CPS for Teens: Classroom Activities for Teaching Creative Problem Solving

This book offers teachers plenty of ready-to-use activities for introducing teens to Creative Problem Solving. Designed by a classroom teacher, the exercises in this book have been field-tested with students in grades 6-12. Each activity provides an opportunity to broaden your students' understanding of the problem-solving process and, in turn, expand their future options as they apply the process to real-world issues.

Creative Problem Solving is a process that allows people to apply both creative and critical thinking to find solutions to everyday problems. CPS can eliminate the tendency to approach problems in a haphazard manner and, consequently, prevents surprises and/or disappointment with the solution.

The authors designed these activities specifically to be relevant for adolescents. Activities focus on issues such as gaining more independence, dealing with conflict, and evaluating interests and talents. The exercises encourage both creative and critical thinking. The book provides a set of suggestions for teachers and then presents 31 reproducible classroom activities, each of which can be completed in 30-40 minutes.

For more information on Creative Problem Solving, refer to Creative Problem Solving: An Introduction, Creative Problem Solving for Kids, CPS for Kids, CPS in the Classroom, and the Creative Problem Solver's Guidebook.

Grades 6-12

Patricia A. Elwell, Ph.D., is the author of CPS for Teens: Classroom Activities for Teaching Creative Problem Solving.

Scott Isaksen, Ph.D., is president of the Creative Problem Solving Group and senior fellow of its Creativity Research Unit. A former professor and director of the Center for Studies in Creativity at Buffalo State College, he has published more than 175 books, articles, and chapters in books. He has provided consultation and training on leadership and creativity for more than 400 organizations in 24 different countries around the world. Isaksen serves on the board of the Center for Creative Learning, is a member of the Association for Psychological Type, the American Psychological Association, and the Product Development Management Association. He has served as a consulting editor for the Journal of Creative Behavior since 1983 and is a visiting professor to various universities.