Brainstorming Solutions: Creative IdeasActivities & Teaching Strategies
Active brainstorming strengthens creative confidence because students learn that problems have many possible answers. When children share and build on each other’s ideas in real time, they see that collaboration sparks better solutions than working alone.
Learning Objectives
- 1Design multiple potential solutions for a given problem using drawings or models.
- 2Compare the feasibility of different brainstormed solutions based on materials and ease of creation.
- 3Explain why generating a wide range of ideas is beneficial for solving problems.
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Think-Pair-Share: Toy Path Challenge
Pose a problem like designing a toy path that avoids spills. Students think alone for 2 minutes and sketch one idea, pair up to share and add a second idea each, then share one combined solution with the class. Display sketches for a class vote on favourites.
Prepare & details
Design multiple potential solutions for a given problem.
Facilitation Tip: During the Think-Pair-Share, circulate to make sure every child contributes an idea before pairing begins, ensuring quiet voices are heard.
Setup: Standard classroom seating; students turn to a neighbor
Materials: Discussion prompt (projected or printed), Optional: recording sheet for pairs
Round Robin: Lunchbox Solutions
In small groups, present a lunchbox access problem. Each student adds one sketched idea to a shared poster in 1-minute turns over 10 minutes, then discusses which three ideas seem most feasible based on materials and steps needed.
Prepare & details
Compare the feasibility of different brainstormed solutions.
Facilitation Tip: For the Round Robin, set a timer so each group has equal turns and prevent over-talkers from dominating the discussion.
Setup: Chairs in a circle or small group clusters
Materials: Discussion prompt, Speaking object (optional, e.g., talking stick), Recording sheet
Idea Storm Circle: Playground Fix
Sit in a whole-class circle for a playground problem. Use a talking stick: each child shares one verbal idea and draws it quickly on paper, passing to the next. After 15 minutes, review and star the top five ideas together.
Prepare & details
Justify why a wide range of ideas is beneficial in problem-solving.
Facilitation Tip: In the Idea Storm Circle, remind students to build on others’ ideas by saying ‘Yes, and…’ to keep the flow positive and inclusive.
Setup: Charts posted on walls with space for groups to stand
Materials: Large chart paper (one per prompt), Markers (different color per group), Timer
Sketch Relay: Helper Robot
Pairs design a classroom helper robot. One partner sketches for 3 minutes, then swaps to add features. Repeat twice, discuss feasibility, and present one final combined drawing to the group.
Prepare & details
Design multiple potential solutions for a given problem.
Facilitation Tip: During the Sketch Relay, provide only one marker per pair so partners must take turns, ensuring both voices shape the final drawing.
Setup: Charts posted on walls with space for groups to stand
Materials: Large chart paper (one per prompt), Markers (different color per group), Timer
Teaching This Topic
Start with low-stakes problems students care about, like toys on the floor or messy pencil cases. Model your own messy first sketches so they see that rough ideas lead to better ones. Research shows that quantity in brainstorming increases quality, so aim for multiple quick sketches rather than perfect drawings. Avoid praising only the ‘best’ idea; instead, highlight the variety and how ideas connect or improve.
What to Expect
Successful learning shows when students generate multiple distinct solutions, explain their ideas clearly, and value others’ contributions. By the end of the activities, children should confidently sketch or model at least three different approaches to a simple problem.
These activities are a starting point. A full mission is the experience.
- Complete facilitation script with teacher dialogue
- Printable student materials, ready for class
- Differentiation strategies for every learner
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
Common MisconceptionDuring Think-Pair-Share, students may believe the first idea shared is the only good one.
What to Teach Instead
After pairs share, call on two different groups who had the same problem but different solutions. Ask, ‘How are these ideas alike or different?’ to show multiple paths work.
Common MisconceptionDuring Round Robin, students may assume the first solution mentioned is the best.
What to Teach Instead
Pause the activity after two rounds to ask, ‘Which idea so far sounds easiest to make? Why?’ Then continue to show that later ideas can be just as practical.
Common MisconceptionDuring Idea Storm Circle, children may hesitate to share because they think their idea must be perfect.
What to Teach Instead
Model sharing a quick, silly idea first. Then remind the group that everyone’s first try is welcome; write all ideas on the board regardless of quality.
Assessment Ideas
After Think-Pair-Share, collect each pair’s two favorite ideas on a sticky note and group similar solutions. Ask students to look for patterns and tell you which problems had the most ideas.
During Round Robin, after all groups have shared, ask, ‘Which solution would take the least time to try tomorrow? Why do we need more than one idea?’ Listen for answers that compare feasibility and value of multiple options.
After Idea Storm Circle, hand out cards and ask students to draw or write one idea they heard that they liked best. Collect to check if they can identify a single idea and explain why it stood out to them.
Extensions & Scaffolding
- Challenge: Ask students to combine two of their favorite ideas from any activity into a hybrid solution and present it to the class.
- Scaffolding: Provide sentence starters like ‘One way to fix this is…’ or pre-printed simple shapes to trace if sketching feels overwhelming.
- Deeper exploration: Invite students to test their top two ideas in a quick prototype using classroom recyclables, then compare which worked better in practice.
Key Vocabulary
| Brainstorming | A group creativity technique used to find a conclusion for a specific problem by gathering a list of ideas spontaneously contributed by its members. |
| Divergent Thinking | A thought process used to generate creative ideas by exploring many possible solutions. It involves thinking broadly and exploring multiple possibilities. |
| Feasibility | The likelihood that a proposed solution can be successfully carried out, considering resources like materials, time, and ease of construction. |
| Solution | An answer or method for dealing with a problem or difficulty. |
Suggested Methodologies
More in Solving Problems with Technology
Identifying Problems Around Us
Students will learn to identify simple problems in their daily lives or community that could potentially be solved with technology.
2 methodologies
Defining Computational Problems
Learning to define computational problems, identify their key components, and determine if they can be solved effectively with technology.
3 methodologies
The Design Process: Plan, Create, Improve
Learning to plan, create, and improve a project through iterative design cycles.
3 methodologies
Building Prototypes: Making Ideas Real
Creating simple physical or digital prototypes of solutions using various materials.
2 methodologies
Testing and Fixing: Debugging Strategies
Identifying errors in a process and finding ways to correct them, introducing basic debugging concepts.
3 methodologies
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