Show your students a powerful method for thinking creatively and critically about both the academic and personal challenges they face. This book acts as a practical introduction to the Creative Problem Solving process for teachers at any grade level. Designed specifically for teachers with little or no background in CPS, each step in the process is discussed in detail and is fully illustrated with ready-to-use, reproducible activities for both elementary and secondary classrooms.

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.

Often, teachers find it difficult to infuse thinking skills and processes into the content they teach. Creative Problem Solving in the Classroom offers practical advice for teachers wanting to help students master the content of their subject area and introduce the Creative Problem Solving process, including fun, creative teaching strategies.

Creative Problem Solving in the Classroom offers innovative ways to teach problem-solving skills alongside content. Your students will use simulations, role-play, scientific surveys, multisource research, and other activities as they learn this powerful problem-solving process.

For more information on Creative Problem Solving, refer to CPS for Kids.

Educational Resource

Donald J. Treffinger, Ph.D., was the president of the Center for Creative Learning in Sarasota, FL. He earned a master's degree and a doctoral degree in educational psychology from Cornell University. Treffinger previously has been a member of the faculty at Purdue University, the University of Kansas, and Buffalo State College. He now is a member of the Gifted Child Quarterly Advisory Board and has served as editor of that journal and as editor-in-chief of Parenting for High Potential, NAGC's quarterly magazine for parents.

Treffinger is the author of more than 350 articles, chapters, and books. He has written and conducted research on the nature, assessment, and nurture of creativity and Creative Problem Solving, as well as problem-solving styles, gifted education, and talent development. He has given presentations and workshops worldwide, and served as a consultant to numerous local, state, national, and international organizations. He has received the Distinguished Service Award and the E. Paul Torrance Creativity Award from the National Association for Gifted Children, the Creativity Research Award from the World Council on the Gifted and Talented, and the Risorgimenti Creativity Award from the Destination ImagiNation program.

Carole A. Nassab is a program associate of the Center for Creative Learning. Nassab is an experienced educator who has served in numerous roles in public and private educational settings. She has been a middle school teacher, a school counselor, a principal, and a district-level administrator. Nassab has been actively involved in teacher education and professional development. She has provided training in building collaborative teams, managing change, creative and critical thinking, and Creative Problem Solving. Nassab has authored or coauthored several publications, including Thinking Tools Lessons, Thinking With Standards, Expanding Gifted Programs: The Levels of Service Approach, The Creative Problem Solving Kit, and The Talent Development Planning Handbook.