What Works? - Introduction - Worksheets That Build Problem-Solving and Creative Thinking

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Aria

What Works? presents an early-childhood approach that shifts from teaching isolated facts to developing thinking through problem solving, predicting, observing, and creative invention. The book introduces multiple worksheet formats, including cut-and-paste activities, drawing solutions, completing sequences, and making predictions. It also offers supplemental guidance such as problem-solving art using “grab bags,” problem-solving stories with guided discussion, physical “Can You Do’s?” activities, and movement-and-music games to strengthen language, reasoning, and collaboration.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages68

Reading Time2 h 51 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Worksheet Formats

Cut and Paste to Invent

Draw to Solve a Problem

Complete the Sequence

Cut and Paste to Predict

Supplemental Activities

Problem-solving Art

Problem-solving Stories

Can You Do's?

Movement and Music Activities

momdg RO8LEM SeLN WhatWorks?FORK-3by Ellen Booth Church,illustrated by Corbin Hillam momdag WhatWorks? By Ellen Booth Churchlllustrated by Corbin Hillam Publisher:Roberta Suid Editor:Elizabeth Russell Design:David Hale Production:Mary Francis Entire contents copyright 1984 by Monday MorningBooks,Box 1680,Palo Alto,California 94302 Permission is hereby granted to reproducestudent materials in this book for non-commercialindividual or classroom use. ISBN 0-912107-15-4 Printed in the United States of America 87 65432 # INTRODUCTION In recent years,early childhood educa-tors have seen a push for teaching basicskills.This back-to-basics movement hascaused some parents,administrators,andteachers.to concentrate on teaching veryyoung children information such as letters,numbers,shapes,and colors in hopes ofimproving their chances of success in laterlife.Unfortunately,this approach produceschildren who know many facts but who donot know what to do with them. Children need many opportunities tothink.Without practice in solving problems,observing,predicting,and thinking cre-atively,all their information will be of littleuse.Applying their knowledge to solvingproblems and thought-provoking activitiesenhances their ability to face a situation inthe"real world"and figure out what to do. What Works?features a variety of work-sheets which challenge children to solveproblems,invent,and think creatively.Chil-dren will enjoy tackling a problem,thencomparing ideas with friends who did thesame worksheet.In this way,children willsee that there are often many ways of deal-ing with a problem and that sometimesthere is no single correct answer.Theseworksheets can be taken out of the bookand reproduced so that many children cantry the same problem or invention. Discussion is one of the most importantparts of using these worksheets.Childrencan draw what they have in mind,but it isessential for them to verbalize theirideas.Inthis way,language increases their thinkingskills.What Works?also features designsfor games and bulletin boards to developproblem-solving and creative thinkingabilities. # Worksheet Formats The worksheets are grouped according tothese formats: ●Cut and Paste to Invent.In each situation,a new invention is needed to solve a prob- lem.Children cut out and paste several pic-ture elements of the new invention,then addtheir own drawings to complete it. ● Draw to Solve a Problem.On each work-sheet,children draw a solution to a prob-lem,then discuss their ideas. ● Complete the Sequence.Each page tellsthe story of a problem which needs to besolved.Three of four parts are shown.Chil-dren fill in the fourth part with their ownsolutions to the problem. ● Cut and Paste to Predict.Each worksheetasks children to make a prediction about adifferent situation.After cutting and pastingseveral picture elements,children completethe prediction with their own drawings. # Supplemental Activities ● Problem-solving Art."Grab Bag Art"isan open-ended activity which asks childrento think creatively.Fill brown paper lunchbags with a variety of discarded materials,such as empty food containers,fabricscraps,paper towel rolls,etc.Childrenchoose a sealed "grab bag"and empty itscontents on a tray.They must figure out away to use these materials to make a tool,an animal,a vehicle,a house,or whateverother theme you designate. ● Problem-solving Stories.Books for chil-dren often present a character with a prob-lem to be solved by the end of the story.Read such a story to the group but stop atthe climax,where the problem builds upand a solution must be found.Ask childrenhow they would solve the problem.Use thisquestion for a class discussion or as adrawing assignment.Children can sharetheir art with the group or display it on abulletin board.Several good books areWhat Do You Do with a Kangaroo?andThere's A Nightmare in My Closet byMercer Mayer,Monty by James Stevenson,and Little Fox Goes to the End of the Worldby Ann

FAQs

Why does the book move away from a facts-first approach for young children?

It argues that teaching only letters, numbers, shapes, and colors produces children who know many facts but cannot apply them. Children need practice in problem solving and creative thinking so the knowledge becomes useful in real-life situations.

What worksheet formats are included in What Works?

The book groups worksheets into formats such as Cut and Paste to Invent, Draw to Solve a Problem, Complete the Sequence, and Cut and Paste to Predict, each designed to prompt thinking and discussion.

How do supplemental activities support children beyond the worksheets?

Supplemental activities extend problem-solving through open-ended art (“grab bag” tools and creations), guided problem-solving stories, physical Can You Do’s?, and movement-and-music games that require freezing, changing roles, and forming group machines.

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Aria