Overview
This lesson introduces the formal problem solving process that students will use over the course of the year, Define - Prepare - Try - Reflect. The lesson begins by asking students to brainstorm all the different types of problems that they encounter in everyday life. Students are then shown the four steps of the problem solving process and work together to relate these abstract steps to their actual experiences solving problems. First students relate these steps to the aluminum boats problem from the previous lesson, then a problem they are good at solving, then a problem they want to improve at solving. At the end of the lesson the class collects a list of generally useful strategies for each step of the process to put on posters that will be used throughout the unit and year.
Purpose
This lesson aims to anchor the formal problem solving process students will use throughout the course in some real-life experiences they already have solving problems. Future units in CS Discoveries will present problems in contexts that may or may not be familiar. A structured problem solving process will be an important tool for helping students move forward in the face of novel and complex challenges.
Agenda
- Warm Up (5 min)
- Problems Brainstorm
- Activity (30 min)
- Introduce the Problem Solving Process - Worksheet Link (Click Here)
- The Problem Solving Process in Context
- Wrap Up (15 min)
- Create Posters of the Steps
- Extended Learning
- Article Discussion - "YOU ARE SOLVING THE WRONG PROBLEM" (Click Here)
Additional Information and Resources
CSTA K-12 Computer Science Standards
AP - Algorithms & Programming
- 1B-AP-08 - Compare and refine multiple algorithms for the same task and determine which is the most appropriate.
- 1B-AP-11 - Decompose (break down) problems into smaller, manageable subproblems to facilitate the program development process.
