of Rube Goldberg and show examples of Rube Goldberg machines, either through videos or illustrations.
- Define the Project Scope : Set clear goals and parameters. For example, each machine must have a minimum number of steps or complete a specific task.
- Materials : Encourage creativity by allowing a wide range of materials, from household items to recycled materials.
- Documentation : Have students document their design process, challenges, and solutions. This can be in the form of a journal, video, or presentation.
- Presentation and Reflection : Allow students to present their machines to the class. Encourage them to discuss what they learned and how they overcame obstacles.
22. Egg Drop Challenge
What is the Egg Drop Challenge? An engaging physics experiment for middle schoolers, the Egg Drop Challenge involves designing a device to protect a raw egg from breaking when dropped from a height. It’s an excellent way for students to apply concepts of gravity, impact force, and material properties.
Why It’s Beneficial:
- Encourages creative problem-solving.
- Demonstrates physics principles like momentum and shock absorption.
- Promotes teamwork and collaborative skills.
Implementing the Challenge:
- Materials: Offer materials like straws, balloons, and craft sticks.
- Design and Build: Students design and construct their egg-protecting devices.
- The Drop: Test the devices by dropping eggs from a set height.
- Analysis: Discuss the outcomes, focusing on physics concepts and design strategies.
Curriculum Alignment: This challenge complements the middle school physics curriculum, applying theoretical concepts practically.
23. The Index Card Tower Challenge
What is the Index Card Tower Challenge? The Index Card Tower Challenge is a straightforward yet engaging activity that introduces students to basic principles of physical science and engineering. Using only index cards, students are challenged to build the tallest possible tower. This activity is the best way to demonstrate concepts like balance, gravity, and kinetic energy, making it perfect for kids of all ages, including younger kids.
Why It’s Essential in STEM Curriculum:
- Introduces Physical Science Concepts: Focuses on basic principles like stability and kinetic energy.
- Encourages Creative Problem-Solving: Challenges students to think innovatively using simple materials.
- Accessible to All Ages: Easily adaptable for different age groups, making it suitable for both younger kids and older students.
- Prepares for Future Careers: Develops foundational skills useful in various STEM fields.
- Materials: Provide students with a stack of index cards.
- Build the Tower: Students experiment with different construction techniques to build their towers.
- Discussion on Physical Science: After the activity, discuss how forces like gravity and kinetic energy influenced their designs.
- Real-World Connection: Relate the activity to real-world structures and engineering challenges.
How It Fits Into STEM Courses: The Index Card Tower Challenge is a versatile activity that can be integrated into various STEM courses. It encourages students to apply scientific principles and think critically about engineering challenges, making it a valuable addition to any STEM curriculum.
How To Make The Most Of These Fun STEM Activities for Middle School Students
Whether in STEM labs, at home, or in the classroom, engaging students with discussion questions throughout these hands-on activities is vital.
To connect with students’ interests, some of these STEM activities offer different ways, including the design or analysis of simple video games, blending technology with creativity.
We rounded up these projects specifically because they align with learning objectives and lessons for 6th to 8th-grade students. Ask how this applies to what they’re currently learning in class? What did the project demonstrate?
Let us know in the comments what your favorite Middle School STEM projects! We’d love to hear them.
2 thoughts on “20 STEM Projects That Are Great for Middle School”
I taught bridge building to sixth grade students. The only thing I taught them was information and diagrams about trusses. They had to take notes for their own use during construction. Gave them the materials, formed groups and gave them them help without interfering with their own ideas. The amount of enthusiasm I have seldom seen in middle school. They were so excited they told their other teachers about the project. The bridges were beautiful and so strong. It was great to see the application of the trusses! I am all for STEM activities!
These are some great activities thanks for sharing and I’ll use them at my school.
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Free Resources for Any Middle School Math Concept
MATHCOUNTS provides many free problem sets, videos, lesson plans and activities that can complement in-person and online learning. We've categorized some of the best resources for several middle school math topics:
- Arithmetic Skills
- Introduction to Counting
- Basic Number Sense
- Exploring Equations
- Properties of Right Triangles
- Multiple Approaches to Problems
- Using Similar Figures
- Area and Perimeter
- Sequences, Series and Patterns (Part 1)
- Sequences, Series and Patterns (Part 2)
- Probability
Use these resources to help you plan your next online learning session!
Faster Arithmetic Models
Practice plan.
Using the commutative, associative and distributive properties, Mathletes will arrange arithmetic problems in a different order that allows them to be solved more readily.
Order of Operations and Defining New Rules
After refreshing Mathletes on the order of operations, the video will then focus on how to solve problems where an unfamiliar symbol is defined to be a new type of operations that follows given rules.
The Multiplication Game
National math club game.
In The Multiplication Game players take turns chosing factors to obtain a product on the game board. The first player to four squares in a row wins. The game can be used to practice multiplication tables and factor pairs as well as to discuss prime and composite numbers.
In a heads up style game, students use inverse operations to guess the card on their forehead. They may or may not realize they are doing algebra! Register for the free National Math Club to access this game and dozens of others!
A-maze-ing Fractions
National math club exploration.
Operations with fractions are often hard for students to conceptualize. With this exploration's dry erase maze boards and four basic arithmetic operations, Mathletes can begin to uncover the secrets of fractions by finding a path that results in the least value or the greatest value. Register for the free National Math Club to access this activity and dozens of others!
Counting Bee
Help students improve their basic arithmetic skills by competing in a club counting bee. Given a starting number and counting number, see how far students can count in 15 seconds! Register for the free National Math Club to access this game and dozens of others!
Counting Shapes in a Complex Figure
This plan will help Mathletes to develop a strategic approach to counting the occurrences of a certain shape in a more complex figure made of multiple intersecting lines.
Counting Paths Along a Grid
Explore combinatorics by looking at a common type of MATHCOUNTS counting problem – counting paths between two points. End with an extension that connects counting paths to another type of combinatoric problem.
The Fundamental Counting Principle
This plan will introduce students to The Fundamental Counting Principle – a faster method to determining the total number of possible outcomes of an event without listing them all out!
Counting Possibilities
Mathcounts mini.
This video focuses on using diagrams and organized lists to ensure that each possible outcome is counted once, and only once.
Constructive Counting
Moving beyond the fundamental counting principle, students will be introduced to the difference between combinations and permutations, and presented with multiple methods for solving these types of problems.
Counting & Combinatorics Stretch
Problem set.
Two sets of ten practice problems from the 2002-2003 and 2015-2016 MATHCOUNTS School Handbook that cover basic counting including some number sense, shapes and paths.
Divisibility Rules
Students will apply divisibility rules of various integers to simplify computation, better understand number composition and aid in problem solving. In the extension, Mathletes can prove why each of these rules work!
Least Common Multiple
Calculating the least common multiple is something many students are asked to do, but in this plan they will use their understanding of the least common multiple to stretch themselves to solve more complex problems.
Marble Challenge
In the Marble Challenge students will take turns removing marbles with the goal of not taking the last marble. This game encourages students to notice patterns in the numbers and can even be used to introduce modular arithmetic. Register for the free National Math Club to access this game and dozens of others!
Using increasingly popular KenKen® puzzles, Mathletes will use teamwork, number sense and logic skills to solve challenges. Register for the free National Math Club to access this activity and dozens of others!
Strategic Guessing Using Divisibility Rules
Often in MATHCOUNTS you find yourself with a unique problem you don't already have a prescribed method for solving. This mini gives examples of such problems that can be solved with a little logic, number sense and understanding of divisibility rules.
Number Sense Stretches
Problem sets.
In these number sense stretches, there are three problem sets (10 problems each) from old MATHCOUNTS School Handbooks that covers number sense topics such as factoring and divisibility. These are great additional practice in after trying the Practice Plans and MATHCOUNTS Minis.
You Don't Have to Solve for x!
Often the immediate reaction when Mathletes see an algebraic equation is to solve for the unknown but depending on what you are looking for it might be easier to manipulate the equation without solving it.
Mathemagicians
This exploration is a great way to practice translating word problems into algebraic equations and to develop understanding of the concept of inverse operations. Mathletes will be amazed at first by what appears to be magic, but they will come to understand that the tricks can be explained using algebra. Mathletes can come up with their own magic examples to impress their friends and families and become true mathemagicians! Register for the free National Math Club to access this activity and dozens of others!
Function Battleship
This exploration lets Mathletes manipulate functions in order to explore and better understand translating, stretching, compressing and other transformations of functions. Through the Desmos platform, with the added twist of similarity to the board game Battleship, Mathletes can graph functions and see the effects of changing coefficients and exponents and adding and subtracting integers. Register for the free National Math Club to access this activity and dozens of others!
In a heads up style game, students use inverse operations to guess the card on their forehead. They may or may not realize they are doing algebra! Register for the free National Math Club to access this game and dozens of others!
Algebraic Equations from Word Problems
These problems and video focus on translanting the information in word problems into representative algebraic equations.
Seeing Symmetry in Systems of Equations
When dealing with systems of equations, if you are able to recognize symmetry between the equations, you can simplify the steps to a solution. This Mini will look at some problems and demonstrate how to find and use the symmetry to your advantage.
Special Right Triangles
Mathletes will become familiar with properties of 45-45-90 and 30-60-90 triangles. In this plan, the relationships between the sides of these two special right triangles will be derived. Then, Mathletes will apply these to solve for unknown lengths in geometric figures.
Right Triangles
From special right triangles to Pythagorean Triples, this video shows how to use properties of right triangles to solve problems.
This exploration gives Mathletes a brief introduction of the Pythagorean Theorem, then guides them through what we call Proofigami. This fun exploration will feel a lot like origami, but will provide Mathletes with a better understanding of the Pythagorean Theorem and gives club leaders a visual and tactile tool that makes explaining this proof easier. Register for the free National Math Club to access this activity and dozens of others!
30-60-90 Right Triangles
This MATHCOUNTS Mini will look at ways to use known ratios of 30-60-90 triangles to help solve more complex geometric problems.
Right Triangles Stretch
Practice solving problems by using the Pythagorean Theorem, recognizing Pythagorean triples and applying properties of special right triangles.
Trapezoids and Triangles
This video explores how we can decompose a figure into trapezoids and triangles to determine its area. The problems associated with this mini will help students determine when and how to apply their right triangle knowledge to solve more complex geometry problems.
More Than One Way to Solve a Problem
This video demonstrates multiple problem-solving strategies and emphasizes the importance of solving problems in more than one way to verify that you've solved a problem correctly.
Even More Than One Way to Solve a Problem
This video reinforces the concept of solving a problem multiple ways to validate your answer.
Fun Problem-Solving Techniques
National math club problem set.
Being able to take multiple different approaches to solve problems is an invaluable skill. In this problem set, students will look at four techniques - creating a model, acting out a situation, drawing a picture and making a list.
Three Tic-Tac-Toes
Chances are students are familiar with tic-tac-toe, but these rule variants on the traditional version will challenge students to rethink their strategy. Use this game to talk about symmetry, logic and proof writing.
Draw a Picture
This video explores how to solve problems by drawing a picture to organize the given information.
Make a Sketch
This video demonstrates how making a sketch of a given scenario can be a useful strategy when solving problems.
Recognizing Squares and Solving a Simpler Problem
This video focuses on recognizing squares and using them to solve a simpler problem.
Using the Difference of Squares to Solve Problems
This video explores how to use the difference of squares to solve problems and why this method works.
Systems of Equations Stretch
Apply the difference of squares formula in order to solve problems involving systems of equations.
Difference of Squares
An important formula to know, the difference of squares identity is derived geometrically in the video for this problem set. Mathletes will then try to recognize the difference of squares structure in various expressions and use the identity to find the value.
Perfect Squares/Using a Simpler Case to Solve a Problem
This video demonstrates how to use perfect squares to find a simpler case to help solve a problem.
This video demonstrates how to solve problems using the difference of squares.
Similar Triangles and Proportional Reasoning
This video shows how to identify and use similar triangles to solve geometry problems
Using Similarity to Solve Geometry Problems
This video explores how to apply properties of similar triangles in solving problems about two-dimensional and three-dimensional figures.
Similarity and Proportional Reasoning Stretches
Practice with the concept of similarity by answering questions about similar figures, and see how similarity relates to proportional reasoning and geometric transformations.
This video demonstrates how to use similarity and proportional reasoning to solve difficult geometry problems.
Similarity and Proportional Reasoning
Sometimes it is necessary to create the similar triangles you'll need in order to solve a problem. This video shows how to look at and build on given diagrams to create similar figures.
Similar Triangles
This video explores how to use parallel lines and angles to identify similar triangles and solve problems.
Fence Me In
After rolling dice to determine the size, in part, of a rectangle, players then use perimeter and area formulas to determine dimensions. The goal is to try to fill up the board first.
Areas of Irregular Convex Polygons
This video demonstrates two strategies for how to find the area of an irregular convex polygon.
Geometry Stretches
Find the areas and perimeters of various figures, and see how area and perimeter measurements can be used to solve other types of geometry problems.
Area of Irregular Polygons Reboot
This video demonstrates how to find the area of an irregular polygon by dividing the figure into smaller regions for which the area is more easily determined.
This video explores how we can decompose a figure into trapezoids and triangles to determine its area.
Problem of the Week
Practice calculating area and perimeter measurements using the image of a shamrock.
Number Sense: Looking for Patterns
This video focuses on techniques for solving problems by looking for patterns that emerge among the digits in large numbers.
Patterns All Around
Recognizing patterns in objects in order to express them mathematically is an important skill for students to learn. In this game students will attempt to recognize visual and numeric patterns in a group of cards.
Sequences, Series and Patterns
This video shows how to find patterns in both visual and numerical sequences and how to use patterns to identify an unknown value in a sequence.
More Sequences, Series and Patterns
This video demonstrates how to find a pattern in a sequence or series, and prove that it works, to solve problems.
Representing Patterns Numerically
In this practice plan, Mathletes will recognize visual patterns and practice defining them numerically in order to find the number of elements in the pattern after a large number of repetitions.
Patterns Stretches
Practice with patterns through problems about visual and numerical sequences and series, the digits of large numbers and other real-world and math topics.
Arithmetic and Geometric Sequences
This video explores how to solve problems about arithmetic and geometric sequences.
Relationships Between Arithmetic Sequences, Mean and Median
This video demonstrates how to use mean and median in solving problems about arithmetic sequences.
Arithmetic Sequences
This video focuses on techniques for solving problems involving arithmetic sequences, including finding the nth term.
Sequences Stretches
Practice with standard arithmetic and geometric sequences and series, as well as with other special types of sequences and series, like the Fibonacci sequence.
Patterns, Sequences and Series
This video shows a few techniques for solving problems using patterns in sequences and series.
Sequences and Central Tendency
This video demonstrates how the relationship between measures of central tendency and sequences can be used to solve problems.
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Trauma-informed practices in schools, teacher well-being, cultivating diversity, equity, & inclusion, integrating technology in the classroom, social-emotional development, covid-19 resources, invest in resilience: summer toolkit, civics & resilience, all toolkits, degree programs, trauma-informed professional development, teacher licensure & certification, how to become - career information, classroom management, instructional design, lifestyle & self-care, online higher ed teaching, current events, 5 problem-solving activities for the classroom.
Problem-solving skills are necessary in all areas of life, and classroom problem solving activities can be a great way to get students prepped and ready to solve real problems in real life scenarios. Whether in school, work or in their social relationships, the ability to critically analyze a problem, map out all its elements and then prepare a workable solution is one of the most valuable skills one can acquire in life.
Educating your students about problem solving skills from an early age in school can be facilitated through classroom problem solving activities. Such endeavors encourage cognitive as well as social development, and can equip students with the tools they’ll need to address and solve problems throughout the rest of their lives. Here are five classroom problem solving activities your students are sure to benefit from as well as enjoy doing:
1. Brainstorm bonanza
Having your students create lists related to whatever you are currently studying can be a great way to help them to enrich their understanding of a topic while learning to problem-solve. For example, if you are studying a historical, current or fictional event that did not turn out favorably, have your students brainstorm ways that the protagonist or participants could have created a different, more positive outcome. They can brainstorm on paper individually or on a chalkboard or white board in front of the class.
2. Problem-solving as a group
Have your students create and decorate a medium-sized box with a slot in the top. Label the box “The Problem-Solving Box.” Invite students to anonymously write down and submit any problem or issue they might be having at school or at home, ones that they can’t seem to figure out on their own. Once or twice a week, have a student draw one of the items from the box and read it aloud. Then have the class as a group figure out the ideal way the student can address the issue and hopefully solve it.
3. Clue me in
This fun detective game encourages problem-solving, critical thinking and cognitive development. Collect a number of items that are associated with a specific profession, social trend, place, public figure, historical event, animal, etc. Assemble actual items (or pictures of items) that are commonly associated with the target answer. Place them all in a bag (five-10 clues should be sufficient.) Then have a student reach into the bag and one by one pull out clues. Choose a minimum number of clues they must draw out before making their first guess (two- three). After this, the student must venture a guess after each clue pulled until they guess correctly. See how quickly the student is able to solve the riddle.
4. Survivor scenarios
Create a pretend scenario for students that requires them to think creatively to make it through. An example might be getting stranded on an island, knowing that help will not arrive for three days. The group has a limited amount of food and water and must create shelter from items around the island. Encourage working together as a group and hearing out every child that has an idea about how to make it through the three days as safely and comfortably as possible.
5. Moral dilemma
Create a number of possible moral dilemmas your students might encounter in life, write them down, and place each item folded up in a bowl or bag. Some of the items might include things like, “I saw a good friend of mine shoplifting. What should I do?” or “The cashier gave me an extra $1.50 in change after I bought candy at the store. What should I do?” Have each student draw an item from the bag one by one, read it aloud, then tell the class their answer on the spot as to how they would handle the situation.
Classroom problem solving activities need not be dull and routine. Ideally, the problem solving activities you give your students will engage their senses and be genuinely fun to do. The activities and lessons learned will leave an impression on each child, increasing the likelihood that they will take the lesson forward into their everyday lives.
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Maneuvering the Middle
Student-Centered Math Lessons
Math Problem Solving Strategies
How many times have you been teaching a concept that students are feeling confident in, only for them to completely shut down when faced with a word problem? For me, the answer is too many to count. Word problems require problem solving strategies. And more than anything, word problems require decoding, eliminating extra information, and opportunities for students to solve for something that the question is not asking for . There are so many places for students to make errors! Let’s talk about some problem solving strategies that can help guide and encourage students!
1. C.U.B.E.S.
C.U.B.E.S stands for circle the important numbers, underline the question, box the words that are keywords, eliminate extra information, and solve by showing work.
- Why I like it: Gives students a very specific ‘what to do.’
- Why I don’t like it: With all of the annotating of the problem, I’m not sure that students are actually reading the problem. None of the steps emphasize reading the problem but maybe that is a given.
2. R.U.N.S.
R.U.N.S. stands for read the problem, underline the question, name the problem type, and write a strategy sentence.
- Why I like it: Students are forced to think about what type of problem it is (factoring, division, etc) and then come up with a plan to solve it using a strategy sentence. This is a great strategy to teach when you are tackling various types of problems.
- Why I don’t like it: Though I love the opportunity for students to write in math, writing a strategy statement for every problem can eat up a lot of time.
3. U.P.S. CHECK
U.P.S. Check stands for understand, plan, solve, and check.
- Why I like it: I love that there is a check step in this problem solving strategy. Students having to defend the reasonableness of their answer is essential for students’ number sense.
- Why I don’t like it: It can be a little vague and doesn’t give concrete ‘what to dos.’ Checking that students completed the ‘understand’ step can be hard to see.
4. Maneuvering the Middle Strategy AKA K.N.O.W.S.
Here is the strategy that I adopted a few years ago. It doesn’t have a name yet nor an acronym, (so can it even be considered a strategy…?)
UPDATE: IT DOES HAVE A NAME! Thanks to our lovely readers, Wendi and Natalie!
- Know: This will help students find the important information.
- Need to Know: This will force students to reread the question and write down what they are trying to solve for.
- Organize: I think this would be a great place for teachers to emphasize drawing a model or picture.
- Work: Students show their calculations here.
- Solution: This is where students will ask themselves if the answer is reasonable and whether it answered the question.
Ideas for Promoting Showing Your Work
- White boards are a helpful resource that make (extra) writing engaging!
- Celebrating when students show their work. Create a bulletin board that says ***I showed my work*** with student exemplars.
- Take a picture that shows your expectation for how work should look and post it on the board like Marissa did here.
Show Work Digitally
Many teachers are facing how to have students show their work or their problem solving strategy when tasked with submitting work online. Platforms like Kami make this possible. Go Formative has a feature where students can use their mouse to “draw” their work.
If you want to spend your energy teaching student problem solving instead of writing and finding math problems, look no further than our All Access membership . Click the button to learn more.
Students who plan succeed at a higher rate than students who do not plan. Do you have a go to problem solving strategy that you teach your students?
Editor’s Note: Maneuvering the Middle has been publishing blog posts for nearly 8 years! This post was originally published in September of 2017. It has been revamped for relevancy and accuracy.
Problem Solving Posters (Represent It! Bulletin Board)
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Reader Interactions
18 comments.
October 4, 2017 at 7:55 pm
As a reading specialist, I love your strategy. It’s flexible, “portable” for any problem, and DOES get kids to read and understand the problem by 1) summarizing what they know and 2) asking a question for what they don’t yet know — two key comprehension strategies! How about: “Make a Plan for the Problem”? That’s the core of your rationale for using it, and I bet you’re already saying this all the time in class. Kids will get it even more because it’s a statement, not an acronym to remember. This is coming to my reading class tomorrow with word problems — thank you!
October 4, 2017 at 8:59 pm
Hi Nora! I have never thought about this as a reading strategy, genius! Please let me know how it goes. I would love to hear more!
December 15, 2017 at 7:57 am
Hi! I am a middle school teacher in New York state and my district is “gung ho” on CUBES. I completely agree with you that kids are not really reading the problem when using CUBES and only circling and boxing stuff then “doing something” with it without regard for whether or not they are doing the right thing (just a shot in the dark!). I have adopted what I call a “no fear word problems” procedure because several of my students told me they are scared of word problems and I thought, “let’s take the scary out of it then by figuring out how to dissect it and attack it! Our class strategy is nearly identical to your strategy:
1. Pre-Read the problem (do so at your normal reading speed just so you basically know what it says) 2. Active Read: Make a short list of: DK (what I Definitely Know), TK (what I Think I Know and should do), and WK (what I Want to Know– what is the question?) 3. Draw and Solve 4. State the answer in a complete sentence.
This procedure keep kids for “surfacely” reading and just trying something that doesn’t make sense with the context and implications of the word problem. I adapted some of it from Harvey Silver strategies (from Strategic Teacher) and incorporated the “Read-Draw-Write” component of the Eureka Math program. One thing that Harvey Silver says is, “Unlike other problems in math, word problems combine quantitative problem solving with inferential reading, and this combination can bring out the impulsive side in students.” (The Strategic Teacher, page 90, Silver, et al.; 2007). I found that CUBES perpetuates the impulsive side of middle school students, especially when the math seems particularly difficult. Math word problems are packed full of words and every word means something to about the intent and the mathematics in the problem, especially in middle school and high school. Reading has to be done both at the literal and inferential levels to actually correctly determine what needs to be done and execute the proper mathematics. So far this method is going really well with my students and they are experiencing higher levels of confidence and greater success in solving.
October 5, 2017 at 6:27 am
Hi! Another teacher and I came up with a strategy we call RUBY a few years ago. We modeled this very closely after close reading strategies that are language arts department was using, but tailored it to math. R-Read the problem (I tell kids to do this without a pencil in hand otherwise they are tempted to start underlining and circling before they read) U-Underline key words and circle important numbers B-Box the questions (I always have student’s box their answer so we figured this was a way for them to relate the question and answer) Y-You ask yourself: Did you answer the question? Does your answer make sense (mathematically)
I have anchor charts that we have made for classrooms and interactive notebooks if you would like them let me me know….
October 5, 2017 at 9:46 am
Great idea! Thanks so much for sharing with our readers!
October 8, 2017 at 6:51 pm
LOVE this idea! Will definitely use it this year! Thank you!
December 18, 2019 at 7:48 am
I would love an anchor chart for RUBY
October 15, 2017 at 11:05 am
I will definitely use this concept in my Pre-Algebra classes this year; I especially like the graphic organizer to help students organize their thought process in solving the problems too.
April 20, 2018 at 7:36 am
I love the process you’ve come up with, and think it definitely balances the benefits of simplicity and thoroughness. At the risk of sounding nitpicky, I want to point out that the examples you provide are all ‘processes’ rather than strategies. For the most part, they are all based on the Polya’s, the Hungarian mathematician, 4-step approach to problem solving (Understand/Plan/Solve/Reflect). It’s a process because it defines the steps we take to approach any word problem without getting into the specific mathematical ‘strategy’ we will use to solve it. Step 2 of the process is where they choose the best strategy (guess and check, draw a picture, make a table, etc) for the given problem. We should start by teaching the strategies one at a time by choosing problems that fit that strategy. Eventually, once they have added multiple strategies to their toolkit, we can present them with problems and let them choose the right strategy.
June 22, 2018 at 12:19 pm
That’s brilliant! Thank you for sharing!
May 31, 2018 at 12:15 pm
Mrs. Brack is setting up her second Christmas tree. Her tree consists of 30% red and 70% gold ornaments. If there are 40 red ornaments, then how many ornaments are on the tree? What is the answer to this question?
June 22, 2018 at 10:46 am
Whoops! I guess the answer would not result in a whole number (133.333…) Thanks for catching that error.
July 28, 2018 at 6:53 pm
I used to teach elementary math and now I run my own learning center, and we teach a lot of middle school math. The strategy you outlined sounds a little like the strategy I use, called KFCS (like the fast-food restaurant). K stands for “What do I know,” F stands for “What do I need to Find,” C stands for “Come up with a plan” [which includes 2 parts: the operation (+, -, x, and /) and the problem-solving strategy], and lastly, the S stands for “solve the problem” (which includes all the work that is involved in solving the problem and the answer statement). I find the same struggles with being consistent with modeling clearly all of the parts of the strategy as well, but I’ve found that the more the student practices the strategy, the more intrinsic it becomes for them; of course, it takes a lot more for those students who struggle with understanding word problems. I did create a worksheet to make it easier for the students to follow the steps as well. If you’d like a copy, please let me know, and I will be glad to send it.
February 3, 2019 at 3:56 pm
This is a supportive and encouraging site. Several of the comments and post are spot on! Especially, the “What I like/don’t like” comparisons.
March 7, 2019 at 6:59 am
Have you named your unnamed strategy yet? I’ve been using this strategy for years. I think you should call it K.N.O.W.S. K – Know N – Need OW – (Organise) Plan and Work S – Solution
September 2, 2019 at 11:18 am
Going off of your idea, Natalie, how about the following?
K now N eed to find out O rganize (a plan – may involve a picture, a graphic organizer…) W ork S ee if you’re right (does it make sense, is the math done correctly…)
I love the K & N steps…so much more tangible than just “Read” or even “Understand,” as I’ve been seeing is most common in the processes I’ve been researching. I like separating the “Work” and “See” steps. I feel like just “Solve” May lead to forgetting the checking step.
March 16, 2020 at 4:44 pm
I’m doing this one. Love it. Thank you!!
September 17, 2019 at 7:14 am
Hi, I wanted to tell you how amazing and kind you are to share with all of us. I especially like your word problem graphic organizer that you created yourself! I am adopting it this week. We have a meeting with all administrators to discuss algebra. I am going to share with all the people at the meeting.
I had filled out the paperwork for the number line. Is it supposed to go to my email address? Thank you again. I am going to read everything you ahve given to us. Have a wonderful Tuesday!
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If you are new to CS Unplugged, we strongly suggest you start with these activities:
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Granville middle schoolers tackle passion projects and learn problem-solving along the way
Landon Rogers, 14, admits that he procrastinated for the first six weeks of his project in his Experiential Learner Mastermind, or ELM, class at Granville Middle School.
“I was, like, barely doing anything,” said Rogers, an 8th grader.
He also didn’t realize exactly what he was signing up for when he selected the class taught by language arts teacher James Browder.
“I thought at the beginning of the year, he was like, 'go free,' and we got to do whatever we want,” Rogers said.
Instead, Rogers ended up learning about entrepreneurship, sending emails, etiquette and how to talk to people. Because of that, he’s given out more than 100 free lunches through his project, Smiles for Food.
Browder said the semester-long class asks students to tackle big projects they care about. Because students choose the projects, they’re driven in a way that they aren’t in a traditional classroom.
“And they do amazing things,” Browder said.
“They can do really big things right now and for the rest of their lives."
Motivation through freedom
Browder got the idea for the class after reading the book “Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us” by Daniel Pink. It’s a business book that talks about the value of giving employees autonomy.
Browder ran with the idea, giving his language arts students Fridays to work on projects that interested them. That eventually turned into the dedicated ELM class, which Browder has been teaching for three years.
“Every year I'm nervous. Is it going to work? Is it going to take off? Was that a fluke? And it, you know, just is a homerun every year,” Browder said.
Granville is a high achieving school district. It earned five stars on the most recent state report card, but Browder said like any school, the district sometimes struggles with engagement. He also pointed to a rise in mental health problems among students.
“And I think that’s due to a lack of agency and kids feeling like they have no control,” Browder said.
So in ELM, Browder gives them as much control as he can. Browder said failure IS an option for students, but most of the time, when they’re faced with roadblocks, they pivot.
Smiles for Food
Rogers, whose grandmother runs a food truck, originally wanted to use a food truck to deliver free meals in Newark, but he found out he couldn’t legally do that.
"Apparently it's, like, super unsanitary. If, like, there was a kid to do it. It has to be an adult,” Rogers said.
So, he changed course: last semester, he and his classmates bagged 50 lunches. Rogers passed them out at the St. Vincent DePaul center in Newark.
“They were super thankful, and it made me feel super good,” Rogers said.
He enjoyed the project so much that he took ELM again this semester. He and his classmates bagged up to 100 lunches on Thursday and will do 100 more before the school year is over.
Letting a project Flow
Seventh-grader Mia Myers is also in ELM. For her project, she wanted to put dispensers for pads and tampons in the middle school bathrooms. She first saw a pad dispenser a few years ago and thought it was a great idea.
“Pads and tampons are like toilet paper. I mean, like, it's a basic necessity. I think they should be free and everywhere,” Myers said.
But, one day, dispensers “magically” appeared at the school. She thought her project was ruined.
“And then Mr. Browder was like, well, it's like, not really ruined. I mean, there's no products in the town anywhere,” she said.
So, Myers teamed up with Columbus-based Aunt Flow to put menstrual products in the bathrooms at several Granville restaurants, including Harvest Pizzeria, Station and Three Tigers Brewing Co.
Aunt Flow was started by Claire Coder, who launched the business when she was 18. Myers worked with an Aunt Flow sales representative to set up accounts with the Granville businesses. Myers also got to talk with Coder in a digital meeting.
Browder said it takes passion to put yourself and an idea out there. At 14 years old, Myers wasn’t bothered by the taboo around menstrual products or the many ignored emails from local businesses.
“And it literally is changing the world for women who live in our community in a pretty profound way,” Browder said.
Perseverance
Then there’s Adam Schmitt. He loves sports and wanted to make sure anyone could play, even if they couldn’t afford equipment.
“So, I decided to make, this basically Goodwill for sports equipment,” Schmitt said.
Schmitt cut the ribbon on his equipment shed in Raccoon Valley Park a few months ago. It’s stocked with baseball bats and gloves, lacrosse sticks, cleats and more.
Schmitt, however, didn’t finish the project while he was in Browder’s class. The project got tied up while he waited to get a grant from the Michael Dean Gibbs Foundation. The foundation gives money to kids to pursue activities and community projects.
As the semester ended, Browder gave Schmitt the opportunity to quit, but he didn’t give up.
Schmitt eventually got the grant, and he and his dad spent their Sundays last fall finishing the shed, which started as a three-sided building on loan from the Granville Recreation Department.
“Actually, it was built for housing porta-potties,” Schmitt laughed. “So, yeah, making something creative out of something that wasn't supposed to be creative.”
That kind of creativity and problem-solving is exactly what Browder wants his students to remember.
“We give them these artificial finish lines of, you know, degrees and things that we tell them they need,” Browder said. “They can do really big things right now and for the rest of their lives. And they’ll have at least somewhat of a framework of how to do that.”
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Home » Blog » Lesson Plans » Conversation Skills Game for Middle School
Conversation Skills Game for Middle School
In the dynamic world of middle school education, developing strong communication skills is crucial. These skills are not only fundamental for academic success but also for personal growth and social interactions. Middle school speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are constantly on the lookout for innovative tools that can motivate and engage students in meaningful ways. One such tool is “Operation Pizza,” a conversation skills game for middle school students. This interactive game integrates the excitement of racing against the clock and working together to deliver pizzas with the practical application of conversation skills. This blog explores how “Operation Pizza” can be a game-changer in speech-language therapy sessions.
The Importance of Conversation Skills in Middle School
Conversation skills are more than just the ability to speak to others; they involve listening, interpreting social cues, responding appropriately, and understanding the nuances of verbal and non-verbal communication. For middle schoolers, who are navigating a complex social landscape, these skills are vital. They help students build relationships, resolve conflicts, and express themselves clearly. SLPs play a critical role in teaching these skills, especially to students who struggle with communication challenges.
Introducing a Conversation Skills Game for Middle School
“Operation Pizza” is a highly engaging conversation skills game where students work in teams to “create” and “deliver” pizzas. The game is designed to simulate a fast-paced pizza shop environment where each team member must communicate effectively to complete their orders on time. This setting provides a fun and relatable context for students to practice and hone their communication skills.
Educational Benefits of Operation Pizza
Promotes teamwork and social interaction.
By working in a team, students learn the importance of cooperation and verbal exchange. They gain experience in managing interpersonal dynamics in a supportive, structured environment.
Develops Problem-Solving Skills
The game’s fast-paced nature forces students to think on their feet and solve problems quickly, all while communicating their thoughts and actions to their teammates.
Builds Confidence
As students engage in repeated gameplay, they become more comfortable with speaking up and sharing their ideas. This confidence can translate into improved participation in class discussions and other social settings.
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Operation Pizza is more than just a game; it’s a powerful tool for middle school speech-language pathologists seeking to enrich their students’ communication abilities. Through the engaging context of making and delivering pizzas, students practice crucial conversation skills that are essential for their academic and social success. By incorporating this game into your speech therapy toolkit, you can provide a fun and effective way for students to learn, grow, and express themselves more confidently.
Sample Video
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Related Blog Posts:
Lesson Plan: Starting a Conversation
3 Activities for Teaching Basic Conversation Skills
Free High School Basic Conversation Skills Material
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1. TeacherVision's Problem Solving Lesson. TeacherVision is a digital resource that offers free online lesson plans, including a problem solving lesson. This problem solving lesson has two key objectives: Students will be introduced to a problem-solving procedure. Students will participate in a structured practice of resolving conflict.
3. 4. 5. TED-Ed lessons on the subject Problem Solving. TED-Ed celebrates the ideas of teachers and students around the world. Discover hundreds of animated lessons, create customized lessons, and share your big ideas.
Problem-solving skills are important to the building of critical thinking, which in turn strengthens student executive function. Good problem solvers can build stronger cognitive flexibility, a critical component of executive functioning. The teenage years are a crucial time for neuroplasticity, so it is a prime time for learning and developing important cognitive skills along with …
Related Skills. Problem-solving is closely connected to several other essential social-emotional learning skills, including: Empathy: Understanding the feelings and perspectives of others can help students develop more effective solutions to interpersonal problems. Communication: Clear and respectful communication is crucial for presenting and ...
Sudoku: Introduce sudoku puzzles as a fun and challenging math-based activity. 4. Chess Club: Encourage students to participate in chess clubs or tournaments to practice strategic thinking. 5. Escape Rooms: Plan an age-appropriate escape room activity to develop teamwork and problem-solving skills among the students. 6.
8. Mission to Mars. Following a storyline, task your students with completing various STEM challenges, including understanding chemical reactions through a Coke and Mentos experiment as part of a Mars emergency. Teamwork, engineering design, and the use of science topics in real life are all addressed. 9.
Free Resources for Any Middle School Math Concept. MATHCOUNTS provides many free problem sets, videos, lesson plans and activities that can complement in-person and online learning. We've categorized some of the best resources for several middle school math topics: Arithmetic Skills. Introduction to Counting.
Tip #2- Focus on quality over quantity. Quality over quantity is going to mean different things for different teachers, depending on the number of students, the length of your class period and even the different concepts being covered. Here is one example for helping students focus on "sense-making" in a problem.
Introduction. Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) is a crucial aspect of education that helps students develop essential life skills, such as problem-solving, empathy, and effective communication. In this blog post, we introduce an engaging activity called "Solve It," designed to help middle school students improve their problem-solving abilities.
4. 5. TED-Ed lessons on the subject Critical Thinking. TED-Ed celebrates the ideas of teachers and students around the world. Discover hundreds of animated lessons, create customized lessons, and share your big ideas.
2. Problem-solving as a group. Have your students create and decorate a medium-sized box with a slot in the top. Label the box "The Problem-Solving Box.". Invite students to anonymously write down and submit any problem or issue they might be having at school or at home, ones that they can't seem to figure out on their own.
Lesson #3: Find Solutions. Open Google Slides Edit This Activity Sheet. Using Google Slides, you can customize every Overcoming Obstacles activity sheet in the Elementary, Middle, and High School levels. Click on the button below to open a link to the Google Slides version of this activity sheet. In order to begin editing the file, you will ...
Overcoming Obstacles is a free, award-winning, and research-based K-12 curriculum that provides you with the tools to teach your students life skills. With hundreds of activity-based lessons covering more than 30 skills, students learn how to communicate effectively. They learn how to make informed decisions.
Critical thinking is the process of using higher-order thinking skills in which students observe, conceptualize, apply, evaluate, and synthesize information that they learn in order to solve problems and make decisions effectively. Critical thinking is crucial for middle school students to be equipped to respond to academic, social, and emotional challenges successfully.
Step 1: Understand the Problem. The first step is for students to understand the problem itself. Depending on the nature of the problem, this could require additional research. For example, if the ...
10. Connect students with change makers. Entrepreneurs all over the world are using the processes students use in GPS: The Series. Put your students in touch with them to bring concepts to life. GPS: The Series offers six videos called "The Putri Files", where GPS team leader Putri interviews these entrepreneurs.
Problem solving is an important skill for students to obtain. The only way to really gain this skill is to practice it; students learn while doing and watching others. Middle school students are ...
This is a great strategy to teach when you are tackling various types of problems. Why I don't like it: Though I love the opportunity for students to write in math, writing a strategy statement for every problem can eat up a lot of time. 3. U.P.S. CHECK. U.P.S. Check stands for understand, plan, solve, and check.
Problem-solving is a skill that can be taught and developed. By incorporating problem-solving lessons into the curriculum, we can provide students with the necessary tools and strategies to approach challenges confidently. One way to teach problem-solving is to provide opportunities for hands-on activities.
We are providing complete lesson plans for use in your classrooms. Each lesson is intended to be used in a single 50-60 minute class period, but can be altered to suit individual needs. If you are new to CS Unplugged, we strongly suggest you start with these activities: Representing Information: Binary Numbers, Image Representation, Cryptography.
Give your students higher-level thinking activities! This set of Brain Teasers includes 40 full pages with more than 400 activities to promote critical thinking! These are perfect as an educational but fun activity for transitions or any time you'd like to stretch your students' thinking! You can use them for fast finishers, enrichment, morning ...
Lesson Plan - How to Teach Problem Solving to Middle School Students. Students grades 6-8 can benefit from this free middle school problem solving worksheet! We suggest introducing the lesson by talking about the 5 Problem Solving Steps reviewed in our video modeling lessons or going over the Problem Scale with this goal poster.
Granville Middle School eighth grader Landon Rogers, 14, started the non-profit "Smiles for Food" as his project for his Experiential Learner Mastermind class with teacher James Browder. Last year Landon handed out 50 free meals at St. Vincent DePaul in Newark. This year, he'll hand out 200.
Middle School Size of the Problem Worksheet. Download Activity and Lesson Plan. As school counselors, one of our key responsibilities is equipping students with essential life skills. Problem-solving is a crucial skill that empowers individuals to overcome challenges and find effective solutions. However, before students can tackle a problem ...
Middle school speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are constantly on the lookout for innovative tools that can motivate and engage students in meaningful ways. ... Develops Problem-Solving Skills. The game's fast-paced nature forces students to think on their feet and solve problems quickly, all while communicating their thoughts and actions ...