Ticky Plans His Trip to Antarctica to See Tacky

Summary

Students participate in a Creative Problem Solving Activity to get from Utah to the Atlantic Ocean.

Materials

• Creative Problem Solving Activity (pdf)
• Problem Solving Process Cards (pdf)
• One sheet 18 x 24 chart paper (lined or unlined)
• Three sheets 12 x 18 white construction paper
• Continent Outlines (pdf)
• A world globe and map

Additional Resources

Books

• Creative Problem Solving for an Eency Weency Spider, by GretchenDuling (D.O.K. publishers, published in 1983; ISBN 0-88047-025-9
• OOPS-a Daisy, by Lynn Kock and Monica Lobser (OOPS Creativity Machine, 6875 West David Ave. Littleton, CO 80128, (303) 973-1028)
• CPS for Kids, by Bob Eberle and Bob Stanish; ISBN 1882664264

Background for Teachers

A trip to Antarctica from Utah takes map skills and planning. Ticky went to Jr. Map School to get map skills. A globe or map can help him see where Antarctica is located. The process of creative problem solving can help him have a successful trip.

Intended Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate a positive learning attitude.
2. Develop social skills and ethical responsibility.
5. Understand and use basic concepts and skills.
6. Communicate clearly in oral, artistic, written, and nonverbal form.

Instructional Procedures

Invitation to Learn
Ticky now knows where Antarctica is located. He wants to get to Antarctica by swimming in the Atlantic Ocean. However, Ticky is in Utah. He has to solve the problem of getting to the Atlantic Ocean. (Continued from Ticky Goes to Jr. Map School)

Instructional Procedures

1. Students participate in a Creative Problem Solving Activity to help Ticky get to the Atlantic Ocean.
2. Introduce and explain the creative problem solving process steps using the story of Ticky the Penguin and the Problem Solving Process Cards.
   1. Identify the problem.
   2. State the facts that we know.
   3. Brainstorm possible solutions.
   4. Evaluate possible solutions.
   5. Choose the solution to Ticky’s problem.

Extensions

• Interactive Writing—Write the steps Ticky takes to get to Antarctica. Cut the sentences apart and make a book with the children illustrating the pictures.
• Use the creative problem solving process to plan a walking/bus field trip.

Family Connections

• Plan a family vacation to a favorite place. Where will you go? What will you need? How will you get there? What will you see? How will you tell others about your trip (e.g., pictures, family journal, souvenirs, etc.)?
• Have a family member/relative/friend send a postcard to the school with a child’s name on it (in care of the teacher). On a map, find the city, state, or country that is on the postcard.

Assessment Plan

• Observe student participation during the creative problem solving process.
• Have the children label North America, Atlantic Ocean, and Antarctica on a map.
• Have the children write or tell about Ticky’s trip to Antarctica.