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      • Effective Reasoning
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    • Teaching and Assessing Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving >
      • Define: Rubrics
      • Teach: Thinking Routines
      • Assess: Performance Tasks
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  • Home
  • Outcomes
    • Critical Thinking & Problem Solving >
      • Effective Reasoning
      • Decision Making
      • Problem Solving
    • Character
    • Collaboration & Communication
  • Instructional Practices
    • Arts Integration
    • Critique
    • Learning Expeditions
    • Problem-Based Tasks in Math
    • Student-Led Conferences
    • Student-Led IEPs
    • Teaching and Assessing Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving >
      • Define: Rubrics
      • Teach: Thinking Routines
      • Assess: Performance Tasks
  • Two Rivers Learning Institute
    • Two Rivers Learning Institute Faculty
    • Professional Development Offerings
  • Blog
  • CAREERS
  • Contact

Problem Solving

Problem solving is the ability to identify the key questions in a problem, to develop possible plans for solving, to follow through on those plans, and to evaluate both the success of the plan and the solution.
Two Rivers leaders and teachers define and share their practice around problem solving.
DEFINING
PROBLEM
​SOLVING

We have developed a rubric that defines problem solving.  For more information about how we DEFINE critical thinking and problem solving skills, click here.
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TEACHING
PROBLEM
​SOLVING
The K-W-I is a thinking routine that we use to teach students about problem solving.

The K stands for “Know” and requires students to identify what they already know about a problem. The goal in this step of the routine is two-fold. First, the student needs to analyze the problem and identify what is happening within the context of the problem. Second, the student needs to activate their background knowledge about that context or other similar problems.

The W stands for “What” a student needs find out to solve the problem. At this point in the routine the student always must identify the core question that is being asked in a problem or task. However it may also include other questions that help a student access and understand a problem more deeply.

The I stands for “Ideas” and refers to ideas that a student brings to the table to solve a problem effectively. In this portion of the routine, student list the strategies that they will use to solve a problem.


For more information about how we TEACH critical thinking skills, click here.
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This anchor chart from a 5th grade classroom helps students remember the KWI thinking routine.
ASSESSING
PROBLEM
SOLVING
Performance tasks assess students' ability to solve problems, not their ability to learn content quickly nor complete grade-level academic work.  For more information about how we ASSESS critical thinking, click here.
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PS-PK Problem Solving Task
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4-5 Problem Solving Task
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K-1 Problem Solving Task
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6-8 Problem Solving Task
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2-3 Problem Solving Task
Two Rivers Public Charter School's mission is to nurture a diverse group of students to become lifelong, active participants in their own education, develop a sense of self and community, and become responsible and compassionate members of society.
Learn With Two Rivers is supported by a generous grant from the Office of the State Superintendent of Education to support the dissemination of best practices with DC-area educators. 
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Copyright • Two Rivers Public Charter School