This practical book discusses the specific critical and creative thinking skills that go into confronting life's inevitable dilemmas, including those frequently faced at school. Organized for easy classroom use, the book introduces a five-step plan for handling almost any situation — from defining the problem, through considering possibilities and choosing the best option, to taking action and evaluating decisions. Concrete examples throughout the book offer simple suggestions for talking with students about problem-solving, modeling strategies, and reinforcing effective problem-solving techniques. Teacher-specific tips help instructors find ways to incorporate problem-solving skills into everyday lessons, and an easy-to-use mini unit delineates steps for a self-contained lesson on problem-solving.

Kathy Paterson is a teacher consultant in the areas of motivation, language arts, and drama. A former teacher and drama specialist, Kathy has over 35 years of classroom experience and is involved in teacher training with several universities. A popular speaker and writer on topics that range from differentiation to effective learning practices, Kathy's books have been translated in the Czech Republic, Germany, Holland, Indonesia, Lithuania, Portugal, Slovenia, and Sweden. Kathy lives in Edmonton, Alberta.

Kathy Paterson's profile page