Problem Solving Skills

Everyone from the cashier at the store to the elected officials in office give lip service to the need for this generation to be problem solvers.  Yet everyday across our nation teachers spend the day instructing for a test.  Sure, there are some classrooms using project based learning, but unless that project is generated by the individuals in that particular classroom the problem they are working to solve could and probably is meaningless to them.  

How do I know?

I am a recovering public school teacher.  Do not send the angry emails just yet.  I am not placing the blame on teachers but instead our system.  This system that has everyone learning at the same rate across the country in order to fulfill common core standards.  

Instead of complaining about the restraints of the system, let's discuss a solution.  

Time spent solving problems.  Homeschooling offers this time.  Each kid, tween, and teen has interests and problems to solve in these areas of interest.  If you think they don't just wait a minute and a frustration will pop up.  Use that opportunity to develop problem solving skills.  

My son loves watching a guy carve wooden crank baits on YouTube, so part of his Christmas included a carving kit with wooden blocks.  So taking the knowledge from the videos, he was able to create his own baits solving the problems as they occurred from roughness to shape.  He was able to research types of wood, attributes of given wood, and what would work best to fit his needs.  Instead of passively filling in a worksheet to complete, he was invested and took that knowledge and experience elsewhere in his learning.  

Did we set out to complete standards in research, technical reading, physics, marine life, food web, and botany?  No.  Did he dive into these areas as part of his desire to carve baits? Yes.  Did he retain areas of learning in this experience? Time will tell, but I am betting so.