Primary 6-7
Here you can choose from a number of P6 and P7 classes and from composite classes in this age group. You can see a short video of a problem solving lesson and video clips of interviews with teachers about their approach to teaching problem solving, their planning, resources used and their recording, reporting and assessment procedures. There is accompanying text for all the sections.
Working out a class seating plan
Jan Rollo discusses her problem solving teaching. Her P6 pupils at Capshard Primary School work with their thinking partners on a problem involving seating arrangements.
Following clues to make shapes
Gillies Walker from The High School of Glasgow Junior School talks about his problem solving teaching. His Junior 6 pupils work in groups following clue cards to make a 2-D shape from cocktail sticks.
Group building and reporting back
Teresa Cairney at St Andrew’s Primary School talks about her problem solving teaching. Her P6 pupils follow a cooperative learning approach in a problem solving lesson, beginning with a group-building exercise.
Selecting the right strategy
Tom Reid discusses his problem solving teaching at St Matthew’s Primary School. His P6 pupils are asked for the first time to select an appropriate strategy for solving a problem.
Problem solving and learning in groups
Pupils in Alaister Stanner's P7 classs at Balfron Primary school say they enjoy problem solving because it's different, it's challenging and they like working in groups.
Crossing a river with role play
Kirsten O’Hagan discusses her problem solving teaching in a P7 class at George Heriot’s Junior School. A small group of P7 girls solves a problem using the ‘Act out a situation’ strategy.
Problems from FunMaths boxes
David Porteous at George Heriot’s Junior School talks about his problem solving teaching. A small group of P7 pupils select problems from the FunMaths boxes.
Making shapes with the same perimeter
Heather Cross discusses her problem solving teaching at Newington Primary School. Her P7 pupils work independently on a problem solving worksheet.
Cooperative learning with different strategies
Brendan McCloskey from St Andrew’s Primary School talks about his problem solving teaching. His P7 pupils solve problems in groups using a cooperative learning approach.
Teaching critical thinking skills
Fiona Hislop discusses her problem solving teaching. Her P6/P7 pupils at Airlie Primary School take a critical thinking approach to solving a problem.
Dividing sweets to learn about fractions
Barry Litherland from Borgue Primary School discusses his investigative approach to problem solving teaching. His P4/P5/P6/P7 class begins an investigation based around fractions.
Programming to make different shapes
Janice McVicar from Howwood Primary School talks about her problem solving teaching. Her P4/P5/P6 pupils work on computers on a Terrapin Logo problem solving activity.
Problems solved by working in stages
Jon Posnett discusses his problem solving teaching at Urafirth Primary School. His P5/P6/P7 pupils follow structured steps for solving problems in a lesson about using the ‘Working backwards’ strategy.
Technology design challenge
Lynne Hair talks about teaching problem solving at Wemyss Bay Primary School. A group of her P6/P7 pupils are challenged to design a photograph frame with a particular specification in a technology lesson.