Lesson 5 - Creative Problem Solving
Trust & Creative Challenges
•Year 5
•Outdoor Adventurous Activities
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How can creative thinking and teamwork help us overcome challenges that seem impossible?
Learning Objectives
- Develop creative problem-solving skills through engineering challenges
- Build trust and cooperation through physical trust activities
- Apply imagination and ingenuity to complete complex tasks
Key Outcomes
- Students will create innovative structures using limited materials
- Students will demonstrate trust and support for teammates
- Students will reflect on different teamwork strategies
Equipment & Resources Required
Distribute evenly along playing area sides
Alternative: Bean bags, tennis balls, foam balls
One bag per team of 3 students
Alternative: Wooden skewers, drinking straws
One bag per team, check for allergies
Alternative: Play dough, small soft balls, grapes
Spread around hall for team workspaces
Alternative: Marked floor areas, table space
For measuring tower heights accurately
Alternative: Rulers, metre sticks
Key Vocabulary
Using science and maths to design and build structures
Believing someone will keep you safe and support you
How well a structure stays upright and doesn't fall over
Working together effectively to achieve a shared goal
Creating new and original ideas or solutions
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic teamwork and communication skills
- Understanding of safety in physical activities
- Experience with simple problem-solving tasks
Current Skills
- Creative engineering and design thinking
- Trust-building through physical challenges
- Collaborative problem-solving strategies
Next Steps
- Complex multi-stage OAA challenges
- Leadership roles in outdoor activities
- Advanced team strategy development
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Trust must be built gradually and maintained through consistent support
- Creative engineering requires both planning and experimentation
- Different challenges require different types of teamwork and communication
- Safety in trust activities depends on everyone following rules carefully
- Problem-solving improves when teams share ideas and try multiple approaches
- Reflection helps consolidate learning about teamwork and trust building
- Real-world connections make abstract engineering concepts more meaningful
Common Misconceptions
- Taller towers are always better - emphasis should be on stability and design
- Trust activities are just games - they develop real life social skills
- Only one person needs to lead - successful teams need everyone's contribution
- Planning wastes building time - good planning actually saves time and improves results
- Trust means closing your eyes - trust is about relying on others responsibly
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Regular movement breaks, clear boundaries and rules, fidget tools available during reflection
dyspraxia
- Simplified building techniques, extra time for construction, partner support available
autism spectrum
- Clear structure and routine, quiet spaces available, predictable activity sequence
visual impairment
- Use verbal descriptions for building techniques, partner guidance during trust activities, textured materials for building
hearing impairment
- Visual demonstrations of all techniques, written instruction cards, visual signals for timing
physical disability
- Seated building option, adapted trust activities, alternative roles in active games
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Communication skills, collaborative discussion, presenting ideas clearly
Maths
3D shapes and structures, measurement and comparison, problem-solving strategies
Science
Forces and structures, stability and centre of gravity, materials and their properties
PSHE
Building relationships, trust and responsibility, resilience and perseverance
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move between activities to ensure clear view of all groups, position near trust circles during those activities
Observation Focus
Watch for genuine trust development, creative problem-solving approaches, and inclusive teamwork
Intervention Points
Step in if trust activities become unsafe, support teams struggling with communication, guide groups stuck in building process
Demonstration Notes
Show proper trust circle technique, model problem-solving thinking aloud, demonstrate safe throwing technique
Verbal Cues
- •'Remember to stay rigid like a plank!'
- •'Test your tower as you build!'
- •'What would an engineer do here?'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Large hall or gym, minimum 15m x 10m clear area
Surface Check
Non-slip surface, clear of debris and obstacles
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check spaghetti for sharp broken pieces
- •Confirm marshmallows are fresh and allergy-safe
- •Ensure softballs are appropriately soft
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Falls during trust activities
- •Collisions during tunnel activity
- •Choking if materials are eaten
- •Sharp spaghetti pieces causing cuts
Risk Mitigation
- •Maintain close supervision during trust activities
- •Clear rules about below-waist throwing only
- •Strict no-eating policy for building materials
- •Regular checks for broken spaghetti pieces
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position near trust circles during circle activities
- •Monitor throwing games for rule compliance
- •Circulate during building to check progress and safety
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately if anyone feels unsafe, have first aid kit accessible, clear evacuation routes